NameCensus.

UK surname

Bowey

Likely derived from an Old English word for a cabin or hut, referring to one who lived in or near a bower.

In the 1881 census there were 315 people recorded with the Bowey surname, ranking it #9,393 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 503, ranked #9,950, down from #9,393 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, County Durham and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowey is 523 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.7%.

1881 census count

315

Ranked #9,393

Modern count

503

2016, ranked #9,950

Peak year

1998

523 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bowey had 315 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,393 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 503 in 2016, ranked #9,950.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 457 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Bowey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bowey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bowey 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 300 #7,650
1861 historical 296 #8,532
1881 historical 315 #9,393
1891 historical 328 #10,348
1901 historical 394 #9,579
1911 historical 457 #8,397
1997 modern 515 #9,110
1998 modern 523 #9,276
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 503 #9,589
2001 modern 492 #9,592
2002 modern 506 #9,545
2003 modern 488 #9,657
2004 modern 478 #9,823
2005 modern 472 #9,855
2006 modern 474 #9,855
2007 modern 485 #9,780
2008 modern 488 #9,827
2009 modern 492 #9,979
2010 modern 503 #10,017
2011 modern 514 #9,754
2012 modern 506 #9,776
2013 modern 510 #9,871
2014 modern 511 #9,927
2015 modern 498 #10,035
2016 modern 503 #9,950

Geography

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Where Boweys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, County Durham, Taunton Deane, Stockton-on-Tees and Swale. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 1
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 020 Northumberland
2 County Durham 038 County Durham
3 Taunton Deane 009 Taunton Deane
4 Stockton-on-Tees 006 Stockton-on-Tees
5 Swale 002 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bowey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bowey

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Bowey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Bowey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bowey is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bowey is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bowey falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bowey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bowey

The surname Bowey has its origins in Northern England, particularly in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, where it first appeared around the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bogie" or "boga," which means a small stream or brook. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, such as Bowey, Bowy, and Bowie.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Bowey surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland, dating back to 1268. These rolls were medieval financial records kept by the English Exchequer, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this name in the region during that time.

The surname Bowey has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was William Bowey, a 15th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe in Ireland from 1449 to 1459.

Another prominent Bowey was Sir Robert Bowey, a 16th-century English soldier and diplomat who played a significant role in the Anglo-Scottish Wars. Born in Northumberland around 1493, he served as the Captain of Norham Castle and was knighted by King Henry VIII in 1544.

In the 18th century, John Bowey (1701-1787) was a renowned English architect and surveyor. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Durham, including the County Hall and the Old Shire Hall. His work left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of the region.

The Bowey surname also has connections to place names in Northern England. The village of Bowey near Barnard Castle in County Durham is believed to have derived its name from the surname, indicating the presence of families bearing this name in the area.

Another notable figure with the Bowey surname was Sir George Bowey (1811-1888), a British politician and industrialist. He served as a Member of Parliament for South Durham from 1868 to 1880 and was involved in the coal mining industry in the region.

While the surname Bowey may have evolved and spread to other parts of the world over time, its origins can be traced back to Northern England, where it was closely tied to the local geography and history of the area.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bowey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowey 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. Northumberland leads with 127 Boweys recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.69x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 127 27.69x
Durham 73 7.96x
Surrey 26 1.73x
Wiltshire 23 8.44x
Middlesex 13 0.42x
Devon 9 1.40x
Hampshire 8 1.27x
Oxfordshire 7 3.68x
Lancashire 6 0.16x
Somerset 5 1.01x
Cornwall 4 1.15x
Gloucestershire 4 0.66x
Yorkshire 3 0.10x
Berkshire 1 0.43x
Derbyshire 1 0.21x
Essex 1 0.16x
Lanarkshire 1 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.29x
Norfolk 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 2.72x
Staffordshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 23 Boweys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.22x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 23 29.22x
Slaley 16 3555.56x
Gateshead 15 21.85x
Fisherton Anger 14 277.23x
Tynemouth 11 44.79x
Westgate 11 38.73x
Byker 10 44.11x
Muggleswick 10 1123.60x
Alnwick 9 114.21x
Battersea 9 7.94x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 9 22.66x
Bedlington 8 52.25x
Salisbury St Thomas 8 370.37x
Caterham 7 105.42x
Oxford St Ebbe 7 125.00x
Ross 7 8750.00x
St Mary Extra 6 118.11x
Ulgham 6 789.47x
Belford 5 510.20x
Cramlington 5 82.51x
Islington London 5 1.67x
Kingston On Thames 5 13.86x
Howick 4 1212.12x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 8.09x
Poughill 4 952.38x
St Marylebone London 4 2.43x
West Chevington 4 754.72x
West Thornton 4 5000.00x
Berrynarbor 3 410.96x
Budle 3 3750.00x
Cambo 3 3333.33x
Felton 3 416.67x
Isle Abbotts 3 810.81x
Lamesley 3 60.73x
Lesbury 3 297.03x
Rothbury 3 227.27x
Warkworth 3 405.41x
Westoe 3 5.77x
Bamburgh 2 540.54x
Bermondsey 2 2.18x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 9.92x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 3.51x
Camberwell 2 1.02x
Elvet 2 30.21x
Leeds 2 1.16x
Liverpool 2 0.90x
Mile End Old Town London 2 3.05x
Morpeth 2 37.11x
St Giles 2 34.97x
Sunderland 2 12.35x
Abingdon St Helen 1 14.79x
Aldershot 1 4.73x
Bedminster 1 2.15x
Bushbury 1 53.48x
Chester Le Street 1 14.20x
Chesterfield 1 5.53x
Curry Mallet 1 196.08x
Dawdon 1 8.87x
Denver 1 113.64x
Durham St Nicholas 1 44.44x
Govan 1 0.41x
Haslingden 1 6.61x
Heaton Norris 1 4.80x
Hinckley 1 12.33x
Hornsey 1 2.57x
Horton In Bradford 1 2.10x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 3.65x
North Shields 1 10.93x
Outchester 1 1000.00x
Riddells Quarter 1 769.23x
Royal Navy 1 3.18x
Salisbury St Edmund 1 22.83x
Satley 1 188.68x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.61x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.23x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 1 9.50x
Vernham Dean 1 158.73x
Westminster St John 1 2.66x
Wolborough 1 12.33x
Woodford 1 14.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 19
Mary 18
Jane 16
Margaret 10
Ellen 8
Ann 7
Alice 5
Catherine 5
Sarah 5
Dorothy 4
Emily 4
Isabella 4
Kate 4
Rose 4
Annie 3
Edith 3
Ada 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Amelia 1
Barbara 1
Bethshba 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Cath.A. 1
Clara 1
Elizath. 1
Ellenor 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Eveline 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Henrietta 1
Jemima 1
Lilley 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
M.J. 1
Margt.A. 1
Margt.Ann 1
May 1
Nattee 1
Phoebe 1
Prudence 1
Rachel 1
Susan 1
Thomasine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
John 25
Thomas 16
James 15
Robert 12
Charles 7
George 6
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Henry 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Matthew 2
Peter 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Adam 1
Christopher 1
Douglas 1
Fenwick 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Marshall 1
Mathew 1
Mattias 1
Mills 1
Nicholas 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Richd.Wilson 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Wm.Alfred 1

FAQ

Bowey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bowey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 315 people were recorded with the Bowey surname. That placed it at #9,393 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bowey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 503 in 2016. That gives Bowey a modern rank of #9,950.

What does the Bowey surname mean?

Likely derived from an Old English word for a cabin or hut, referring to one who lived in or near a bower.

What does the Bowey map show?

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