Volney E. Howard (October 22, 1809 - May 14, 1889) was an American lawyer, statesman, and jurist. He represented Texas's District 2 in the U.S. Congress from 1849 to 1853. He was the District Attorney of Los Angeles, California from 1861 to 1870, and a superior court judge beginning in 1879. He served only one term, due to the ill health that also forced him to refuse a potential nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Howard died in Santa Monica, California on May 14, 1889 and is buried at Fort Hill, Los Angeles, California. Howard County, Texas was named in his honor.