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

Mowrey, 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 Mowrey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mowrey in America

Mowrey is the 13124th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mowrey surname appeared 2,335 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 Mowrey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mowrey 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 Mowrey

The surname Mowrey has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "mowe," meaning "a heap" or "a hillock," and "rea," meaning "a meadow." This suggests that the name may have originally been given to someone who lived near a meadow with a small hill or mound.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like survey conducted in 1273-1274. Here, the name appears as "Mowere," likely referring to the same root words.

During the 13th century, the name was also mentioned in various manorial records and court rolls, often appearing as "Mowere" or "Moure." These documents provide valuable insights into the lives of individuals bearing this surname, including their occupations, land holdings, and legal disputes.

In the 16th century, the name began to take on its more modern spelling of "Mowrey." One notable individual from this period was William Mowrey, born in 1543 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a merchant and landowner, and his will, dated 1605, sheds light on his various properties and bequests.

As the name spread across England, different regional variations emerged. For instance, in the county of Somerset, the name was sometimes spelled "Mowry" or "Mowery," while in the north, variations like "Mowrey" or "Mowrie" were more common.

In the 17th century, several Mowreys made their mark in different fields. John Mowrey (1620-1678) was a prominent Puritan minister in Essex, known for his fiery sermons and writings. Meanwhile, Thomas Mowrey (1638-1692) was a successful merchant and ship owner in Bristol, involved in the lucrative transatlantic trade.

The 18th century saw the name spread beyond England's borders. One notable figure was Jeremiah Mowrey (1723-1803), an American Revolutionary War soldier from Pennsylvania, who fought in several important battles.

As migration patterns shifted, the Mowrey name found its way to other parts of the world. In the 19th century, James Mowrey (1815-1892), a Scottish-born engineer, made significant contributions to the construction of railroads and bridges in Australia.

Throughout its history, the surname Mowrey has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, tradesmen, clergy, and professionals. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread across continents, reflecting the diverse journeys and accomplishments of those who carry it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mowrey

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

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

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

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