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

Vowles, 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 Vowles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vowles in America

Vowles is the 51176th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vowles surname appeared 407 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 Vowles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vowles 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 Vowles

The surname VOWLES is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who hailed from a place called Vowles or a similarly spelled variation.

In its earliest known form, the name was likely derived from the Old English word "fal," meaning a fallow or uncultivated field, combined with a possessive suffix. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname may have resided near or owned land associated with a fallow field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire, dating back to 1190, where it appears as "de Falweles." This early spelling variation hints at the name's locational roots and provides insight into its evolution over time.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Falewelle" and "de Falewell," further solidifying its connection to a specific place. It is worth noting that place names were often subject to linguistic changes and regional dialects, leading to numerous spelling variations.

In the 14th century, records from the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire mention a John de Falewell, suggesting that the name had spread beyond its original location. This period also saw the emergence of the more modern spelling "Vowles," which became more prevalent in later centuries.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname VOWLES. One such person was William Vowles (1582-1655), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Willesborough in Kent. Another was Richard Vowles (1628-1686), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as a Baron of the Exchequer in England during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, John Vowles (1702-1763) made a name for himself as a renowned engraver and sculptor, renowned for his intricate work on coins and medals. His son, William Vowles (1742-1795), followed in his footsteps and became a respected engraver and medallist as well.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Joseph Vowles (1813-1887), a notable English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.

While the surname VOWLES may have originated from a specific location, it has since spread across various regions, with bearers contributing to various fields throughout history. Its evolution and variations reflect the rich tapestry of English linguistic heritage and the diverse backgrounds of those who carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vowles

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

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

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

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