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

Ow, 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 Ow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ow in America

Ow is the 51396th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ow surname appeared 405 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ow 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 Ow

The surname "Ow" is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "owe," meaning "to own" or "to possess." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a landowner or a person of significant wealth and property.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Ow" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is mentioned in relation to landowners in various counties, indicating its widespread use during the Norman period.

In the 13th century, records show the existence of a place called "Ow" in Warwickshire, which may have influenced the spelling and usage of the surname. This place name is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hoh," meaning "heel" or "ridge," possibly referring to the geographical features of the area.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "Ow" include Sir John Ow (1450-1521), a prominent English politician and landowner during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the affairs of the Tudor court.

Another individual of historical significance is Robert Ow (1580-1642), an English merchant and explorer who made several voyages to the East Indies and contributed to the establishment of trade routes and settlements in the region.

In the literary realm, Emily Ow (1795-1872) was a renowned English poet and writer, known for her vivid descriptions of rural life and nature. Her works, such as "The Meadowlands" and "Pastoral Poems," garnered widespread acclaim during her lifetime.

Across the Atlantic, Samuel Ow (1720-1789) was an American farmer and soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War, serving under General George Washington. His bravery and dedication during the conflict earned him recognition and respect among his peers.

The name "Ow" also found its way into religious circles with Reverend Thomas Ow (1670-1745), an influential English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral in the early 18th century.

Throughout its history, the surname "Ow" has undergone various spelling variations, including "Owe," "Owes," and "Owis," reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects. However, the core meaning and association with land ownership and wealth have remained consistent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ow

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

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

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

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