NameCensus.

UK surname

Dowe

A variant spelling of an English locational surname referring to someone from Doveridge, Derbyshire.

In the 1881 census there were 185 people recorded with the Dowe surname, ranking it #13,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 401, ranked #11,857, up from #13,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Chedgrave, Northfleet and Beccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dowe is 423 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 116.8%.

1881 census count

185

Ranked #13,506

Modern count

401

2016, ranked #11,857

Peak year

1911

423 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dowe had 185 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 401 in 2016, ranked #11,857.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 423 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dowe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dowe surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dowe 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 153 #12,721
1861 historical 322 #7,911
1881 historical 185 #13,506
1891 historical 295 #11,255
1901 historical 349 #10,457
1911 historical 423 #8,924
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 397 #11,400
1999 modern 387 #11,722
2000 modern 389 #11,645
2001 modern 381 #11,637
2002 modern 392 #11,607
2003 modern 369 #11,941
2004 modern 371 #11,914
2005 modern 372 #11,813
2006 modern 371 #11,916
2007 modern 399 #11,396
2008 modern 404 #11,374
2009 modern 407 #11,556
2010 modern 415 #11,654
2011 modern 396 #11,943
2012 modern 396 #11,807
2013 modern 407 #11,766
2014 modern 412 #11,743
2015 modern 402 #11,861
2016 modern 401 #11,857

Geography

Back to top

Where Dowes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Chedgrave, Northfleet, Beccles, Cambridge: St Mary the Less and St Botolph and Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. 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 Chedgrave Norfolk
2 Northfleet Kent
3 Beccles Suffolk
4 Cambridge: St Mary the Less and St Botolph Cambridgeshire
5 Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 015 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Great Yarmouth 002 Great Yarmouth
3 Norwich 006 Norwich
4 Norwich 011 Norwich
5 Norwich 005 Norwich

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dowe

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dowe

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

Dowe 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

Dowe 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 Dowe 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dowe

The surname DOWE originated in England and dates back to the late 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "dufe," meaning "dove," and was likely an occupational name for someone who raised or sold doves. The name was initially spelled in various ways, including Douve, Duve, and Dove.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DOWE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as Duue. This manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented landholders and their properties throughout England.

During the 13th century, the surname DOWE appeared in various records and documents across different regions of England. Notably, in 1273, a John Dowe was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire. These rolls were a survey of landowners and their holdings, providing valuable insight into the distribution of surnames during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname DOWE was associated with places like Dowesborough in Worcestershire and Doweshill in Gloucestershire, indicating a connection between the name and certain geographical locations. Additionally, the name appeared in various legal records and court documents from that time.

One notable figure bearing the surname DOWE was Sir John Dowe (1561-1628), an English landowner and Member of Parliament from Gloucestershire. He played a significant role in local affairs and was known for his involvement in the textile industry.

Another prominent individual was Thomas Dowe (1573-1655), a renowned English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of St. Andrew's Church in Cambridge. He was widely respected for his scholarly works and contributions to the Church of England.

In the 17th century, the name DOWE was associated with several notable families, including the Dowes of Cheshire and the Dowes of Derbyshire. These families were influential landowners and contributed significantly to the local economies and social fabric of their respective regions.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Richard Dowe (1735-1810), a prominent English artist known for his landscapes and portraiture. His works were highly regarded and can be found in various art collections across the United Kingdom.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname DOWE was Sir Henry Dowe (1809-1892), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Crimean War. He was recognized for his bravery and strategic leadership, earning him numerous military honors and accolades.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Dowe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dowe 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. Norfolk leads with 48 Dowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.39x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 48 17.39x
Suffolk 48 21.96x
Cambridgeshire 19 16.71x
Kent 18 2.94x
Yorkshire 16 0.90x
Lancashire 7 0.33x
Middlesex 7 0.39x
Worcestershire 5 2.13x
Surrey 4 0.46x
Essex 3 0.85x
Lanarkshire 2 0.34x
Oxfordshire 2 1.80x
Lincolnshire 1 0.35x
Midlothian 1 0.42x
Shropshire 1 0.64x
Somerset 1 0.35x
Sussex 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ipswich St Margaret in Suffolk leads with 26 Dowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 350.40x.

Place Total Index
Ipswich St Margaret 26 350.40x
St Marythe Less 16 2318.84x
Beccles 13 369.32x
Caistor St Edmund 11 12222.22x
Chedgrave 11 4782.61x
Northfleet 8 148.15x
Irstead 7 7777.78x
Sheffield 7 12.36x
Forncett St Peter 6 1578.95x
Holbeck 6 50.93x
Claxton 5 3846.15x
Kidderminster Borough 5 36.44x
Minster In Sheppey 5 49.26x
Gillingham 3 1071.43x
Great Yarmouth 3 13.12x
Habergham Eaves 3 15.41x
Lowestoft 3 29.04x
Ringsfield 3 1666.67x
South Mimms 3 121.95x
Tillingham 3 483.87x
Bampton 2 232.56x
Chesterton 2 56.98x
Ipswich St Peter 2 68.03x
Lambeth 2 1.28x
Margate St John Baptist 2 17.84x
Maryhill 2 17.61x
St George Bloomsbury 2 19.42x
Toxteth Park 2 2.77x
Welton Melton 2 384.62x
Badingham 1 243.90x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 5.91x
Brighton 1 1.64x
Camberwell 1 0.87x
Carleton St Peter 1 1666.67x
Chatham 1 5.93x
Clun 1 90.91x
Deptford St Paul 1 2.12x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.03x
Liverpool 1 0.77x
Mile End Old Town London 1 2.62x
Putney 1 12.22x
Rimpton 1 625.00x
Sicklinghall 1 714.29x
Sisland 1 2500.00x
St Botolph Cambridge 1 344.83x
St Nicholas Lincoln 1 36.50x
Strood 1 28.65x
Westminster St James 1 5.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 11
George 8
James 8
William 8
Robert 7
Charles 5
Alfred 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Daniel 3
Harry 3
Thomas 3
Chas.Edwd. 2
Edgar 2
Henry 2
Edward 1
Edwd.Reeve 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Gerard 1
Horace 1
Joseph 1
Nicholas 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Saml. 1
Saml.Wm. 1
Wm.Woodthorpe 1

FAQ

Dowe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dowe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 185 people were recorded with the Dowe surname. That placed it at #13,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dowe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 401 in 2016. That gives Dowe a modern rank of #11,857.

What does the Dowe surname mean?

A variant spelling of an English locational surname referring to someone from Doveridge, Derbyshire.

What does the Dowe map show?

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