NameCensus.

UK surname

Lowder

A variant of Lowther, an English surname derived from a place name meaning "peaceful settlement by the river."

In the 1881 census there were 203 people recorded with the Lowder surname, ranking it #12,717 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 144, ranked #24,390, down from #12,717 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Rumney and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bassetlaw, Taunton Deane and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lowder is 265 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.1%.

1881 census count

203

Ranked #12,717

Modern count

144

2016, ranked #24,390

Peak year

1911

265 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lowder had 203 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,717 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016, ranked #24,390.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 265 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Lowder surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lowder surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lowder 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 177 #11,441
1861 historical 160 #14,468
1881 historical 203 #12,717
1891 historical 183 #15,918
1901 historical 229 #13,894
1911 historical 265 #12,422
1997 modern 178 #18,958
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 177 #19,670
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 162 #20,460
2002 modern 156 #21,348
2003 modern 162 #20,624
2004 modern 156 #21,261
2005 modern 156 #21,221
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 146 #22,822
2009 modern 148 #23,141
2010 modern 153 #23,175
2011 modern 145 #23,837
2012 modern 146 #23,681
2013 modern 152 #23,438
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 144 #24,390

Geography

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Where Lowders are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Rumney, London parishes, Warlingham and Fakenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bassetlaw, Taunton Deane, Peterborough, Northumberland and Ashfield. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Rumney Glamorganshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Warlingham Surrey
5 Fakenham Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bassetlaw 001 Bassetlaw
2 Taunton Deane 003 Taunton Deane
3 Peterborough 019 Peterborough
4 Northumberland 016 Northumberland
5 Ashfield 004 Ashfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lowder

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lowder

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lowder, 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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Lowder surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lowder household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lowder is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lowder is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lowder falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lowder is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lowder

The surname LOWDER is an English locational surname that originated in the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English word "hlowan," which means "to resound" or "to make a loud noise." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place where loud noises were commonly heard, such as near a waterfall or a blacksmith's forge.

The earliest known record of the LOWDER surname dates back to the 13th century in the county of Gloucestershire, England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a document recording landowners and their holdings, a Robert le Lowder is mentioned as holding land in the village of Lowderwyk, which likely derived its name from the surname.

During the Middle Ages, the LOWDER surname was also found in other parts of England, including Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The variations in spelling, such as Lowther and Loughter, were common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable historical figure bearing the LOWDER surname was Sir Richard Lowder (c. 1510-1555), a prominent English lawyer and judge during the reign of Queen Mary I. He served as a Justice of the Common Pleas and played a significant role in the legal proceedings surrounding the Lady Jane Grey affair.

In the 17th century, the LOWDER surname was found in various parishes across England. One record from 1674 mentions a John LOWDER who was buried in the parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Another notable individual from this era was William LOWDER (1626-1705), an English cartographer and mathematician who published several works on navigation and surveying.

Moving into the 18th century, the LOWDER surname continued to be prominent in various parts of England. James LOWDER (1760-1832), a renowned English landscape painter, was born in Hertfordshire and is known for his picturesque depictions of rural scenes.

In the 19th century, the LOWDER surname was still prevalent, with individuals such as Charles LOWDER (1820-1880), an influential Anglican priest and one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. He played a significant role in the revival of Catholic ritual and doctrine within the Church of England.

Throughout its history, the LOWDER surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including law, cartography, art, and the clergy. While the exact origin of the name may be lost to time, its roots can be traced back to medieval England, where it emerged as a locational surname reflecting the sounds and landscapes of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lowder families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lowder 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 31 Lowders recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.59x.

County Total Index
Kent 31 4.59x
Surrey 27 2.80x
Lincolnshire 19 6.00x
Middlesex 19 0.96x
Norfolk 15 4.93x
Staffordshire 13 1.94x
Lancashire 11 0.47x
Yorkshire 10 0.51x
Glamorgan 7 2.03x
Sussex 7 2.10x
Worcestershire 6 2.32x
Durham 4 0.68x
Essex 4 1.02x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.50x
Warwickshire 4 0.80x
Cheshire 3 0.69x
Devon 3 0.73x
Hampshire 3 0.74x
Somerset 3 0.94x
Dorset 2 1.54x
Westmorland 2 4.60x
Cornwall 1 0.45x
Cumberland 1 0.59x
Derbyshire 1 0.32x
Gloucestershire 1 0.26x
Midlothian 1 0.38x
Oxfordshire 1 0.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hawkhurst in Kent leads with 19 Lowders recorded in 1881 and an index of 904.76x.

Place Total Index
Hawkhurst 19 904.76x
Wolverhampton 13 25.30x
Reigate Foreign 10 95.69x
East Beckham 8 20000.00x
Westminster St John 8 33.18x
Cardiff St John 6 53.29x
Crowhurst 6 2068.97x
Grimoldby 6 2400.00x
Habergham Eaves 6 27.93x
Hollington 6 504.20x
Kings Norton 6 25.87x
Newington 6 8.20x
Messingham 5 649.35x
Westminster St Margaret 5 52.36x
Gresham 4 1538.46x
Holme 4 8000.00x
Lambeth 4 2.32x
Lewisham 4 11.10x
Marske In Guisbrough 4 114.94x
Nottingham St Mary 4 5.79x
Bradford 3 6.32x
Bridgewater 3 34.68x
Eltham 3 75.76x
Honiton 3 131.58x
Leamington Priors 3 24.41x
Ratcliffe London 3 27.45x
Willington 3 88.24x
Chislehurst 2 55.25x
Greenwich 2 6.35x
Hyde 2 15.50x
Kensington London 2 1.82x
Lancaster 2 14.31x
Orton 2 153.85x
Portsea 2 2.51x
Sculthorpe 2 500.00x
South Weald 2 59.70x
Spittlegate 2 45.66x
Sutton Stoneferry 2 35.65x
West Ham 2 2.32x
Baginton 1 666.67x
Barrow In Furness 1 3.13x
Benfieldside 1 25.84x
Bridport 1 37.31x
Bromley London 1 2.30x
Chester St Oswald 1 12.64x
Cranborne 1 63.69x
Dalton In Furness 1 11.03x
Denton 1 270.27x
Fakenham 1 66.67x
Great Badminton 1 303.03x
Gt Tew 1 312.50x
Kingston On Thames 1 4.31x
Lasswade 1 16.50x
Lymington 1 33.56x
Maker 1 48.31x
Moresby 1 153.85x
Nether Kellet 1 526.32x
Roath 1 6.39x
Skidbrook 1 357.14x
Wales 1 64.52x
Whitwell 1 81.30x
Wivelsfield 1 76.92x
Woolwich 1 4.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 9
Alice 7
Sarah 5
Ellen 4
Jane 4
Ann 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Helena 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
A. 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Celia 1
Charlotte 1
Clarissa 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth.J. 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Flora 1
Jessie 1
Laure 1
Louise 1
M. 1
Mabel 1
Margart.Anne 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Miriam 1
Olivia 1
Pheebe 1
Precelia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 13
George 12
James 8
Henry 7
Thomas 7
Joseph 5
Robert 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Charles 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Cyril 1
Daniel 1
Eliakim 1
Ernest 1
Florence 1
Fred 1
Harold 1
Jethro 1
Saml.N. 1
Sydney 1
Walter 1
Windsor 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Lowder surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lowder surname in 1881?

In 1881, 203 people were recorded with the Lowder surname. That placed it at #12,717 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lowder surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016. That gives Lowder a modern rank of #24,390.

What does the Lowder surname mean?

A variant of Lowther, an English surname derived from a place name meaning "peaceful settlement by the river."

What does the Lowder map show?

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