NameCensus.

UK surname

Bowcock

A surname derived from the archaic occupation of a maker or seller of bows and arrows.

In the 1881 census there were 388 people recorded with the Bowcock surname, ranking it #8,141 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 397, ranked #11,941, down from #8,141 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolstanton, Leek and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Staffordshire Moorlands, Bolton and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowcock is 490 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.3%.

1881 census count

388

Ranked #8,141

Modern count

397

2016, ranked #11,941

Peak year

1911

490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bowcock had 388 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,141 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 397 in 2016, ranked #11,941.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 490 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Bowcock surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bowcock surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bowcock surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bowcock over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 292 #7,807
1861 historical 258 #9,603
1881 historical 388 #8,141
1891 historical 463 #7,902
1901 historical 485 #8,235
1911 historical 490 #7,943
1997 modern 398 #11,051
1998 modern 443 #10,526
1999 modern 443 #10,577
2000 modern 443 #10,578
2001 modern 422 #10,773
2002 modern 423 #10,975
2003 modern 414 #10,980
2004 modern 412 #11,029
2005 modern 395 #11,292
2006 modern 407 #11,087
2007 modern 401 #11,353
2008 modern 406 #11,328
2009 modern 414 #11,407
2010 modern 428 #11,352
2011 modern 428 #11,219
2012 modern 410 #11,518
2013 modern 396 #12,015
2014 modern 401 #11,979
2015 modern 396 #11,994
2016 modern 397 #11,941

Geography

Back to top

Where Bowcocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolstanton, Leek, Manchester, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Warrington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Staffordshire Moorlands, Bolton and Breckland. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Wolstanton Staffordshire
2 Leek Staffordshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
5 Warrington Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Staffordshire Moorlands 005 Staffordshire Moorlands
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 006 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 001 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Bolton 015 Bolton
5 Breckland 004 Breckland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bowcock

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bowcock surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bowcock

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bowcock, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Bowcock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Bowcock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bowcock is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bowcock is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bowcock falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bowcock is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bowcock, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bowcock

The surname Bowcock has its roots in England, originating during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "boga" meaning "bow" and "cocc" meaning "maker or shooter." Thus, the name Bowcock likely referred to someone who crafted or used bows and arrows, suggesting an association with archery or hunting.

One of the earliest records of the name Bowcock appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where it is spelled "Boghcok." This variation in spelling was common during the Middle Ages, as standardized spellings had not yet been established. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Bowcock.

The name Bowcock can also be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1301, indicating its presence in the region. These early records provide valuable insights into the geographical spread and prevalence of the surname during its formative years.

Notable individuals bearing the Bowcock surname include John Bowcock (c. 1545-1621), an English merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in York. Another prominent figure was William Bowcock (1680-1755), a landowner and Justice of the Peace in Buckinghamshire.

In the 18th century, the Bowcock name gained further prominence with the birth of Thomas Bowcock (1737-1819), a renowned clockmaker from London. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after and can still be found in museums and private collections today.

The 19th century saw the rise of James Bowcock (1824-1899), a successful industrialist and entrepreneur from Lancashire. He established a successful cotton mill and played a significant role in the region's industrial growth.

Another individual of note is Sir Edgar Bowcock (1894-1976), a British diplomat and civil servant who served as the Governor of British Honduras (now Belize) from 1949 to 1954. His contribution to the region's governance and development during the colonial era was widely recognized.

Throughout its history, the surname Bowcock has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, and Lancashire. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its connection to archery and hunting remains a fascinating aspect of its origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bowcock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowcock surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 167 Bowcocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.74x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 167 3.74x
Staffordshire 114 8.97x
Cheshire 28 3.37x
Lincolnshire 24 3.99x
Leicestershire 13 3.11x
Hertfordshire 12 4.62x
Yorkshire 8 0.21x
Huntingdonshire 6 8.03x
Derbyshire 4 0.68x
Rutland 4 14.47x
Middlesex 2 0.05x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.39x
Dorset 1 0.40x
Sussex 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leek Lowe in Staffordshire leads with 62 Bowcocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 366.65x.

Place Total Index
Leek Lowe 62 366.65x
Little Bolton 21 36.55x
Manchester 20 9.95x
Cheddleton 14 526.32x
Salford 14 10.65x
Bradford 10 47.82x
North Meols 10 22.86x
Stretford 10 40.68x
Burslem 9 24.72x
Wolstanton 9 23.32x
Leicester St Margaret 8 7.86x
Biddulph 7 97.63x
Dunston 7 693.07x
Hulme 7 7.50x
Latchford 7 126.81x
Pinchbeck 7 181.35x
West Derby 7 5.36x
Farcett 6 652.17x
Rusholme 6 50.34x
Ardwick 5 12.41x
Birkenhead 5 7.55x
Blackley 5 63.86x
Burton 5 1470.59x
Great Eccleston 5 617.28x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 22.23x
Oldham 5 3.47x
Standon 5 187.27x
Thurmaston North 5 925.93x
Warrington 5 9.44x
Empingham 4 377.36x
Gorton 4 9.52x
Newton 4 11.61x
Thornham 4 165.29x
Bengeo 3 99.67x
Heap 3 12.66x
Keighley 3 7.54x
New Sealford 3 241.94x
North Forty Foot Bank 3 1153.85x
Pendlebury 3 31.81x
Sale 3 29.41x
Tonge With Haulgh 3 34.48x
Ware 3 40.32x
Barnsley 2 5.20x
Birkdale 2 17.70x
Heckington 2 87.34x
Leigh 2 238.10x
Matlock 2 25.25x
Preston 2 1.67x
Screveton 2 869.57x
Titteworth 2 102.56x
Toxteth Park 2 1.32x
Wardle 2 1000.00x
Wednesbury 2 6.30x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 2.97x
Beswick 1 8.75x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 2.82x
Boston 1 5.47x
Chester St Oswald 1 6.64x
Claughton In Garstang 1 140.85x
Denston 1 175.44x
Derby St Werburgh 1 2.94x
Fishtoft 1 84.75x
Golcar 1 10.13x
Hackney London 1 0.47x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 21.37x
Haughton 1 15.34x
Hooton 1 476.19x
Linthorpe 1 4.49x
Little Sutton 1 89.29x
Liverpool 1 0.37x
Northowram 1 3.82x
Openshaw 1 4.78x
Portland 1 7.52x
Sandbach 1 14.10x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.51x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 0.74x
Thundridge 1 163.93x
Turton 1 13.66x
Westhoughton 1 8.39x
Whitby 1 52.08x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bowcock surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 37
Elizabeth 16
Emma 12
Sarah 12
Eliza 10
Jane 10
Annie 7
Harriet 7
Alice 6
Hannah 6
Martha 5
Ann 4
Edith 4
Ellen 3
Florence 3
Laura 3
Phoebe 3
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Julia 2
Lilly 2
Rebecca 2
Rosa 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Anne 1
Betsy 1
Dinah 1
Elizt. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Lavinia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margt. 1
Marth 1
Maud 1
Millicent 1
Pollie 1
Roada 1
Rosamond 1
Rose 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bowcock surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 27
John 26
James 17
George 12
Thomas 11
Joseph 9
Charles 8
Henry 8
Samuel 7
Arthur 5
David 4
Edwin 4
Frederick 4
Richard 4
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Frank 2
Sydney 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Alexandra 1
Andrew 1
Anthony 1
Chas.F. 1
Child 1
Clifford 1
Eli 1
Elias 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredenen 1
Harvey 1
Hugh 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Louis 1
Mark 1
Obadiah 1
Robert 1
Solomon 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Thos.C. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bowcock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bowcock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 388 people were recorded with the Bowcock surname. That placed it at #8,141 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bowcock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 397 in 2016. That gives Bowcock a modern rank of #11,941.

What does the Bowcock surname mean?

A surname derived from the archaic occupation of a maker or seller of bows and arrows.

What does the Bowcock map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bowcock bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.