UK surname
A Scottish surname meaning "dark" or "tanned."
In the 1881 census there were 91 people recorded with the Dows surname, ranking it #20,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 64, ranked #34,098, down from #20,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kintbury, Kings Langley and Dudley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dows is 117 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.7%.
1881 census count
91
Ranked #20,843
Modern count
64
2016, ranked #34,098
Peak year
1861
117 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dows surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dows surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 98 | #17,383 |
| 1861 | historical | 117 | #18,635 |
| 1881 | historical | 91 | #20,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 88 | #25,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 115 | #21,050 |
| 1911 | historical | 83 | #24,531 |
| 1997 | modern | 76 | #29,997 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 80 | #30,152 |
| 2000 | modern | 73 | #30,881 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 68 | #31,880 |
| 2005 | modern | 75 | #31,400 |
| 2006 | modern | 69 | #32,343 |
| 2007 | modern | 73 | #32,287 |
| 2008 | modern | 71 | #32,753 |
| 2009 | modern | 70 | #33,182 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 69 | #33,532 |
| 2012 | modern | 69 | #33,695 |
| 2013 | modern | 73 | #33,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 71 | #33,717 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 64 | #34,098 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kintbury, Kings Langley, Dudley, Clee and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kintbury | Berkshire |
| 2 | Kings Langley | Hertfordshire |
| 3 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Clee | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dows surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dows, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dows surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dows household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dows is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dows is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dows, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname DOWS is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "dun" meaning "hill" or "down". It is believed to have originated as a habitational name, referring to someone who lived near a hill or downland area.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, with entries such as Robert de la Dune appearing in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1230. The spelling variations during this time included Dun, Dunne, Downe, and Doun.
In the 14th century, the surname DOWS began to appear in various records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where Richard de la Downe was mentioned in 1279. This suggests that the name had spread to various parts of England by this point.
One notable historical reference is the presence of the name DOWS in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners and tenants in England after the Norman Conquest. This indicates that the name has a long-standing presence in English history.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the spelling of the name became more standardized, with DOWS emerging as a common variant. Notable individuals from this period include:
1. John Dows (c. 1550-1610), an English composer and organist known for his work in the Chapel Royal. 2. Roger Dowes (1572-1628), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious topics.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the DOWS surname continued to be present across various parts of England and Wales. Some notable individuals from this period include:
1. Thomas Dowse (1767-1856), an English-born American businessman and philanthropist who donated his extensive book collection to the Massachusetts Historical Society. 2. Edmund Dows (1786-1867), an English-born American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Chicago. 3. Edward Dows (1824-1895), an American businessman and politician who served as the 17th Governor of Connecticut from 1887 to 1889.
As the DOWS surname spread to other parts of the world through immigration, it also acquired variations in spelling and pronunciation, such as Dowse, Dowse, and Douse.
Throughout its history, the surname DOWS has been associated with various occupations and social classes, from artists and clergymen to businessmen and politicians, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dows surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 45 Dows' recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.06x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 45 | 32.06x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.86x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.80x |
| Berkshire | 5 | 7.59x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 4.23x |
| Stirlingshire | 4 | 12.35x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.03x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.67x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.23x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.42x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.90x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.38x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 5.74x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Thoresby in Lincolnshire leads with 23 Dows' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| North Thoresby | 23 | 10000.00x |
| Fulstow | 9 | 5294.12x |
| Tottington Lower End | 8 | 161.62x |
| Sculcoates | 7 | 50.76x |
| Boston | 5 | 117.37x |
| Falkirk | 4 | 52.77x |
| Great Grimsby | 4 | 44.89x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 4 | 13.07x |
| Brighton | 3 | 10.05x |
| Kintbury | 3 | 588.24x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 2.71x |
| Burnham | 2 | 185.19x |
| Newbury | 2 | 94.79x |
| Ramsgate | 2 | 40.90x |
| Tetney | 2 | 833.33x |
| Beelsby | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.62x |
| East Retford | 1 | 97.09x |
| Gosberton | 1 | 161.29x |
| Huntingdon St John | 1 | 196.08x |
| Penge | 1 | 17.83x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 2.63x |
| Stranton | 1 | 11.38x |
| Stretford | 1 | 17.45x |
| Wingerworth | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dows surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dows surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dows households.
FAQ
In 1881, 91 people were recorded with the Dows surname. That placed it at #20,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 64 in 2016. That gives Dows a modern rank of #34,098.
A Scottish surname meaning "dark" or "tanned."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dows bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.