NameCensus.

UK surname

Lowrey

English surname derived from a place name meaning "laurel tree" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 568 people recorded with the Lowrey surname, ranking it #6,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 720, ranked #7,543, down from #6,114 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Bees, Newcastle All Saints and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Copeland and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lowrey is 733 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.8%.

1881 census count

568

Ranked #6,114

Modern count

720

2016, ranked #7,543

Peak year

2010

733 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lowrey had 568 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,114 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 720 in 2016, ranked #7,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 568 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Lowrey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lowrey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lowrey 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 369 #6,443
1861 historical 363 #7,045
1881 historical 568 #6,114
1891 historical 435 #8,279
1901 historical 483 #8,256
1911 historical 518 #7,624
1997 modern 680 #7,410
1998 modern 709 #7,398
1999 modern 701 #7,506
2000 modern 691 #7,557
2001 modern 671 #7,607
2002 modern 681 #7,677
2003 modern 672 #7,634
2004 modern 685 #7,526
2005 modern 679 #7,526
2006 modern 692 #7,421
2007 modern 696 #7,455
2008 modern 714 #7,366
2009 modern 724 #7,434
2010 modern 733 #7,504
2011 modern 714 #7,581
2012 modern 703 #7,580
2013 modern 723 #7,545
2014 modern 732 #7,524
2015 modern 730 #7,482
2016 modern 720 #7,543

Geography

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Where Lowreys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Bees, Newcastle All Saints, Gateshead, Liverpool and Chester-le-Street. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Copeland and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 St Bees Cumberland
2 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Chester-le-Street Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Copeland 003 Copeland
2 Copeland 005 Copeland
3 Copeland 001 Copeland
4 Copeland 002 Copeland
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 020 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lowrey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lowrey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lowrey, 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 Lowrey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Lowrey 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Lowrey is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lowrey 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

Lowrey falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lowrey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lowrey

The surname Lowrey has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hlow" meaning "hill" or "mound," and "rig" meaning "ridge." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived on or near a hill or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where it appears as "Laurence de Lourig." This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that time period, as they were often adapted based on local dialects and pronunciation.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Lowryg," "Louring," and "Lourynge," in records from counties like Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. This indicates that the name was well-established in different regions of England.

The Lowrey name has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One prominent example is Joseph Lowrey (1585-1644), an English composer and organist who served as the organist of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. His contributions to sacred music and church anthems were significant during the 17th century.

Another notable figure was Sir Robert Lowrey (1623-1699), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1681. He played a role in the political climate of the time, particularly during the Restoration period under King Charles II.

In the 18th century, the name gained recognition through individuals like Robert Lowry (1716-1777), a Scottish poet and writer who authored works such as "A New Geographical Grammar" and "A Short Introduction to the Study of Geography." His works contributed to the dissemination of geographical knowledge during the Enlightenment era.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Robert Lowry (1826-1899), an American Baptist minister and composer who wrote numerous hymns, including the famous "Shall We Gather at the River." His contributions to religious music and hymnody left a lasting impact on the Christian tradition.

Throughout its history, the Lowrey surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Lowry Hill in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Lowry City in Missouri, further cementing its connection to geographical features.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lowrey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lowrey 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. Northumberland leads with 162 Lowreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.62x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 162 19.62x
Durham 87 5.27x
Lancashire 85 1.29x
Yorkshire 80 1.45x
Cumberland 64 13.39x
Devon 19 1.64x
Surrey 12 0.44x
Lincolnshire 9 1.01x
Middlesex 8 0.14x
Flintshire 6 4.02x
Kent 6 0.32x
Angus 5 0.97x
Hampshire 5 0.44x
Sutherland 5 11.72x
Cheshire 3 0.24x
Cornwall 3 0.48x
Lanarkshire 3 0.17x
Royal Navy 2 3.02x
Warwickshire 2 0.14x
Glamorgan 1 0.10x
Isle of Man 1 0.97x
Sussex 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newcastle On Tyne All Sts in Northumberland leads with 59 Lowreys recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.63x.

Place Total Index
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 59 119.63x
Byker 28 68.59x
Leeds 23 7.41x
Liverpool 19 4.75x
Egremont 18 158.03x
Cleator 15 75.41x
Lamesley 15 168.73x
Hutton Henry 14 402.30x
Allendale 13 169.71x
Whicham 11 1527.78x
Whitehaven 10 39.26x
Ashburton 9 163.04x
Dewsbury 9 15.95x
Kirkdale 9 8.12x
Newton 9 3103.45x
Arlecdon 8 62.94x
Bishopwearmouth 8 5.64x
Cocken 8 776.70x
Hulme 8 5.82x
Newcastle On Tyne St 8 18.69x
Lanchester 7 231.02x
Camberwell 6 1.69x
Everton 6 2.86x
Gateshead 6 4.85x
Heeley 6 35.91x
Oldham 6 2.82x
Sutton 6 27.16x
Wigan 6 6.52x
Armley 5 20.61x
Ecclesfield 5 12.40x
Elswick 5 7.59x
Hartlepool 5 21.30x
Headingley Cum Burley 5 14.12x
Kildonan 5 135.14x
Lofthouse 5 60.90x
Preston 5 2.84x
Radcliffe 5 15.75x
Rochester St Margaret 5 25.04x
St Giles 5 48.50x
Whitford 5 64.68x
Alnwick 4 28.17x
Broomhaugh 4 952.38x
Dartmouth Townstall 4 84.93x
Dawdon 4 19.69x
Exeter St David 4 40.53x
Fawdon Clinch Hartside 4 1290.32x
Great Ryle 4 3076.92x
Hunslet 4 4.66x
Liff Benvie 4 5.12x
Wallsend 4 15.27x
Wortley In Bramley 4 9.18x
Barony 3 0.66x
Bradford 3 2.25x
Fulham London 3 3.73x
Great Lumley 3 106.01x
Hendon 3 15.02x
Lambeth 3 0.62x
Middlesbrough 3 4.19x
Milfield 3 909.09x
North Meols 3 4.65x
Portsea 3 1.35x
Skirbeck Quarter 3 185.19x
Southowram 3 17.87x
Tetney 3 196.08x
Toxteth Park 3 1.35x
Whitby 3 16.18x
Aldershot 2 5.25x
Berwick Upon Tweed 2 11.43x
Birmingham 2 0.43x
Camborne 2 7.73x
Manchester 2 0.68x
Ripon 2 15.67x
Royal Navy 2 3.54x
Stockport 2 3.17x
Stockton On Tees 2 2.51x
Swineshead 2 68.49x
Trimdon 2 34.25x
West Derby 2 1.04x
Westgate 2 3.91x
Widdrington 2 101.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 50
Elizabeth 29
Sarah 19
Jane 18
Ann 15
Catherine 10
Ellen 10
Margaret 10
Isabella 9
Barbara 7
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Elizth. 5
Hannah 5
Annie 3
Bridget 3
Cecilia 3
Esther 3
Frances 3
Julia 3
Martha 3
Nancy 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Christiana 2
Ethel 2
Eva 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Rebecca 2
Susannah 2
Annah 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Cathrine 1
Diana 1
Dinah 1
Dorathy 1
Eliz.Eloner 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Huzetta 1
Isabelle 1
Jennie 1
Jessie 1
Lavinia 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 46
William 30
Thomas 29
James 17
Joseph 15
Robert 15
George 12
Charles 9
Richard 9
Edward 8
Henry 7
David 5
Alexander 4
Andrew 4
Isaac 4
Michael 4
Arthur 3
Christopher 3
Patrick 3
Samuel 3
Jas. 2
Martin 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alfred 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Herbert 1
Harry 1
Jas.Ed. 1
Josep 1
Laurence 1
Luke 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Micheal 1
Morris 1
Nichol. 1
Nicholas 1
Oswald 1
Paul 1
Pheris 1
Philip 1
Ralph 1
Robt. 1
Simon 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Lowrey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lowrey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 568 people were recorded with the Lowrey surname. That placed it at #6,114 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lowrey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 720 in 2016. That gives Lowrey a modern rank of #7,543.

What does the Lowrey surname mean?

English surname derived from a place name meaning "laurel tree" in Old English.

What does the Lowrey map show?

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