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

Dowe, 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 Dowe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dowe in America

Dowe is the 16407th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dowe surname appeared 1,754 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Dowe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dowe 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 Dowe

The surname DOWE originated in England and dates back to the late 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "dufe," meaning "dove," and was likely an occupational name for someone who raised or sold doves. The name was initially spelled in various ways, including Douve, Duve, and Dove.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DOWE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as Duue. This manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented landholders and their properties throughout England.

During the 13th century, the surname DOWE appeared in various records and documents across different regions of England. Notably, in 1273, a John Dowe was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire. These rolls were a survey of landowners and their holdings, providing valuable insight into the distribution of surnames during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname DOWE was associated with places like Dowesborough in Worcestershire and Doweshill in Gloucestershire, indicating a connection between the name and certain geographical locations. Additionally, the name appeared in various legal records and court documents from that time.

One notable figure bearing the surname DOWE was Sir John Dowe (1561-1628), an English landowner and Member of Parliament from Gloucestershire. He played a significant role in local affairs and was known for his involvement in the textile industry.

Another prominent individual was Thomas Dowe (1573-1655), a renowned English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of St. Andrew's Church in Cambridge. He was widely respected for his scholarly works and contributions to the Church of England.

In the 17th century, the name DOWE was associated with several notable families, including the Dowes of Cheshire and the Dowes of Derbyshire. These families were influential landowners and contributed significantly to the local economies and social fabric of their respective regions.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Richard Dowe (1735-1810), a prominent English artist known for his landscapes and portraiture. His works were highly regarded and can be found in various art collections across the United Kingdom.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname DOWE was Sir Henry Dowe (1809-1892), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Crimean War. He was recognized for his bravery and strategic leadership, earning him numerous military honors and accolades.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dowe

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

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 Dowe 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 Dowe 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 Dowe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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