Cowher
An English surname likely derived from an archaic word for "cowherder" or "cowherd."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Cowher. That puts it at #40,554 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Cowher surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#40,554
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
539
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 539 bearers of the surname Cowher in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 40554th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Cowher, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Cowher
The surname "COWHER" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from an occupation or a place name, as many surnames from this era were based on such descriptors.
One theory suggests that the name "COWHER" is a variation of the Old English word "cuhyrde," meaning a cowherd or a person who tended to cows. This occupation was common in rural areas, and surnames related to trades or professions were often adopted to distinguish individuals.
Another possibility is that the name is a locational surname, derived from a place name containing the word "cow" or a similar-sounding element. For instance, there are villages in England called Cowden and Cowfold, which could have given rise to the surname "COWHER."
Records from the 13th and 14th centuries show the surname "COWHER" appearing in various forms, such as "Couher," "Cower," and "Cowere." These spelling variations were common due to the inconsistent nature of record-keeping during that time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named William Cowhere is mentioned. Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, which lists a John Cowhird.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name "COWHER" was Richard Cowher, a landowner and member of the gentry in Gloucestershire, England. He was born around 1320 and held significant estates in the region.
During the 15th century, the surname "COWHER" gained prominence in various parts of England. Thomas Cowher, born in 1425 in Warwickshire, was a respected merchant and alderman in the city of Coventry.
In the 16th century, a notable individual with the surname "COWHER" was William Cowher, a scholar and clergyman born in 1521 in Oxfordshire. He studied at Oxford University and became a renowned theologian and author of several religious texts.
Another prominent figure from this era was Sir John Cowher, born in 1568 in Wiltshire. He was a military commander who served in the English Army during the Anglo-Spanish War and played a significant role in the defense of England against the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Cowher
Among Census respondents with the surname Cowher, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%.
The bar chart below shows how Cowher bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Cowher surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White98.1%
- Unknown or suppressed1.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Cowher surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #40,908 | #40,554 | 0.9% |
| Count | 503 | 539 | 7.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.18 | -5.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Cowher bearers went from 503 to 539 (+7.2% change). The surname moved up 354 positions in the national ranking, going from #40,908 to #40,554.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Cowher
FAQ
Cowher surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Cowher?
The surname Cowher holds position #40,554 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Cowher surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Cowher, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.1%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.