NameCensus.

UK surname

Lowis

A variant spelling of "Lewis", derived from the French form of the Germanic name Lodewig.

In the 1881 census there were 373 people recorded with the Lowis surname, ranking it #8,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 477, ranked #10,344, down from #8,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Grainthorpe with Ludney and Wrangholm, Bongate or Appleby St Michael and Kirkby Stephen. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eden and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lowis is 616 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.9%.

1881 census count

373

Ranked #8,380

Modern count

477

2016, ranked #10,344

Peak year

1861

616 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lowis had 373 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 477 in 2016, ranked #10,344.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 616 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lowis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lowis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lowis 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 356 #6,636
1861 historical 616 #4,325
1881 historical 373 #8,380
1891 historical 515 #7,249
1901 historical 496 #8,098
1911 historical 503 #7,800
1997 modern 527 #8,948
1998 modern 533 #9,135
1999 modern 543 #9,068
2000 modern 552 #8,917
2001 modern 543 #8,892
2002 modern 548 #9,000
2003 modern 535 #9,018
2004 modern 536 #9,032
2005 modern 513 #9,276
2006 modern 509 #9,355
2007 modern 491 #9,689
2008 modern 494 #9,738
2009 modern 492 #9,979
2010 modern 503 #10,017
2011 modern 491 #10,094
2012 modern 482 #10,131
2013 modern 492 #10,138
2014 modern 484 #10,338
2015 modern 478 #10,343
2016 modern 477 #10,344

Geography

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Where Lowis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Grainthorpe with Ludney and Wrangholm, Bongate or Appleby St Michael, Kirkby Stephen, London parishes and Crosby Ravensworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eden and East Lindsey. 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 Grainthorpe with Ludney and Wrangholm Lincolnshire
2 Bongate or Appleby St Michael Westmorland
3 Kirkby Stephen Westmorland
4 London parishes London 3
5 Crosby Ravensworth Westmorland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eden 007 Eden
2 Eden 006 Eden
3 East Lindsey 008 East Lindsey
4 Eden 004 Eden
5 East Lindsey 002 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lowis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lowis

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Lowis 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

Lowis 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

Lowis 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 Lowis 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 Lowis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lowis

The surname LOWIS is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "hlaw," meaning a small hill or mound. It likely originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a hill or on a small rise.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Hlawe" and "de la Hlawe." This suggests that the name was already established in different parts of England by the late 11th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William de la Lowe, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1195. Another early record is that of Richard de la Lowe, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1272.

The name underwent various spelling variations over the centuries, including Lowe, Lowes, Lowis, and Lowys. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the preferences of individual scribes.

In the 14th century, there are records of a John de la Lowe in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, dated 1327. Additionally, a Richard de la Lowe was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1332.

As the name spread across England, it became associated with certain place names, such as Lowe Hill in Cheshire and Low Moor in Yorkshire. Some bearers of the name may have derived their surnames from these specific locations.

Notable individuals with the surname LOWIS include:

1. Sir John Lowis (c. 1490-1567), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1545. 2. William Lowis (1590-1662), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 3. Richard Lowis (1632-1710), an English merchant and landowner in Virginia, one of the earliest settlers in the American colonies. 4. Samuel Lowis (1708-1782), a British mathematician and astronomer, known for his contributions to the calculation of comets' orbits. 5. Mary Lowis (1795-1876), an English writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education in the 19th century.

While the name has been more commonly spelled as Lowe or Lowes in recent times, the LOWIS variation has maintained a presence throughout history, reflecting the diverse origins and evolution of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lowis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lowis 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. Lincolnshire leads with 123 Lowis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.14x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 123 21.14x
Westmorland 118 147.56x
Yorkshire 29 0.80x
Cumberland 28 8.94x
Surrey 14 0.79x
Lancashire 12 0.28x
Durham 9 0.83x
Northumberland 8 1.48x
Devon 6 0.79x
Angus 5 1.48x
Gloucestershire 5 0.70x
Middlesex 5 0.14x
Kent 4 0.32x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.87x
Cheshire 1 0.12x
Leicestershire 1 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.20x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shap in Westmorland leads with 40 Lowis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2272.73x.

Place Total Index
Shap 40 2272.73x
Grainthorpe 14 1609.20x
Sedburgh 13 866.67x
Kirkby Stephen 12 579.71x
Ormside 11 4230.77x
Friesthorpe 10 12500.00x
Kirton 10 429.18x
Muker 10 961.54x
Appleby St Michael 9 500.00x
Hatcliffe 9 3600.00x
Staffield 9 2903.23x
Bampton 8 1176.47x
Compton 8 1355.93x
Horncastle 8 133.33x
Darlington 7 16.75x
Louth 7 52.51x
Milbourne 7 2333.33x
North Somercotes 7 460.53x
Orby 7 1372.55x
Appleby St Lawrence 6 329.67x
Long Marton 6 674.16x
North Thoresby 6 638.30x
Skendleby 6 1764.71x
Wallbottle 6 521.74x
Workington 6 33.44x
Barrow In Furness 5 8.52x
Bratoft 5 1851.85x
Brougham 5 1351.35x
Cawkwell 5 8333.33x
Conisholme 5 2941.18x
Dundee 5 3.97x
Morland 5 1086.96x
St Cuthbert W O 5 32.74x
Upper Holker 5 490.20x
Bristol St George 4 12.12x
Frampton 4 363.64x
Lambeth 4 1.26x
Tonbridge 4 8.93x
Ainstable 3 535.71x
Ecclesfield 3 11.35x
St George Bloomsbury 3 14.37x
Thorpe St Peter 3 422.54x
Tormoham 3 9.36x
Wragby 3 468.75x
Crosby Ravensworth 2 204.08x
Dufton 2 384.62x
Elm 2 88.50x
Fallowfield 2 3333.33x
Hesket In Forest 2 81.97x
Hunslet 2 3.56x
Little Steeping 2 588.24x
St Luke London 2 3.43x
West Barkwith 2 1333.33x
Witton Le Wear 2 65.15x
Wolborough 2 20.90x
Yarborough 2 588.24x
Burslem 1 2.84x
Chard 1 14.10x
Covenham St Mary 1 769.23x
Croydon 1 1.02x
Gamblesby 1 294.12x
Gloucester Holy Trinity 1 161.29x
Great Grimsby 1 2.71x
Hameringham 1 454.55x
Heversham With Milnthorpe 1 51.81x
High Barton 1 217.39x
Kirkland 1 58.48x
Langton By Spilsby 1 370.37x
Loughborough 1 5.46x
Lowther 1 169.49x
Moulton 1 35.71x
Newington 1 0.74x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.71x
Ravenstonedale 1 90.09x
Renwick 1 312.50x
Slyne With Hest 1 263.16x
Tranmere 1 3.39x
Wadsworth 1 17.04x
Wardleworth 1 4.05x
Worlaby By Aldford 1 1250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 17
Jane 13
Ann 11
Sarah 11
Alice 7
Agnes 6
Margaret 6
Ellen 5
Betsy 4
Eliza 4
Clara 3
Emma 3
Hannah 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Dinah 2
Ellenor 2
Isabella 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Susanna 2
Susannah 2
Adeline 1
Alugria 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Bella 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Cressida 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Elenor 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizh. 1
Elleanor 1
Emily 1
Frances 1
Helen 1
Ida 1
Jessie 1
M. 1
Margret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 33
George 15
Joseph 14
Thomas 12
William 10
James 9
Charles 8
Henry 7
Richard 6
Robert 5
Edward 4
Arthur 3
Edwin 3
Michael 3
Ralph 3
David 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Mark 2
Ninian 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Walter 2
Ben 1
Brigham 1
Bryham 1
Cecil 1
Chas.William 1
Christopher 1
Etwarth 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Greenbank 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Horrace 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Linton 1
Lot 1
Matthew 1
Olphaga 1
Richd. 1
Ross 1
Rowland 1
Samuel 1
Septimus 1
Stephen 1
T. 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Lowis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lowis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 373 people were recorded with the Lowis surname. That placed it at #8,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lowis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 477 in 2016. That gives Lowis a modern rank of #10,344.

What does the Lowis surname mean?

A variant spelling of "Lewis", derived from the French form of the Germanic name Lodewig.

What does the Lowis map show?

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