NameCensus.

UK surname

Bowering

An English surname derived from the Old English word "bōr" meaning a bower or dwelling.

In the 1881 census there were 394 people recorded with the Bowering surname, ranking it #8,055 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 492, ranked #10,096, down from #8,055 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Poole St James and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Telford and Wrekin, East Staffordshire and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowering is 608 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.9%.

1881 census count

394

Ranked #8,055

Modern count

492

2016, ranked #10,096

Peak year

1911

608 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bowering had 394 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,055 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 492 in 2016, ranked #10,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 608 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bowering surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bowering surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bowering 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 214 #9,898
1861 historical 249 #9,904
1881 historical 394 #8,055
1891 historical 512 #7,283
1901 historical 541 #7,611
1911 historical 608 #6,777
1997 modern 564 #8,501
1998 modern 572 #8,663
1999 modern 572 #8,712
2000 modern 573 #8,671
2001 modern 568 #8,602
2002 modern 569 #8,751
2003 modern 574 #8,581
2004 modern 570 #8,643
2005 modern 546 #8,827
2006 modern 543 #8,903
2007 modern 536 #9,068
2008 modern 526 #9,271
2009 modern 538 #9,327
2010 modern 535 #9,571
2011 modern 531 #9,524
2012 modern 485 #10,089
2013 modern 507 #9,917
2014 modern 507 #9,981
2015 modern 496 #10,057
2016 modern 492 #10,096

Geography

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Where Bowerings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Poole St James, London parishes, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood and Wainfleet St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Telford and Wrekin, East Staffordshire, East Devon, Wakefield and Sedgemoor. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Poole St James Dorset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood Nottinghamshire
5 Wainfleet St Mary Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Telford and Wrekin 001 Telford and Wrekin
2 East Staffordshire 007 East Staffordshire
3 East Devon 017 East Devon
4 Wakefield 029 Wakefield
5 Sedgemoor 011 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bowering

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bowering

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bowering, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Bowering surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bowering household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bowering is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Bowering is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bowering falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bowering 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 Bowering, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bowering

The surname Bowering is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be traced back to the 11th century in England. It is derived from the Old English words "bohr" and "inga," which together mean "dweller by the bower" or "one who lives near the cattle shelter." The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Boveringas."

The Bowering family was initially concentrated in the counties of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, where they were landowners and farmers. Over time, the name spread to other parts of England, with variations in spelling such as Bowring, Bouring, and Boweering.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bowering was Sir John Bowering (c. 1310-1379), a prominent knight and landowner from Oxfordshire. He fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War and was known for his bravery on the battlefield.

Another notable figure was Thomas Bowering (1584-1647), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts. He served as the Rector of Sutton Courtenay in Berkshire and was known for his eloquent sermons.

In the 17th century, the Bowering family established roots in the American colonies. William Bowering (1620-1685) was among the early settlers in Virginia, arriving in 1635. He became a successful tobacco farmer and played a role in the local government.

During the Industrial Revolution, many Bowerings moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment. Samuel Bowering (1786-1854) was a prominent industrialist who owned a textile mill in Manchester and was instrumental in the development of the city's cotton industry.

Another notable figure was Sir Walter Bowering (1865-1938), a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and led several expeditions to the Arctic regions, making important contributions to the mapping and exploration of the area.

While the Bowering surname is not as common today as it once was, it remains a part of the historical tapestry of England and other English-speaking countries, with a rich heritage spanning centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bowering families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowering 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. Dorset leads with 56 Bowerings recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.20x.

County Total Index
Dorset 56 22.20x
Somerset 49 7.92x
Yorkshire 41 1.08x
Surrey 39 2.08x
Lincolnshire 35 5.70x
Staffordshire 35 2.70x
Nottinghamshire 34 6.56x
Lancashire 23 0.50x
Middlesex 20 0.52x
Kent 9 0.69x
Wiltshire 9 2.65x
Berkshire 7 2.43x
Devon 7 0.88x
Northamptonshire 7 1.94x
Derbyshire 6 1.00x
Gloucestershire 6 0.80x
Warwickshire 5 0.52x
Worcestershire 2 0.40x
Denbighshire 1 0.69x
Glamorgan 1 0.15x
Hampshire 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Melcombe Regis in Dorset leads with 17 Bowerings recorded in 1881 and an index of 162.68x.

Place Total Index
Melcombe Regis 17 162.68x
Bridgewater 16 95.29x
Sutton In Ashfield 14 124.56x
Wainfleet St Mary 14 1505.38x
Ashton Under Lyne 10 10.03x
Lambeth 10 2.98x
Biddulph 9 122.95x
Wandsworth 9 24.32x
Capel 8 454.55x
Mumby 8 941.18x
Spridlington 8 2105.26x
Swindon 8 30.35x
Mile End Old Town London 7 8.56x
Peterborough 7 26.75x
Sutton 7 1428.57x
Weymouth 7 146.44x
Wimborne 7 229.51x
Longdon 6 333.33x
Manchester 6 2.93x
Newton 6 17.07x
St Mary 6 235.29x
Thatcham 6 134.83x
Wolverhampton 6 6.02x
Carlton In Lindrick 5 362.32x
Congresbury 5 318.47x
Deptford St Paul 5 4.94x
Ewell 5 126.58x
Halifax 5 8.94x
Horbury 5 75.08x
Kingswood 5 980.39x
Leeds 5 2.32x
Loders 5 400.00x
Monks Kirby 5 234.74x
Radford 5 19.00x
Twerton 5 78.37x
Alfreton 4 21.88x
Banwell 4 176.99x
Halse 4 754.72x
Horsington 4 851.06x
Kingswinford 4 8.49x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 6.49x
Sedgley 4 8.30x
Shapwick 4 689.66x
Southcoates 4 18.92x
Wales 4 132.89x
Wyke Regis 4 110.50x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 8.46x
Axbridge 3 500.00x
Canford Magna 3 205.48x
Clifton 3 7.87x
Fiddington 3 937.50x
Scarborough 3 8.67x
Winfrith Newburgh 3 238.10x
Wootton Courtney 3 697.67x
Bristol St Peter 2 74.07x
Dorchester All Sts 2 166.67x
Dudley 2 3.28x
East Drayton 2 714.29x
Fordington 2 36.83x
Kinson 2 40.57x
Langton Herring 2 588.24x
Lee 2 10.50x
Marston Montgomery 2 392.16x
Newington 2 1.41x
Shoreditch London 2 1.20x
South Mimms 2 37.95x
St Pancras London 2 0.65x
Stafford St Mary 2 10.89x
Stoke Damerel 2 3.57x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.45x
Wakefield 2 6.84x
Worsbrough 2 17.92x
All Hallows London Wall 1 238.10x
Churchstanton 1 102.04x
Enfield 1 3.97x
Hornsey 1 2.06x
Paddington London 1 0.71x
Penicuik 1 14.29x
Stone 1 6.03x
Whitby 1 7.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 32
Elizabeth 22
Sarah 13
Jane 9
Ann 8
Eliza 8
Lucy 7
Emma 6
Annie 5
Emily 5
Clara 4
Hannah 4
Rachel 4
Fanny 3
Kate 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Betsey 2
Caroline 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Johanna 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Anne 1
Blanch 1
Charlotte 1
Elizbeth 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Eveline 1
Frances 1
G. 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lousia 1
Mabel 1
Mable 1
Maggie 1
Malinda 1
Margret 1
Marian 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 23
William 20
James 12
Charles 11
George 10
Thomas 10
Joseph 8
Edward 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 5
Samuel 5
Henry 4
Mark 4
Robert 4
Edwin 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Cornelius 2
Daniel 2
David 2
Harry 2
Tom 2
Wm. 2
Billinger 1
Clark 1
Clement 1
D. 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Geoffrey 1
Herbert 1
Isac 1
J. 1
Jabez 1
Joshua 1
Josiah 1
Leaney 1
Levi 1
Nathanial 1
Oswald 1
Rd.Harvey 1
Richard 1
Sam 1
Sherriff 1
Stephen 1
Ted 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Bowering surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bowering surname in 1881?

In 1881, 394 people were recorded with the Bowering surname. That placed it at #8,055 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bowering surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 492 in 2016. That gives Bowering a modern rank of #10,096.

What does the Bowering surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English word "bōr" meaning a bower or dwelling.

What does the Bowering map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bowering 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.