Jowell

The surname Jowell has its origins in England and is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Jowel" or "Juwel," which meant "a jewel." This name became an occupational surname for someone involved in the jewelry trade or someone who lived near a jeweler's shop.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Jowell appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1273, where a John Juwel is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various spellings, such as Jouwel, Jowel, and Jewel, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that period. One notable individual with this surname was William Jowell, who served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in 1397.

During the 16th century, the name Jowell was particularly prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. In the Subsidy Rolls of 1524, there are records of John Jowell and Thomas Jowell, both residing in Oxfordshire.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Jowell was John Jowell, born in 1550 in Burford, Oxfordshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.

In the 17th century, the surname Jowell spread to other parts of England, including London. Roger Jowell, born in 1620 in Gloucestershire, was a noted silversmith and jeweler who established a successful business in the city of London.

Another notable individual with the surname Jowell was Sir Robert Jowell (1698-1771), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from Bristol. He made significant contributions to the city's infrastructure and was instrumental in the establishment of several charitable institutions.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Jowell surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with some families migrating to other parts of the British Empire, including Australia and North America.

Some other notable individuals with the surname Jowell include:

1. Thomas Jowell (1773-1846), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. 2. Elizabeth Jowell (1947-2018), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament and held various cabinet positions in the Labour government. 3. Sir Roger Jowell (1942-2011), a British social statistician and academic, known for his contributions to survey research methodology. 4. James Jowell (1820-1892), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas. 5. William Jowell (1858-1932), a Canadian entrepreneur and businessman, who founded the Jowell Lumber Company in Ontario.