NameCensus.

UK surname

Cowdery

A surname possibly derived from a place name referring to a cow dairy or pasture.

In the 1881 census there were 268 people recorded with the Cowdery surname, ranking it #10,542 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 286, ranked #15,240, down from #10,542 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, Basingstoke, Basing, Eastrop, Newnham, Nately Scures, Up Nately, Andwell and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Oxfordshire, West Berkshire and Wokingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cowdery is 405 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.7%.

1881 census count

268

Ranked #10,542

Modern count

286

2016, ranked #15,240

Peak year

1911

405 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cowdery had 268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,542 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 286 in 2016, ranked #15,240.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 405 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Cowdery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cowdery surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cowdery 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 304 #7,559
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 268 #10,542
1891 historical 321 #10,520
1901 historical 387 #9,698
1911 historical 405 #9,212
1997 modern 346 #12,273
1998 modern 347 #12,607
1999 modern 343 #12,800
2000 modern 334 #12,980
2001 modern 335 #12,759
2002 modern 347 #12,699
2003 modern 334 #12,847
2004 modern 325 #13,161
2005 modern 320 #13,243
2006 modern 322 #13,234
2007 modern 321 #13,403
2008 modern 315 #13,686
2009 modern 315 #13,960
2010 modern 323 #14,005
2011 modern 326 #13,775
2012 modern 298 #14,565
2013 modern 306 #14,557
2014 modern 300 #14,839
2015 modern 295 #14,935
2016 modern 286 #15,240

Geography

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Where Cowderys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, Basingstoke, Basing, Eastrop, Newnham, Nately Scures, Up Nately, Andwell, London parishes and Stratfield Say. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Wokingham, North Somerset and Tewkesbury. 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 Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Basingstoke, Basing, Eastrop, Newnham, Nately Scures, Up Nately, Andwell Hampshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Stratfield Say Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Oxfordshire 018 South Oxfordshire
2 West Berkshire 011 West Berkshire
3 Wokingham 002 Wokingham
4 North Somerset 009 North Somerset
5 Tewkesbury 009 Tewkesbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cowdery

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cowdery

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cowdery, 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 Cowdery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Cowdery 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, Cowdery 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

Cowdery is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cowdery falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cowdery is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Cowdery

The surname Cowdery originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "cu" meaning cow and "hierde" meaning herd or keeper, suggesting that the name's earliest bearers were cowherds or cattle farmers. The name was initially spelled in various ways, including Cowdery, Coudrey, and Cowdray.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Cowdery can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from the year 1230, where a certain William Coudrey is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the southern counties of England by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, where a John Cowdray is listed as a taxpayer in the village of Cuckfield. This connection to place names is further evidenced by the existence of the village of Cowdray in West Sussex, which may have been named after an early bearer of the surname or vice versa.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Cowdery was William Cowdery, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Kent during the 16th century (c. 1520 - 1590). He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as a churchwarden for several years.

In the 17th century, the name appears in the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where Oliver Cowdery (1806 - 1850) was a prominent figure in the early Latter Day Saint movement. He acted as a scribe for Joseph Smith and was one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Another notable bearer of the surname was William Cowdery (1834 - 1893), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the former headquarters of the London Fire Brigade on Southwark Bridge Road.

In the 19th century, John Cowdery (1815 - 1891) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in New York City. He made his fortune in the textile industry and was known for his generous donations to various educational and charitable causes.

Finally, in the 20th century, Brigadier General Elliot Cowdery (1891 - 1975) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army, having served in both World War I and World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star for his bravery and leadership.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cowdery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cowdery 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. Middlesex leads with 94 Cowderys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.60x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 94 3.60x
Hampshire 84 15.68x
Surrey 19 1.49x
Berkshire 16 8.15x
Sussex 10 2.27x
Yorkshire 10 0.39x
Gloucestershire 7 1.37x
Staffordshire 7 0.79x
Essex 5 0.97x
Glamorgan 5 1.10x
Kent 2 0.22x
Lancashire 2 0.06x
Worcestershire 2 0.59x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.63x
Cheshire 1 0.17x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x
Northamptonshire 1 0.41x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stratfieldsaye in Hampshire leads with 23 Cowderys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4509.80x.

Place Total Index
Stratfieldsaye 23 4509.80x
Hillingdon 20 240.10x
Carisbrooke 19 255.38x
St Marylebone London 19 13.61x
Basing 10 1000.00x
Crondall 9 312.50x
Acton 8 52.22x
Battersea 8 8.32x
Richmond 8 197.53x
Caverswall 7 152.51x
St Pancras London 7 3.33x
Basingstoke 6 97.40x
Newent 6 229.89x
St George Hanover Square 6 13.03x
Brighton 5 5.62x
Crawley 5 1250.00x
Monk Sherborne 5 1162.79x
West Ham 5 4.39x
Ystradyfodwg 5 12.52x
Bow London 4 12.02x
Clerkenwell London 4 6.48x
Croydon 4 5.66x
East Swallowfield 4 1428.57x
Enfield 4 23.32x
Hendon 4 42.51x
Islington London 4 1.58x
Pinner 4 174.67x
Reading St Mary 4 25.45x
East Hendred 3 410.96x
Sherfield Upon Loddon 3 526.32x
Great Malvern 2 28.09x
Harwell 2 277.78x
Kensington London 2 1.38x
Liverpool 2 1.06x
Newport 2 68.73x
Rotherham 2 13.70x
Southampton St Mary 2 5.94x
Addington 1 416.67x
Bexley 1 12.69x
Birmingham 1 0.46x
Bromborough 1 83.33x
Brown Candover 1 416.67x
Chelsea London 1 1.27x
Clifton 1 3.86x
Epsom 1 16.10x
Finchampstead 1 166.67x
Great Grimsby 1 3.77x
Hackney London 1 0.68x
Hambledon 1 74.07x
Hammersmith London 1 1.55x
Hampstead London 1 2.46x
Hayes 1 37.45x
Heckfield 1 200.00x
Kelmarsh 1 526.32x
Lambeth 1 0.44x
Northwood 1 13.11x
Paddington London 1 1.04x
Portsea 1 0.95x
Reading St Giles 1 5.19x
Reading St Lawrence 1 23.81x
Richmond 1 5.60x
Southampton All Sts 1 10.88x
Southwark Christchurch 1 8.16x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.90x
St Faith Under St Pauls 1 476.19x
Turville 1 270.27x
Uxbridge 1 33.44x
Wandsworth 1 3.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 18
Mary 14
Elizabeth 9
Ann 7
Jane 6
Alice 5
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Louisa 4
Caroline 3
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Lucy 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Laura 2
Ruth 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Clar 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth 1
Francis 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lottie 1
Louise 1
Maria 1
Marian 1
Nellie 1
Nelly 1
Phoebe 1
Priscilla 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Totrum 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
Charles 17
George 11
Henry 8
John 8
Alfred 7
James 6
Richard 6
Frederick 4
Thomas 4
Walter 4
Daniel 3
Edward 3
Arthur 2
Austin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Matthew 2
Robert 2
Stephen 2
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Anthony 1
Archibald 1
David 1
Francis 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
J. 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Percival 1
Ricard 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Cowdery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cowdery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 268 people were recorded with the Cowdery surname. That placed it at #10,542 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cowdery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 286 in 2016. That gives Cowdery a modern rank of #15,240.

What does the Cowdery surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from a place name referring to a cow dairy or pasture.

What does the Cowdery map show?

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