NameCensus.

UK surname

Bowness

From an English place name referring to a locality by a bow-shaped bend in a river or stream.

In the 1881 census there were 572 people recorded with the Bowness surname, ranking it #6,084 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 802, ranked #6,897, down from #6,084 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, Arlecdon and Workington (Workington), Clossocks. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Copeland and South Lakeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowness is 835 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.2%.

1881 census count

572

Ranked #6,084

Modern count

802

2016, ranked #6,897

Peak year

2010

835 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bowness had 572 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,084 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 802 in 2016, ranked #6,897.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 733 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bowness surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bowness surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bowness 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 348 #6,765
1861 historical 365 #7,009
1881 historical 572 #6,084
1891 historical 627 #6,172
1901 historical 725 #6,108
1911 historical 733 #5,853
1997 modern 757 #6,829
1998 modern 788 #6,838
1999 modern 787 #6,888
2000 modern 814 #6,689
2001 modern 807 #6,606
2002 modern 812 #6,688
2003 modern 800 #6,652
2004 modern 794 #6,712
2005 modern 788 #6,681
2006 modern 767 #6,864
2007 modern 788 #6,771
2008 modern 795 #6,786
2009 modern 810 #6,819
2010 modern 835 #6,787
2011 modern 823 #6,785
2012 modern 820 #6,704
2013 modern 811 #6,866
2014 modern 810 #6,917
2015 modern 806 #6,896
2016 modern 802 #6,897

Geography

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Where Bowness' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, Arlecdon, Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Egremont and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Copeland and South Lakeland. 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 Darlington Durham
2 Arlecdon Cumberland
3 Workington (Workington), Clossocks Cumberland
4 Egremont Cumberland
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
2 Allerdale 003 Allerdale
3 Copeland 004 Copeland
4 South Lakeland 002 South Lakeland
5 Copeland 003 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bowness

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bowness

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bowness, 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 Bowness surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bowness 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bowness 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

Bowness 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

Bowness falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bowness

The surname Bowness originated from the Lake District region of northwestern England, specifically near the village of Bowness-on-Windermere in the county of Cumbria. It is derived from the Old Norse word "bodnas," meaning "dwellings" or "homesteads," combined with the Old English word "næss," meaning "headland" or "promontory."

The name is closely associated with the picturesque village of Bowness-on-Windermere, which dates back to the 7th century when it was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. The earliest recorded mention of the name Bowness can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Bodenesse."

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Robert de Bowness, who lived in the late 12th century and held lands in the area around Bowness-on-Windermere. Another notable figure was John de Bowness, a prominent merchant and landowner in the 14th century, who played a significant role in the local wool trade.

In the 16th century, the Bowness family produced several notable clergymen, including William Bowness (1515-1587), who served as the Vicar of Bowness-on-Windermere, and his son, Thomas Bowness (1550-1621), who became the Rector of Windermere.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, the Bowness family was known for their Royalist sympathies, with several members fighting for the cause of King Charles I. One such individual was Captain Richard Bowness (1620-1685), who served in the Royalist army and was later granted lands in the area.

In the 18th century, the Bowness family continued to play a prominent role in the local community, with several members serving as mayors and aldermen of the nearby town of Kendal. One notable figure was John Bowness (1725-1798), a successful merchant and landowner who served as the Mayor of Kendal in 1785.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold in the 19th century, many members of the Bowness family migrated to other parts of England and beyond, seeking opportunities in emerging industries and urban centers. This led to the surname becoming more widespread, while still maintaining its strong roots in the Lake District region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bowness families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowness 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 166 Bowness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.51x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 166 2.51x
Cumberland 159 33.10x
Westmorland 108 88.08x
Durham 35 2.11x
Lincolnshire 31 3.47x
Middlesex 19 0.34x
Yorkshire 14 0.25x
Lanarkshire 8 0.44x
Northumberland 7 0.84x
Surrey 7 0.26x
Somerset 4 0.45x
Essex 3 0.27x
Cheshire 2 0.16x
Hertfordshire 2 0.52x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.27x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.44x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.81x
Herefordshire 1 0.44x
Leicestershire 1 0.16x
Midlothian 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Egremont in Cumberland leads with 33 Bowness' recorded in 1881 and an index of 288.21x.

Place Total Index
Egremont 33 288.21x
Workington 28 101.82x
Arlecdon 21 164.32x
Church Coniston 20 1075.27x
Langdale 20 1428.57x
Barrow In Furness 16 17.77x
Darlington 14 21.84x
West Derby 14 7.23x
Hutton Roof 13 2321.43x
Corringham 11 774.65x
Kendal 11 49.00x
Keswick 11 179.15x
Snitterby 11 2075.47x
Bishop Auckland 10 44.90x
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 9 389.61x
Kirkland 9 1475.41x
Lancaster 9 22.85x
Wavertree 9 42.47x
Bury 8 10.58x
Cadder 8 60.02x
Crook 8 1509.43x
Lowther 8 888.89x
Hugill 7 933.33x
Hulme 7 5.06x
Islington London 7 1.29x
Lamplugh 7 290.46x
Langrigg Mealrigg 7 1320.75x
Little Bolton 7 8.22x
Millom 7 47.55x
Nether Staveley 7 1129.03x
Newchurch 7 12.92x
Bampton 6 576.92x
Garsdale 6 521.74x
Lambeth 6 1.23x
Liverpool 6 1.49x
Monkwearmouth Shore 6 18.52x
Orton 6 163.49x
Penrith 6 33.80x
Cleator 5 25.01x
Cleethorpes 5 95.24x
Flimby 5 123.15x
Longbenton 5 14.22x
Oughterside Allerby 5 520.83x
Pendleton In Salford 5 6.34x
Above Derwent 4 224.72x
Ambleside 4 105.26x
Bedminster 4 4.74x
Dalton In Furness 4 15.65x
Hurworth 4 137.46x
Kirkby Lonsdale 4 120.48x
Lower Allithwaite 4 251.57x
Manchester 4 1.34x
Salford 4 2.05x
Skelton 4 287.77x
Claughton In Lunesdale 3 1578.95x
Harwich St Nicholas 3 35.25x
Hornsey 3 4.25x
Lower Holker 3 236.22x
Marske In Guisbrough 3 30.55x
Moresby 3 163.93x
North Meols 3 4.63x
Over Staveley 3 215.83x
Pennington In Ulverston 3 91.19x
Preston Richard 3 265.49x
Toxteth Park 3 1.34x
Bridekirk 2 52.08x
Chelsea London 2 1.19x
Kirkdale 2 1.80x
Seaton 2 35.71x
St Albans 2 25.38x
Stoke Newington London 2 4.60x
Whittington 2 303.03x
Askham 1 102.04x
Bothel Threapland 1 133.33x
Grayingham 1 312.50x
Holbeck 1 2.73x
Kensington London 1 0.32x
St Cuthbert W O 1 4.27x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.02x
Waddingham 1 72.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 49
Jane 28
Margaret 24
Sarah 21
Elizabeth 20
Ann 18
Agnes 7
Alice 7
Annie 7
Charlotte 5
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Eleanor 4
Hannah 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Florence 3
Isabella 3
Betty 2
Dora 2
Emma 2
Lydia 2
Margret 2
An 1
Barberia 1
Barbra 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Clara 1
Dorathy 1
Edith 1
Elizebeth 1
Ellen 1
Ellenor 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Fransis 1
Grace 1
H.G. 1
Isabela 1
Issabella 1
Jimima 1
Julia 1
Lucretia 1
Marget 1
Margt. 1
Sybil 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 52
William 51
Thomas 24
George 23
Joseph 19
Robert 18
James 16
Edward 12
Richard 6
Frank 5
Samuel 5
Walter 5
Alfred 4
Charles 4
Henry 4
Leonard 4
Albert 3
David 3
Isaac 3
Ambrose 2
Frederick 2
Joshua 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Fredk. 1
Georg 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jonathan 1
Martin 1
Mathew 1
Moses 1
Nicholas 1
Norman 1
Octavius 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Robt. 1
Roger 1
Steadman 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bowness surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bowness surname in 1881?

In 1881, 572 people were recorded with the Bowness surname. That placed it at #6,084 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bowness surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 802 in 2016. That gives Bowness a modern rank of #6,897.

What does the Bowness surname mean?

From an English place name referring to a locality by a bow-shaped bend in a river or stream.

What does the Bowness map show?

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