NameCensus.

UK surname

Cowdrey

A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Old English word "cū-drāf" meaning a cattle drove or drover.

In the 1881 census there were 262 people recorded with the Cowdrey surname, ranking it #10,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 530, ranked #9,572, up from #10,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bishop's Sutton, London parishes and Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Havant and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cowdrey is 552 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 102.3%.

1881 census count

262

Ranked #10,721

Modern count

530

2016, ranked #9,572

Peak year

1999

552 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cowdrey had 262 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 530 in 2016, ranked #9,572.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 468 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cowdrey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cowdrey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cowdrey 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 124 #17,797
1881 historical 262 #10,721
1891 historical 300 #11,119
1901 historical 411 #9,300
1911 historical 468 #8,247
1997 modern 515 #9,110
1998 modern 536 #9,099
1999 modern 552 #8,959
2000 modern 534 #9,157
2001 modern 525 #9,128
2002 modern 526 #9,300
2003 modern 522 #9,204
2004 modern 520 #9,244
2005 modern 503 #9,405
2006 modern 504 #9,432
2007 modern 515 #9,357
2008 modern 512 #9,470
2009 modern 515 #9,630
2010 modern 526 #9,684
2011 modern 509 #9,821
2012 modern 503 #9,819
2013 modern 516 #9,783
2014 modern 525 #9,745
2015 modern 532 #9,567
2016 modern 530 #9,572

Geography

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Where Cowdreys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bishop's Sutton, London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Havant and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Bishop's Sutton Hampshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
2 Havant 010 Havant
3 Havant 009 Havant
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 024 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 020 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cowdrey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cowdrey

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Cowdrey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cowdrey is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cowdrey 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 Cowdrey 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 Cowdrey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cowdrey

The surname Cowdrey has its origins in England, specifically in the southern counties of Hampshire and Sussex. It is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "cu" meaning cow and "dræf" meaning drove or herd, suggesting it was initially an occupational name for someone who tended or herded cows.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where it appears as "Coudrey." It is also mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1332, recorded as "Coudreye." These early spellings highlight the variations that existed in the written form of the name during that time.

The Cowdrey surname is associated with several place names in the region, including Cowdray in Sussex and Cowdray Park, a historic estate located near Midhurst, West Sussex. This estate, dating back to the 16th century, was once owned by the prominent Cowdrey family, who held significant influence in the area.

One notable figure bearing the Cowdrey name was Sir John Cowdrey (c. 1551-1612), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Midhurst in 1601. He played a role in the construction of the grand manor house at Cowdray Park, which became a symbol of the family's wealth and status.

Another individual of historical significance was William Cowdrey (1560-1640), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Bradfield in Berkshire. He published several theological works during his lifetime, contributing to the religious discourse of the era.

In the 18th century, John Cowdrey (1708-1786) gained recognition as a prominent English architect. He designed several notable buildings in London, including the St. Paul's Cathedral library and the Church of St. Alphege in Greenwich.

Moving into the 19th century, William Cowdrey (1820-1893) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club. He captained the team for several seasons and is remembered as one of the club's early stars.

Throughout its history, the Cowdrey surname has maintained a strong presence in southern England, particularly in the counties of Hampshire and Sussex. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, the name has endured and been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, clergymen, architects, and sportsmen.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cowdrey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cowdrey 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 56 Cowdreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.48x.

County Total Index
Surrey 56 4.48x
Hampshire 49 9.32x
Middlesex 48 1.87x
Wiltshire 33 14.55x
Kent 16 1.83x
Sussex 16 3.70x
Buckinghamshire 12 7.74x
Lancashire 8 0.26x
Warwickshire 7 1.08x
Yorkshire 6 0.24x
Gloucestershire 5 0.99x
Essex 2 0.40x
Berkshire 1 0.52x
Dorset 1 0.59x
Durham 1 0.13x
Royal Navy 1 3.27x
Suffolk 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 15 Cowdreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.19x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 15 17.19x
Portsea 14 13.59x
Langley Marish 12 631.58x
All Cannings 11 2500.00x
Hammersmith London 11 17.41x
Cobham 10 487.80x
Deptford St Paul 10 14.81x
Wroughton 9 456.85x
Basingstoke 8 132.23x
St George Hanover Square 8 17.70x
Aldershot 7 39.75x
Avebury 7 1093.75x
Everton 7 7.22x
Lingfield 7 286.89x
Sanderstead 7 2058.82x
Holy Trinity 6 9.81x
Tandridge 6 1111.11x
Alverstoke 5 26.27x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 10.56x
Fulham London 5 13.44x
Hackney London 5 3.48x
Titchfield 5 126.26x
Aston 4 2.25x
Croydon 4 5.77x
Hursley 4 327.87x
Islington London 4 1.61x
Kingston On Thames 4 13.32x
Margate St John Baptist 4 24.95x
Oxted 4 264.90x
Birmingham 3 1.39x
Crondall 3 106.38x
Kensington London 3 2.10x
Lambeth 3 1.34x
Limpsfield 3 250.00x
Chelsea London 2 2.59x
Clerkenwell London 2 3.30x
Hornsey 2 6.17x
Paddington London 2 2.12x
St Martin In Fields 2 13.02x
Steeple Ashton 2 327.87x
West Ham 2 1.79x
Bermondsey 1 1.31x
Burbage 1 86.21x
Camberwell 1 0.61x
Caterham 1 18.08x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 10.95x
Damerham 1 185.19x
Devizes St James 1 33.22x
East Molesey 1 34.48x
Farnborough 1 18.12x
Goudhurst 1 41.32x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.29x
Haydock 1 19.08x
Lowestoft 1 6.78x
Newington 1 1.06x
Ouston 1 90.09x
Portsmouth 1 8.26x
Reigate Borough 1 34.72x
Royal Navy 1 3.83x
Shoreditch London 1 0.90x
Steventon 1 123.46x
Wandsworth 1 4.05x
Warlingham 1 98.04x
Warminster 1 20.12x
Westminster St James 1 3.79x
Wickham 1 103.09x
Wyke Regis 1 41.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 14
James 13
John 11
Charles 8
George 8
Arthur 5
Harry 5
Ernest 4
Thomas 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Frank 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Benjamin 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edward 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Geo.W. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Jno.G. 1
Joseph 1
Oliver 1
Paul 1
R. 1
Ralph 1
Rich. 1
Richd. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Cowdrey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cowdrey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 262 people were recorded with the Cowdrey surname. That placed it at #10,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cowdrey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 530 in 2016. That gives Cowdrey a modern rank of #9,572.

What does the Cowdrey surname mean?

A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Old English word "cū-drāf" meaning a cattle drove or drover.

What does the Cowdrey map show?

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