UK surname
A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from a location called Bowin.
In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Bowin surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #25,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, St Leonard Shoreditch and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowin is 189 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.4%.
1881 census count
58
Ranked #25,428
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
189 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bowin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bowin surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 189 | #12,570 |
| 1881 | historical | 58 | #25,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 139 | #19,311 |
| 1901 | historical | 54 | #28,178 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, St Leonard Shoreditch, Gateshead, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors | Shropshire |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Aberdare | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bowin surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bowin, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bowin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bowin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bowin is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bowin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bowin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bowin originated in England during the late medieval period, derived from the Old English word "bowen," which means "to bend" or "to bow." It is likely that the name was initially an occupational surname, referring to a profession such as a bowyer or an archer.
The earliest recorded instances of the Bowin surname can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable reference appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which mentions a William Bowin as a landowner in the county.
During the 16th century, the Bowin surname began to spread throughout different regions of England, with various spellings emerging, such as Bowine, Boweing, and Bowing. This diversity in spelling was common during this time, as standardized spelling conventions were not yet established.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Bowin surname was Sir John Bowin (1490-1558), a prominent figure during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a member of Parliament and held various positions in the royal court.
Another notable individual with the Bowin surname was Richard Bowin (1615-1679), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Provost of Eton College from 1661 until his death.
In the 18th century, the Bowin surname gained recognition in literary circles with the writer and poet Elizabeth Bowin (1733-1809). Her works, which included several published volumes of poetry, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
During the 19th century, the Bowin surname gained prominence in the field of science with the pioneering work of Charles Bowin (1822-1901), a renowned botanist and naturalist. His contributions to the study of plant life and taxonomy were significant, and he is credited with the discovery of several new species.
Another notable figure from this period was Sir Edward Bowin (1845-1921), a highly decorated military officer who served in the British Army during the latter half of the 19th century. He was awarded numerous honors for his bravery and leadership during various military campaigns.
Throughout its history, the Bowin surname has been associated with various place names and localities within England, including the village of Bowin in Gloucestershire and the town of Bowinton in Lancashire. These place names may have contributed to the development and spread of the surname in their respective regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Glamorgan leads with 8 Bowins recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.36x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan | 8 | 7.36x |
| Channel Islands | 7 | 37.84x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.12x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.97x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.64x |
| Herefordshire | 4 | 15.63x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 1.90x |
| Carmarthenshire | 3 | 11.40x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.45x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.41x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 3.68x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.48x |
| Kincardineshire | 2 | 26.32x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.54x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 2.59x |
| Radnorshire | 1 | 19.84x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.85x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pyle in Glamorgan leads with 7 Bowins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Pyle | 7 | 3500.00x |
| St Saviour | 7 | 686.27x |
| Clerkenwell London | 6 | 40.71x |
| Clevedon | 5 | 480.77x |
| Aylburton | 3 | 2142.86x |
| Farnborough | 3 | 967.74x |
| Pembrey | 3 | 247.93x |
| Benholm | 2 | 606.06x |
| Dorking | 2 | 98.04x |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | 24.81x |
| Walford | 2 | 800.00x |
| Walsall Foreign | 2 | 18.37x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 23.31x |
| Altofts | 1 | 147.06x |
| Bromborough | 1 | 344.83x |
| Burslem | 1 | 16.56x |
| Clifford | 1 | 588.24x |
| Coreley | 1 | 769.23x |
| Croydon | 1 | 5.92x |
| East Brent | 1 | 666.67x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.86x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.84x |
| Llanstephan | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Norton In Moors | 1 | 89.29x |
| Oxford St Clement | 1 | 103.09x |
| Rushock | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Sherburn | 1 | 175.44x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 34.13x |
| Stoke Lacy | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Suckley | 1 | 769.23x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 11.22x |
| Worcester All Sts | 1 | 212.77x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bowin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bowin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bowin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Dress Maker | 3 |
| Brick Maker | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Ladys Maid | 2 |
| Servant | 2 |
| Servant Dom | 2 |
| Agricultural Lab | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Daughter | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Farmer 7 Acres | 1 |
| Gardener (Dom) | 1 |
| Gardeners Wife | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| General Servt | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Late Member London Stock Exchange | 1 |
| Painter (Journeyman) | 1 |
| Pawnbrokers Assistant | 1 |
| Plater | 1 |
| Private Soldier | 1 |
| Watchman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Bowin surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Bowin a modern rank of #38,264.
A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from a location called Bowin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bowin bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.