Lowe
An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived on a hill or mound.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 107,214 Americans carry the last name Lowe. That puts it at #334 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 31.28 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,197 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lowe 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
107K
1 in 3,197
Census rank
#334
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
31.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
92K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 92,260 bearers of the surname Lowe in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 31.28 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 334th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lowe, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.0%. The next largest groups are Black (19.4%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lowe
The surname Lowe originated in England, with its earliest recorded roots dating back to the 11th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "hlaw," which means a small hill or mound. It was initially used as a topographic name, referring to people who lived near or on a hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Lowe." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England.
During the Middle Ages, the Lowe family was well-established in various regions of England, particularly in Lancashire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire. The name was sometimes spelled differently, such as "Lowe," "Low," or "Lough," reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Lowe was Sir Robert Lowe (1611-1679), an English judge and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Another prominent individual was John Lowe (1629-1685), an English Puritan minister and author who played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of his time.
As the name spread across England, it also became associated with certain place names. For instance, the village of Lowe Hill in Staffordshire likely derived its name from the Lowe family who once resided there.
In the 18th century, the Lowe family produced several influential figures, including Hudson Lowe (1769-1844), a British Army officer best known for his role as the governor of St. Helena during the imprisonment of Napoleon Bonaparte. Additionally, Robert Lowe (1811-1892), a British statesman and writer, served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary in the 19th century.
Another notable bearer of the surname was Sir Lowe Hudson Lowe (1794-1876), a British naval officer and explorer who played a significant role in the exploration of the Arctic regions.
Throughout its history, the surname Lowe has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, authors, politicians, and military figures, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape of England and beyond.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lowe
Among Census respondents with the surname Lowe, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.0%. The next largest groups are Black (19.4%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Lowe 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 Lowe surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White73.0%
- Black or African American19.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lowe 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 | #309 | #334 | -8.1% |
| Count | 89,178 | 92,260 | 3.5% |
| Per 100K | 33.06 | 31.28 | -5.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lowe bearers went from 89,178 to 92,260 (+3.5% change). The surname moved down 25 positions in the national ranking, going from #309 to #334.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lowe
FAQ
Lowe surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lowe?
The surname Lowe holds position #334 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 107,214 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 31.28 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lowe surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lowe, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.0%. The next largest groups are Black (19.4%) and Hispanic (2.6%). 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.