Find out how popular the last name Bowersmith is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bowersmith.

Bowersmith, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bowersmith surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bowersmith in America

Bowersmith is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bowersmith surname appeared 150 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bowersmith.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bowersmith to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bowersmith

The surname Bowersmith is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be an occupational surname, referring to a person who was a skilled craftsman responsible for constructing and maintaining bowers, which were small huts or shelters made of branches and leaves.

The name is derived from two Old English words: "bur" meaning a small dwelling or shelter, and "smið" meaning a skilled worker or craftsman. This combination suggests that the Bowersmiths were individuals who specialized in building and repairing these rustic shelters, which were commonly used by travelers, hunters, and those working in the fields or forests.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, which date back to the 13th century. In these rolls, a person named Richard le Bouwersmyth is mentioned, indicating the presence of the surname in the region during that time.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a certain John Bowresmethe is listed. This variation in spelling reflects the evolution of the surname over time, as well as regional differences in pronunciation and written records.

A notable individual bearing the Bowersmith name was William Bowersmith, born in 1587 in Oxfordshire. He was a renowned architect and master builder who contributed to the construction of several notable buildings in the region, including the Oxford Town Hall and parts of Magdalen College.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Bowersmith, born in 1635 in Warwickshire. He was a skilled woodcarver and cabinet maker, renowned for his intricate and detailed work. Some of his pieces can still be found in various museums and private collections across England.

In the 18th century, the Bowersmith family had a presence in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, where they were involved in the crafting of thatched roofs and timber-framed buildings. John Bowersmith, born in 1712, was particularly skilled in this trade and his work can be seen in several historic buildings in the area.

While the name Bowersmith may have evolved and changed over time, its origins can be traced back to the skilled artisans who constructed and maintained the bowers that provided shelter and respite to travelers and workers in the English countryside centuries ago.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bowersmith

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bowersmith.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bowersmith was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bowersmith has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bowersmith was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bowersmith, please contact us.

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