NameCensus.

UK surname

Fowle

An English and Anglo-Norman surname derived from the Old French word "fol" meaning foolish or wicked.

In the 1881 census there were 743 people recorded with the Fowle surname, ranking it #4,937 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 730, ranked #7,461, down from #4,937 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, Tendring and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fowle is 1,062 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.7%.

1881 census count

743

Ranked #4,937

Modern count

730

2016, ranked #7,461

Peak year

1911

1,062 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fowle had 743 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,937 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016, ranked #7,461.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,062 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Fowle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fowle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fowle 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 469 #5,291
1861 historical 536 #4,904
1881 historical 743 #4,937
1891 historical 877 #4,691
1901 historical 990 #4,805
1911 historical 1,062 #4,355
1997 modern 813 #6,449
1998 modern 849 #6,443
1999 modern 856 #6,447
2000 modern 843 #6,504
2001 modern 816 #6,543
2002 modern 825 #6,611
2003 modern 795 #6,685
2004 modern 785 #6,771
2005 modern 757 #6,905
2006 modern 766 #6,868
2007 modern 771 #6,899
2008 modern 764 #6,999
2009 modern 768 #7,115
2010 modern 770 #7,244
2011 modern 780 #7,093
2012 modern 759 #7,156
2013 modern 757 #7,289
2014 modern 753 #7,352
2015 modern 732 #7,463
2016 modern 730 #7,461

Geography

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Where Fowles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Lambeth and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Norfolk, Tendring, Doncaster, Swale and South Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 002 North Norfolk
2 Tendring 008 Tendring
3 Doncaster 002 Doncaster
4 Swale 008 Swale
5 South Norfolk 007 South Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fowle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fowle

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Fowle is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fowle is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fowle falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fowle 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 Fowle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Fowle

The surname Fowle has its origins in England, where it first appeared during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "fugol," which means "bird." This surname was likely given to someone who had a particular affinity for birds or perhaps worked with them in some capacity.

One of the earliest known records of the Fowle surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. The name was found in various spellings, including Fugol, Fugele, and Fowghel, indicating its ancient roots.

In the 13th century, a reference to a person named John Fowle can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1230. These rolls were administrative records that documented financial transactions and payments made to the Crown.

During the 14th century, the Fowle surname appeared in several historical documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of Berkshire (1273) and the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield (1347), suggesting that the name was well-established in various parts of England by this time.

One notable person with the Fowle surname was Sir Francis Fowle (1590-1675), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the 17th century. He was also a prominent landowner and played a significant role in the English Civil War.

Another individual of note was Thomas Fowle (1615-1685), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Hindon, Wiltshire. He was also a renowned author and published several legal treatises.

In the 18th century, John Fowle (1726-1809) was a prominent American printer and publisher from Boston, Massachusetts. He played a significant role in the American Revolution by publishing pamphlets and other materials that supported the patriot cause.

The Fowle surname can also be traced back to place names in England, such as Fowlmere in Cambridgeshire and Fowlcombe in Devon. These place names may have contributed to the development and spread of the surname in their respective regions.

Other notable individuals with the Fowle surname include William Fowle (1610-1687), an English-born American settler and one of the founders of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and Thomas Weston Fowle (1833-1896), an American lawyer and Civil War veteran who served as a Member of Congress from Massachusetts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fowle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fowle 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. Kent leads with 240 Fowles recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.73x.

County Total Index
Kent 240 9.73x
Middlesex 161 2.23x
Surrey 52 1.48x
Norfolk 45 4.05x
Wiltshire 41 6.41x
Lancashire 32 0.37x
Yorkshire 32 0.45x
Sussex 28 2.30x
Devon 12 0.80x
Somerset 12 1.03x
Hampshire 10 0.67x
Oxfordshire 10 2.24x
Durham 9 0.42x
Essex 8 0.56x
Northumberland 8 0.74x
Lincolnshire 6 0.52x
Argyllshire 4 1.99x
Berkshire 4 0.74x
Gloucestershire 4 0.28x
Cornwall 3 0.37x
Glamorgan 3 0.24x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.31x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.44x
Herefordshire 2 0.67x
Warwickshire 2 0.11x
Denbighshire 1 0.37x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Hertfordshire 1 0.20x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Midlothian 1 0.10x
Monmouthshire 1 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Shropshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 40 Fowles recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.97x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 40 44.97x
St Marylebone London 36 9.33x
Appledore 33 2049.69x
Chatham 26 38.32x
Shoreditch London 22 7.02x
Hammersmith London 19 10.67x
Egerton 15 697.67x
Hempstead 14 1346.15x
Gillingham 13 25.57x
Wighton 13 1023.62x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 8.07x
Islington London 11 1.57x
Lambeth 11 1.75x
Lofthouse 11 102.90x
Rochester St Margaret 11 42.29x
Snodland 11 157.37x
Woodborough 11 1122.45x
Bethnal Green London 10 3.18x
Camberwell 10 2.17x
Clayton 10 57.05x
Islip 10 671.14x
Kensington London 9 2.24x
Parbold 9 676.69x
St George Hanover Square 9 7.07x
Brighton 8 3.25x
Bermondsey 7 3.25x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 7 76.42x
Hackney London 7 1.73x
St Andrew Holborn London 7 22.37x
St George Martyr London 7 47.81x
Boughton Malherbe 6 545.45x
Cowpen 6 24.22x
Devizes St James 6 70.67x
Kenardington 6 1276.60x
Milverton 6 139.86x
Pewsey 6 127.66x
Preston Next Faversham 6 103.45x
Whitstable 6 49.59x
Bethersden 5 199.20x
Chelsea London 5 2.30x
Chute Forest 5 1282.05x
Dogmersfield 5 694.44x
Hindringham 5 342.47x
Lewisham 5 3.80x
Lutton 5 261.78x
Marden 5 86.51x
Milstead 5 793.65x
Rye 5 43.18x
Bradford On Avon 4 19.55x
Bromley 4 10.64x
Croydon 4 2.05x
Folkestone 4 8.36x
Kilmore Kilbride 4 31.32x
Lakenham 4 25.33x
Newington 4 1.50x
Paddington London 4 1.51x
Putney 4 12.14x
Romford 4 17.73x
Sittingbourne 4 20.53x
St George In East London 4 5.88x
Stoke Damerel 4 3.80x
Swinton In Rotherham 4 21.12x
West Barsham 4 1666.67x
Westoe 4 3.28x
Wickhambreux 4 333.33x
Edmonton 3 5.15x
Guildford St Nicholas 3 48.23x
Hastings St Andrew 3 68.65x
Holy Trinity 3 1.74x
Liskeard 3 21.91x
Maidstone 3 4.08x
Margate St John Baptist 3 6.64x
Ramsbury 3 51.81x
Sunderland 3 7.90x
Swansea Town 3 2.91x
Tilehurst 3 27.37x
Totnes 3 34.09x
Walcot 3 4.84x
West Ham 3 0.95x
Westminster St Margaret 3 8.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 44
Thomas 27
Henry 26
George 23
John 23
Charles 14
James 13
Edward 12
Richard 11
Frank 9
Alfred 8
Benjamin 7
Robert 7
Walter 7
Arthur 6
Francis 6
Frederick 6
Albert 5
Edwin 5
Joseph 5
Harry 4
Ernest 3
Geo. 3
Herbert 3
Samuel 3
Stephen 3
David 2
E. 2
Edmund 2
Horace 2
Humphrey 2
Nicholas 2
Sydney 2
Tom 2
Barnard 1
Chas.H. 1
Chas.Ruben 1
Christopher 1
Clifford 1
Edwd. 1
Emma 1
Fredc. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Hendry 1
Jabez 1
Jarvis 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Jonathan 1

FAQ

Fowle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fowle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 743 people were recorded with the Fowle surname. That placed it at #4,937 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fowle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 730 in 2016. That gives Fowle a modern rank of #7,461.

What does the Fowle surname mean?

An English and Anglo-Norman surname derived from the Old French word "fol" meaning foolish or wicked.

What does the Fowle map show?

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