"be it as it may, notwithstanding, nevertheless, yet; notwithstanding that," late 15c., contraction of hough be hit (early 15c.), literally "how be it." Compare albeit.
Entries linking to howbeit
albeit conj.
late 14c., a contraction of al be it "al(though) it be (that);" see all be it. Chaucer also uses a past-tense form, al were it.