UK surname
A variant spelling of the surname referring to someone who lived near a spring or stream.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Fowers surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 66, ranked #33,948, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Peter, St Alkmund and Mickleover. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fowers is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.7%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
66
2016, ranked #33,948
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fowers surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fowers surname density by area, 1861 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 83 | #26,376 |
| 1901 | historical | 65 | #26,917 |
| 1911 | historical | 85 | #24,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 67 | #30,915 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 72 | #30,955 |
| 2000 | modern | 75 | #30,668 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 74 | #31,048 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 62 | #33,346 |
| 2008 | modern | 61 | #33,655 |
| 2009 | modern | 60 | #33,989 |
| 2010 | modern | 64 | #33,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 61 | #34,121 |
| 2012 | modern | 63 | #34,095 |
| 2013 | modern | 69 | #33,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 69 | #33,788 |
| 2016 | modern | 66 | #33,948 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Peter, St Alkmund, Mickleover, St Werburgh and Blackburn. 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 | St Peter | Derbyshire |
| 2 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Mickleover | Staffordshire |
| 4 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fowers 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 Fowers, 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 Fowers surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fowers 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, Fowers 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 Fowers is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fowers, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fowers is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "fugol," meaning "bird." It likely originated as an occupational name referring to someone who caught or dealt with birds, such as a fowler or a bird catcher.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Fowers can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Fughelere" in Cambridgeshire. This spelling variation suggests that the name was originally pronounced with a "gh" sound, similar to the Scottish "loch."
Over the centuries, the name underwent various spelling changes, including Fowler, Fouler, and eventually Fowers. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language.
One notable bearer of the Fowers name was John Fowers, a prominent merchant in the city of London during the 16th century. Records indicate that he was involved in the thriving wool trade and served as a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
In the 17th century, the name Fowers was found in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, where it was associated with the village of Fowlers End. This place name is believed to have originated from the Old English "fugolere," meaning "bird-catcher's place."
Another notable figure with the surname Fowers was William Fowers, born in 1712 in Oxfordshire. He was a renowned clockmaker and horologist, known for his innovative timepiece designs and contributions to the field of horology.
During the 19th century, the Fowers family spread across various parts of the British Isles, with some members emigrating to the United States and Canada. One such individual was Thomas Fowers, born in 1825 in Yorkshire, who later settled in Ontario, Canada, where he established a successful farming community.
Another prominent bearer of the Fowers name was Mary Fowers, a suffragette and women's rights activist born in 1860 in Lancashire. She played a significant role in the campaign for women's suffrage in the early 20th century and was a prominent figure in the Women's Social and Political Union.
Throughout history, the surname Fowers has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, artisans, farmers, and activists, all contributing to the rich tapestry of English heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fowers 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. Derbyshire leads with 25 Fowers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 25 | 34.12x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 1.98x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.19x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.65x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 4.96x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.31x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 2.76x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Twyford Stenson in Derbyshire leads with 10 Fowers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 25000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Twyford Stenson | 10 | 25000.00x |
| Blackburn | 8 | 54.13x |
| Findern | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Derby St Peter | 5 | 214.59x |
| Rotherhithe | 5 | 86.51x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 3 | 70.92x |
| Over Darwen | 3 | 67.57x |
| Gilcrux | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Sheffield | 2 | 13.55x |
| Cathcart | 1 | 51.02x |
| Dundee | 1 | 6.18x |
| Leeds | 1 | 3.82x |
| Litchurch | 1 | 33.90x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fowers 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 Fowers 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 Fowers households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Agl Lab | 2 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Drayman | 2 |
| Lace Hand | 2 |
| Agl Serv | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Brick Layers Labourer | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Cowkeeper (Milk Seller) | 1 |
| Dairy Maid | 1 |
| Engine Driver At Works | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer & Innkeeper | 1 |
| Lace Mender | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Fowers surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 66 in 2016. That gives Fowers a modern rank of #33,948.
A variant spelling of the surname referring to someone who lived near a spring or stream.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fowers 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.