NameCensus.

UK surname

Bowry

A surname possibly derived from the Old English words for a maker of bows or arrows.

In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Bowry surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 370, ranked #12,591, up from #19,750 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, St Leonard Shoreditch and Kingston-on-Thames. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basildon, Tandridge and Swale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bowry is 439 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 270.0%.

1881 census count

100

Ranked #19,750

Modern count

370

2016, ranked #12,591

Peak year

2000

439 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bowry had 100 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,750 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016, ranked #12,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 175 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Bowry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bowry surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bowry 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 105 #16,618
1861 historical 101 #20,955
1881 historical 100 #19,750
1891 historical 141 #19,108
1901 historical 174 #16,520
1911 historical 175 #16,246
1997 modern 403 #10,955
1998 modern 427 #10,825
1999 modern 422 #10,999
2000 modern 439 #10,650
2001 modern 419 #10,835
2002 modern 416 #11,120
2003 modern 406 #11,150
2004 modern 402 #11,244
2005 modern 392 #11,355
2006 modern 394 #11,383
2007 modern 396 #11,459
2008 modern 393 #11,641
2009 modern 386 #12,044
2010 modern 394 #12,131
2011 modern 384 #12,218
2012 modern 375 #12,292
2013 modern 375 #12,497
2014 modern 373 #12,633
2015 modern 372 #12,544
2016 modern 370 #12,591

Geography

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Where Bowrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, St Leonard Shoreditch, Kingston-on-Thames, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basildon, Tandridge, Swale, Croydon and Bristol. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Kingston-on-Thames Surrey
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basildon 021 Basildon
2 Tandridge 010 Tandridge
3 Swale 003 Swale
4 Croydon 019 Croydon
5 Bristol 015 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bowry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bowry

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Bowry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Bowry 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 are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Bowry is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Bowry is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bowry 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 Bowry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Bowry

The surname BOWRY is of English origin, with roots that can be traced back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "burgh," which referred to a fortified town or settlement. This is further supported by the fact that many early bearers of the name were found in areas with place names containing the suffix "-bury" or "-borough."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BOWRY surname can be found in the Hertfordshire Parish Registers from 1593, where a certain John Bowry was listed as a resident of the county. Another early mention is in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk from 1602, which lists a Thomas Bowry as a taxpayer in the region.

The BOWRY name has also been linked to various places in England, such as Bowry Hill in Gloucestershire and Bowry Farm in Wiltshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname, which included Bowrie, Bowrey, and Boury, among others.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the BOWRY surname. One such person was Richard Bowry (1605-1679), an English merchant and adventurer who was involved in the early trade with India and the East Indies. Another was Sir John Bowry (1753-1825), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

In the literary world, the name BOWRY is associated with the English poet and playwright Thomas Bowry (1670-1734), who is best known for his satirical works and his involvement in the Scriblerian movement. Additionally, the English artist and engraver Robert Bowry (1758-1838) gained recognition for his landscape paintings and his work as an illustrator for books and magazines.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Sir William Bowry (1860-1944), a prominent British businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the tea trade and later became a major benefactor to various charitable causes in his native Yorkshire.

While the BOWRY surname may not be as widespread as some others, its rich history and connections to various influential individuals across different fields make it a fascinating name to explore and appreciate.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bowry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bowry 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. Surrey leads with 37 Bowrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.78x.

County Total Index
Surrey 37 7.78x
Middlesex 25 2.56x
Hampshire 10 5.00x
Kent 6 1.80x
Yorkshire 4 0.41x
Devon 3 1.48x
Gloucestershire 3 1.57x
Norfolk 3 2.00x
Warwickshire 3 1.22x
Essex 2 1.04x
Lancashire 2 0.17x
Somerset 1 0.64x
Sussex 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingston On Thames in Surrey leads with 17 Bowrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 148.86x.

Place Total Index
Kingston On Thames 17 148.86x
Islington London 11 11.63x
Shoreditch London 9 21.28x
Bexley 6 204.08x
Carisbrooke 6 215.83x
East Molesey 6 545.45x
Clifton In York 4 198.02x
Southwark Christchurch 4 87.53x
Acton 3 52.45x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 16.66x
Coventry St Michael 3 37.97x
Methwold 3 612.24x
South Molton 3 267.86x
Southampton St Mary 3 23.87x
Thames Ditton 3 303.03x
Battersea 2 5.57x
Church 2 122.70x
Lambeth 2 2.35x
St Pancras London 2 2.55x
Wimbledon 2 37.45x
Barnes 1 49.75x
Brighton 1 3.01x
Colchester St James 1 128.21x
Great Wigborough 1 1111.11x
South Stoneham 1 23.04x
Walton In Gordano 1 588.24x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 7
Francis 6
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
George 4
Edward 3
John 3
Thomas 3
Walter 3
William 3
Clement 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Daniel 1
Edwin 1
Francies 1
James 1
Loftus 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bowry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bowry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Bowry surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bowry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016. That gives Bowry a modern rank of #12,591.

What does the Bowry surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from the Old English words for a maker of bows or arrows.

What does the Bowry map show?

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