NameCensus.

UK surname

Cowe

A topographic surname referring to a cow shed or cattle meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 807 people recorded with the Cowe surname, ranking it #4,623 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,029, ranked #5,676, down from #4,623 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coldingham, Eyemouth and Duns. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chirnside and Area, Northumberland and Fraserburgh Harbour and Broadsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cowe is 1,284 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.5%.

1881 census count

807

Ranked #4,623

Modern count

1,029

2016, ranked #5,676

Peak year

1901

1,284 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cowe had 807 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,623 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,029 in 2016, ranked #5,676.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,284 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Cowe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cowe surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cowe 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 397 #6,070
1861 historical 601 #4,411
1881 historical 807 #4,623
1891 historical 1,134 #3,753
1901 historical 1,284 #3,876
1911 historical 468 #8,247
1997 modern 1,131 #4,958
1998 modern 1,125 #5,153
1999 modern 1,141 #5,142
2000 modern 1,136 #5,132
2001 modern 1,097 #5,185
2002 modern 1,101 #5,272
2003 modern 1,075 #5,277
2004 modern 1,089 #5,232
2005 modern 1,078 #5,219
2006 modern 1,049 #5,351
2007 modern 1,050 #5,391
2008 modern 1,043 #5,455
2009 modern 1,053 #5,537
2010 modern 1,060 #5,600
2011 modern 1,031 #5,678
2012 modern 997 #5,749
2013 modern 1,020 #5,736
2014 modern 1,020 #5,767
2015 modern 1,026 #5,695
2016 modern 1,029 #5,676

Geography

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Where Cowes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coldingham, Eyemouth, Duns, Edinburgh and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chirnside and Area, Northumberland, Fraserburgh Harbour and Broadsea, IZ14 and Berwickshire East. 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 Coldingham Berwick
2 Eyemouth Berwick
3 Duns Berwick
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chirnside and Area Scottish Borders
2 Northumberland 001 Northumberland
3 Fraserburgh Harbour and Broadsea Aberdeenshire
4 IZ14 East Lothian
5 Berwickshire East Scottish Borders

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cowe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cowe

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Cowe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Cowe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Cowe is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Cowe 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

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

Meaning and origin of Cowe

The surname COWE has its origins in England, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "cu," meaning cow, suggesting that the original bearers of this name were likely associated with the raising or herding of cattle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name COWE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties across much of England and parts of Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror. This historical document mentions individuals with the surname COWE residing in various counties, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Throughout the centuries, the COWE surname has undergone several spelling variations, such as COWEY, COWY, and COWIE, reflecting regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that period. The name has also been associated with various place names, such as Cow Hill in Oxfordshire and Cow Park in Gloucestershire, further reinforcing its connection to cattle-related activities.

Notable individuals who bore the COWE surname include:

1. William COWE (c. 1550-1622), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Northill in Bedfordshire. 2. John COWE (c. 1670-1745), a prominent landowner and merchant in colonial Virginia, whose family played a significant role in the early settlement of the region. 3. Elizabeth COWE (1762-1837), a renowned English botanist and illustrator, known for her detailed and accurate depictions of plant life. 4. Robert COWE (1808-1879), a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the iconic Scott Monument. 5. Mary COWE (1865-1931), an American suffragette and activist who campaigned tirelessly for women's right to vote in the early 20th century.

The COWE surname has persisted throughout the centuries, with its bearers leaving their mark on various fields, from religion and commerce to art and architecture. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, its connection to the pastoral roots of cattle-raising remains a significant part of its rich historical legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cowe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cowe 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. Berwickshire leads with 215 Cowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 225.53x.

County Total Index
Berwickshire 215 225.53x
East Lothian 133 127.55x
Midlothian 124 11.76x
Durham 78 3.33x
Northumberland 70 5.98x
Aberdeenshire 61 8.37x
Lanarkshire 22 0.86x
Selkirkshire 15 21.06x
Brecknockshire 12 7.62x
Angus 11 1.51x
Lancashire 9 0.10x
Yorkshire 8 0.10x
Fife 6 1.29x
Roxburghshire 6 4.21x
Warwickshire 5 0.25x
West Lothian 5 4.22x
Banffshire 3 1.84x
Devon 3 0.18x
Dumfriesshire 3 1.73x
Glamorgan 3 0.22x
Middlesex 3 0.04x
Perthshire 3 0.85x
Sussex 3 0.23x
Hampshire 2 0.12x
Isle of Man 1 0.68x
Kent 1 0.04x
Peeblesshire 1 2.70x
Surrey 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Coldingham in Berwickshire leads with 48 Cowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 560.09x.

Place Total Index
Coldingham 48 560.09x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 47 11.08x
Bishopwearmouth 37 18.41x
Berwick Upon Tweed 33 132.96x
Dunse 31 342.92x
Westoe 29 21.84x
Swinton 27 1034.48x
Eyemouth 25 314.47x
Haddington 23 149.45x
Dunbar 22 150.48x
Prestonkirk 22 422.26x
South Leith 18 15.17x
Peterhead 16 41.50x
Eccles 13 311.00x
Tweedmouth 13 89.04x
Aberdeen Old Machar 12 7.88x
Battle 12 3243.24x
Innerwick 12 571.43x
Panbride 11 289.47x
West Calder 11 52.91x
Salton 10 645.16x
Bunkle Preston 9 459.18x
Selkirk 9 44.87x
Stenton 9 562.50x
Cockburnspath 8 262.30x
Coldstream 8 115.94x
Longformacus 8 769.23x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 8 11.44x
Rutherglen 8 21.42x
Udny 8 181.00x
Westruther 8 439.56x
Wigan 8 6.13x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 7 5.13x
Edrom 7 171.57x
Glasgow 7 1.55x
Hutton 7 268.20x
North Leith 7 14.34x
Whitekirk Tynninghame 7 245.61x
Chirnside 6 146.70x
Dysart 6 19.12x
Edinburgh New 6 73.26x
Oldhamstocks 6 392.16x
Penicuik 6 41.87x
Whitsome 6 397.35x
Barony 5 0.78x
Birmingham 5 0.76x
Cockpen 5 40.55x
Garvald 5 242.72x
Great Ayton 5 104.60x
Inveresk 5 17.51x
Melrose 5 27.89x
Newham In Belford 5 769.23x
Norham 5 192.31x
Temple 5 119.33x
Gateshead 4 2.28x
Keithhall 4 168.07x
Kelso 4 28.15x
Linlithgow 4 26.32x
Spott 4 256.41x
Throckley 4 123.84x
Tullynessle Forbes 4 149.81x
Yester 4 159.36x
Athelstaneford 3 145.63x
Dalkeith 3 14.42x
Darlington 3 3.32x
Edinburgh Canongate 3 11.18x
Edinburgh High Church 3 45.32x
Forglen 3 150.00x
Moulin 3 53.76x
Plymouth Charles The 3 4.16x
Skene 3 62.11x
Swansea St Thomas 3 21.79x
Tranent 3 21.29x
Hamilton 2 2.82x
Hastings St Mary 2 6.06x
Mordington 2 202.02x
New Machar 2 48.78x
Portsmouth 2 5.38x
St Giles 2 13.68x
St Marylebone London 2 0.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 11
Jane 8
Agnes 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Catherine 3
Hannah 3
Isabella 3
Margaret 3
Robina 3
Ann 2
Barbara 2
Dorothy 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Helen 2
Jessie 2
Margt. 2
Adelaide 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Christiana 1
Clarissa 1
Cordelia 1
Corderlias 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Eliz. 1
Elspeth 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Henrie 1
Isa. 1
Janet 1
Jennie 1
Julia 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Margt.A. 1
Martha 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 20
Robert 10
William 8
Thomas 7
George 6
James 6
David 5
Peter 5
Willm. 5
Andrew 4
Henry 3
Ebenezer 2
Joseph 2
Thos. 2
Adam 1
Alexander 1
Alexr 1
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Jno.Thos. 1
Julius 1
Ralph 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Walter 1
Willm 1

FAQ

Cowe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cowe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 807 people were recorded with the Cowe surname. That placed it at #4,623 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cowe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,029 in 2016. That gives Cowe a modern rank of #5,676.

What does the Cowe surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to a cow shed or cattle meadow.

What does the Cowe map show?

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