Macdowell
A Scottish surname referring to a descendant of someone named Dougal, a diminutive form of the given name Dougal.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,679 Americans carry the last name Macdowell. That puts it at #19,027 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.49 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 204,142 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Macdowell 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
1.7K
1 in 204,142
Census rank
#19,027
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,431 bearers of the surname Macdowell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.49 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 19027th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdowell, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Black (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Macdowell
The surname MacDowell has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "Dúghall" which is a personal name of Norse origin, meaning "dark stranger" or "dark foreigner".
The MacDowell name is believed to have originated in the western Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Lochaber. The earliest recorded spellings of the name include McDougall, MacDougall, and MacDougal, which were used interchangeably in early records.
One of the earliest historical references to the MacDowell name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists several individuals bearing the name who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during his invasion of Scotland.
In the 14th century, the MacDowell clan was prominent in the Isles of Mull and Lorne, where they held considerable power and influence. Sir John MacDougall of Lorn, who lived in the late 13th century, is considered one of the most notable figures in the clan's history.
The MacDowell name has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Dunollie Castle near Oban, which was once a stronghold of the clan. Additionally, the village of Lochgoilhead in Argyll was historically known as Clachan Dhughaill, meaning "the village of MacDougall".
Notable individuals with the MacDowell surname include:
1. Alexander McDougall (1732-1786), a Scottish-American soldier and politician who served as a major general during the American Revolutionary War.
2. Mary MacDowell (1807-1885), a Scottish writer and novelist known for her works depicting Scottish rural life.
3. Edward MacDowell (1860-1908), an American composer and pianist often referred to as the "father of American music".
4. Andie MacDowell (born 1958), an American actress known for films such as "Groundhog Day" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral".
5. Glenn MacDougall (born 1956), a Scottish football player who played for several clubs, including Dundee United and Celtic.
The MacDowell name has a rich history deeply rooted in the Scottish Highlands, with a legacy spanning centuries and numerous notable individuals who have contributed to various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Macdowell
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdowell, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Black (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Macdowell 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 Macdowell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.9%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Black or African American1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- Two or more races0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Macdowell 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #19,027 | #19,027 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,431 | 1,431 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Macdowell bearers went from 1,431 to 1,431 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #19,027 to #19,027.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Macdowell
FAQ
Macdowell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Macdowell?
The surname Macdowell holds position #19,027 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,679 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.49 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Macdowell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdowell, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.8%) and Black (1.3%). 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.