UK surname
A habitational surname derived from residing in a location named Bowne.
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Bowne surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolstanton, London parishes and Burslem. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowne is 268 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 50.0%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1891
268 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bowne surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bowne surname density by area, 1911 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 | 98 | #17,383 |
| 1861 | historical | 258 | #9,603 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 268 | #12,087 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 195 | #15,197 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 26 | #35,295 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 20 | #36,654 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolstanton, London parishes, Burslem, Norton juxta Twycross and Droitwich St Andrew and St Mary, Droitwich St Nicholas, Dodderhill (Dodderhill in Liberties), Malbor. 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 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Burslem | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Norton juxta Twycross | Leicestershire |
| 5 | Droitwich St Andrew and St Mary, Droitwich St Nicholas, Dodderhill (Dodderhill in Liberties), Malbor | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bowne 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 Bowne, 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 Bowne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bowne 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, Bowne 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 Bowne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bowne, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bowne originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bun," meaning a boundary or enclosure, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a boundary or enclosure.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Bowne can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "de Boune." This spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time, influenced by regional dialects and scribal interpretations.
In the 14th century, the Bowne family was prominent in Leicestershire, England. Historical records mention a John Bowne, born around 1310, who was a landowner and influential figure in the region.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not include the name Bowne. However, it does mention place names that may have influenced the surname's development, such as "Boun" and "Bune."
Throughout the centuries, the Bowne surname has been associated with notable individuals. One such person was Samuel Bowne (1676-1749), a prominent Quaker and advocate for religious freedom in colonial America. He was arrested and imprisoned for holding Quaker meetings in his home in Flushing, New York.
Another famous bearer of the Bowne name was Walter Bowne (1770-1846), a successful merchant and philanthropist in New York City. He was involved in various charitable organizations and played a significant role in the growth and development of the city.
In the literary world, Eliza Bowne (1799-1869), an American author and educator, made significant contributions. Her book "The Workingman's Wife" focused on the lives of working-class families and was widely read in the mid-19th century.
Robert Bowne Minturn (1805-1866), a prominent businessman and philanthropist from New York, was also a notable figure. He was involved in various charitable organizations and played a key role in the establishment of the New York Cancer Hospital (now Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).
Lastly, John Bowne Hance (1829-1905), an American lawyer and politician, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas during the late 19th century.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowne 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. Middlesex leads with 9 Bownes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.43x |
| Derbyshire | 8 | 13.80x |
| Berkshire | 5 | 17.98x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.77x |
| Dorset | 3 | 12.34x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.68x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.38x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.83x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.80x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 3.05x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 2.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Crich in Derbyshire leads with 5 Bownes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1315.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Crich | 5 | 1315.79x |
| Kensington London | 5 | 24.28x |
| Newbury | 5 | 561.80x |
| Battersea | 4 | 29.35x |
| Blandford Forum | 3 | 625.00x |
| Derby St Peter | 3 | 162.16x |
| Gorton | 2 | 48.43x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 14.68x |
| Barony | 1 | 3.30x |
| Bisley | 1 | 151.52x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 1 | 34.13x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 4.81x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.79x |
| Merton | 1 | 312.50x |
| Warminster | 1 | 138.89x |
| Worsley | 1 | 36.90x |
| Yardley | 1 | 80.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bowne 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 Bowne 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 Bowne households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| House Painter | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Ag Labr | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Formerly Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Genl Serv Dom | 1 |
| Irish Labr Not In Practice | 1 |
| Manager At Gas Works | 1 |
| Nurse (Dom) | 1 |
| Owner Of Stone Quarries | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Serv (Dom) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Bowne surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Bowne a modern rank of #36,760.
A habitational surname derived from residing in a location named Bowne.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bowne 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.