NameCensus.

UK surname

Lowes

A surname derived from Old English words meaning "little hill" or "little mound".

In the 1881 census there were 1,739 people recorded with the Lowes surname, ranking it #2,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,365, ranked #2,771, down from #2,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, East Lindsey and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lowes is 2,512 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.0%.

1881 census count

1,739

Ranked #2,484

Modern count

2,365

2016, ranked #2,771

Peak year

1911

2,512 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lowes had 1,739 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,365 in 2016, ranked #2,771.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,512 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Lowes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lowes surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Lowes 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 1,193 #2,383
1861 historical 1,367 #2,098
1881 historical 1,739 #2,484
1891 historical 2,067 #2,236
1901 historical 2,214 #2,444
1911 historical 2,512 #2,043
1997 modern 2,356 #2,647
1998 modern 2,384 #2,719
1999 modern 2,453 #2,674
2000 modern 2,405 #2,706
2001 modern 2,370 #2,686
2002 modern 2,395 #2,718
2003 modern 2,330 #2,726
2004 modern 2,331 #2,720
2005 modern 2,309 #2,714
2006 modern 2,260 #2,760
2007 modern 2,278 #2,767
2008 modern 2,277 #2,788
2009 modern 2,337 #2,794
2010 modern 2,412 #2,776
2011 modern 2,428 #2,737
2012 modern 2,335 #2,777
2013 modern 2,351 #2,796
2014 modern 2,371 #2,793
2015 modern 2,351 #2,788
2016 modern 2,365 #2,771

Geography

Back to top

Where Lowes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Long Benton and Middleton-in-Teesdale. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, East Lindsey, Gateshead and Northumberland. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
4 Long Benton Northumberland
5 Middleton-in-Teesdale Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 058 County Durham
2 East Lindsey 008 East Lindsey
3 Gateshead 024 Gateshead
4 County Durham 018 County Durham
5 Northumberland 035 Northumberland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Lowes

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Lowes

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Lowes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Lowes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Lowes is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Lowes is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lowes falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lowes

The surname Lowes has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hlaw," which means a small hill or mound, or the word "hloew," meaning a burial mound or tumulus. This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who lived near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Lowes can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Lowe." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property in England, providing valuable insight into the names and locations of individuals during that time.

In the 13th century, the surname was also spelled as "Lowe" and "Lowys," reflecting the variations in spellings that were common before standardization. Records from this period show individuals bearing the name residing in various parts of England, including Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Staffordshire.

A notable figure from history with the surname Lowes was Sir Thomas Lowes (1484-1546), an English politician and Member of Parliament. He served as the High Sheriff of Derbyshire and represented the county in the House of Commons during the reign of Henry VIII.

Another prominent individual was John Lowes (1633-1700), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1691 to 1700. He is remembered for his contributions to the university's administration and his scholarly works.

In the 18th century, Robert Lowes (1738-1798) was a renowned English engraver and print publisher. His works included portraits, historical scenes, and landscapes, and he played a significant role in the development of printmaking in Britain.

Moving into the 19th century, we find William Lowes (1809-1888), an English architect and surveyor. He was known for his work on several churches and public buildings in the Gothic Revival style, including the prestigious Marlborough House in London.

Finally, one of the most celebrated individuals with the surname Lowes was the American poet Robert Lowes Stevenson (1850-1894). Best known for his works such as "Treasure Island" and "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," he is regarded as a literary giant and a master of adventure fiction.

The surname Lowes has a rich history, with its roots firmly grounded in England's medieval past. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Lowes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lowes 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. Durham leads with 787 Lowes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.59x.

County Total Index
Durham 787 15.59x
Northumberland 434 17.20x
Cumberland 116 7.94x
Yorkshire 77 0.46x
Lancashire 67 0.33x
Kent 54 0.93x
Middlesex 53 0.31x
Surrey 45 0.54x
Cheshire 14 0.37x
Glamorgan 11 0.37x
Lincolnshire 10 0.37x
Derbyshire 9 0.34x
Essex 9 0.27x
Suffolk 8 0.39x
Berkshire 4 0.31x
Lanarkshire 4 0.07x
Leicestershire 4 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.17x
Staffordshire 4 0.07x
Berwickshire 3 1.46x
Renfrewshire 3 0.23x
Sussex 3 0.10x
Gloucestershire 2 0.06x
Hampshire 2 0.06x
Norfolk 2 0.08x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.37x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.14x
Devon 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.09x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Oxfordshire 1 0.10x
Somerset 1 0.04x
Warwickshire 1 0.02x
Westmorland 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middleton In Teesdale in Durham leads with 82 Lowes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 615.62x.

Place Total Index
Middleton In Teesdale 82 615.62x
Stanhope 62 118.98x
Bishopwearmouth 56 12.93x
Longbenton 40 37.42x
Newcastle On Tyne St 37 28.28x
Conside Knitsley 36 91.74x
Elswick 30 14.89x
Gateshead 28 7.41x
Heworth 28 28.15x
Stranton 26 15.30x
Esh 25 68.06x
Stockton On Tees 23 9.45x
Bedlington 22 26.10x
Westoe 21 7.34x
Earsdon 19 92.55x
St Giles 19 60.32x
Middlesbrough 18 8.22x
Westgate 18 11.52x
Workington 18 21.53x
Crook Billy Row 17 26.30x
Wolsingham 17 36.96x
West Auckland 16 86.72x
Fawdon 15 710.90x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 15 6.86x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 15 9.95x
Sedgefield 14 77.82x
Tudhoe 14 31.71x
Toxteth Park 13 1.91x
Arlecdon 12 30.90x
Monkwearmouth Shore 12 12.18x
Preston In Tynemouth 12 120.97x
St Pancras London 12 0.88x
Benwell 11 39.87x
Bothel Threapland 11 482.46x
Caldewgate 11 13.75x
Crossgate 11 49.84x
Melkridge 11 617.98x
Southwick 11 23.01x
Swansea Town 11 4.54x
West Newton Allonby 11 216.11x
East Murton 10 105.82x
Eggleston 10 230.41x
Hexham 10 25.60x
Plumstead 10 5.18x
Camberwell 9 0.83x
Darlington 9 4.62x
Everton 9 1.40x
Gillingham 9 7.54x
Lambeth 9 0.61x
Longhurst 9 184.05x
Streatlam Stainton 9 454.55x
Sunderland 9 10.10x
Waldridge 9 106.51x
Accrington 8 4.37x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 8 20.63x
Eltringham 8 296.30x
North Seaton 8 75.54x
Northfleet 8 15.69x
Ovington 8 258.06x
Pelton 8 33.32x
Prudhoe 8 45.56x
Reigate Foreign 8 8.94x
Wall Town 8 2222.22x
Witton Gilbert 8 40.16x
Bermondsey 7 1.39x
Brandon Byshottles 7 11.07x
Cornforth 7 47.11x
Corsenside 7 177.22x
Dawdon 7 11.28x
Ingoldmells 7 496.45x
Jesmond 7 19.71x
Lynesack Softley 7 51.36x
Sebergham 7 216.72x
Staindrop 7 91.38x
Tunstall 7 27.86x
Warden 7 135.66x
Hartlepool 6 8.36x
Morpeth 6 20.22x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 1.76x
Thornley 6 32.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 142
Elizabeth 102
Sarah 66
Margaret 65
Jane 60
Ann 31
Isabella 29
Hannah 26
Annie 24
Catherine 14
Emily 13
Alice 12
Ellen 10
Eleanor 9
Frances 8
Margret 8
Margt. 8
Martha 8
Rebecca 7
Dorothy 6
Edith 6
Florence 6
Maria 6
Agnes 5
Eliz. 5
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Esther 5
Harriet 5
Dora 4
Julia 4
Barbara 3
Clara 3
Elizth. 3
Ellenor 3
Kate 3
M. 3
Meggie 3
Susan 3
Susanna 3
Susannah 3
Amy 2
Charlotte 2
Dinah 2
Ethel 2
Letitia 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 159
William 111
Thomas 90
George 60
Robert 60
Joseph 55
James 50
Edward 26
Henry 18
Richard 17
Charles 14
Ralph 14
Matthew 13
Thos. 10
Frederick 9
Jonathan 9
Walter 9
Wm. 9
Benjamin 8
Christopher 8
Alfred 7
Nicholas 7
Samuel 7
Jno. 5
Arthur 3
Ezra 3
Francis 3
Geo. 3
Jacob 3
Mathew 3
Michael 3
Robt. 3
Andrew 2
Anthony 2
Chas. 2
David 2
Emerson 2
Frank 2
Frederic 2
Herbert 2
Jas. 2
Johnson 2
Joselph 2
Alpheus 1
B.H. 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Ernest 1
Isaac 1

FAQ

Lowes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lowes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,739 people were recorded with the Lowes surname. That placed it at #2,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lowes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,365 in 2016. That gives Lowes a modern rank of #2,771.

What does the Lowes surname mean?

A surname derived from Old English words meaning "little hill" or "little mound".

What does the Lowes map show?

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