NameCensus.

UK surname

Sowe

A surname derived from a variant spelling of the English town name Sawey.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Sowe surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 193, ranked #20,039, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Brampton and Leek. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Crawley, Camden and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sowe is 329 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2312.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

1861

329 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sowe had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 329 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Sowe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sowe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sowe 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 329 #7,748
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 211 #14,366
1901 historical 8 #33,289
1911 historical 69 #25,965
1997 modern 49 #32,776
1998 modern 45 #33,374
1999 modern 47 #33,320
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 52 #32,764
2002 modern 73 #31,159
2003 modern 66 #31,879
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 154 #22,536
2010 modern 162 #22,292
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 163 #21,989
2013 modern 165 #22,163
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 181 #20,934
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

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Where Sowes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Brampton, Leek, Wigan and Eccles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Crawley, Camden, Croydon, Manchester and Birmingham. 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 Brampton Derbyshire
3 Leek Staffordshire
4 Wigan Lancashire
5 Eccles Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Crawley 012 Crawley
2 Camden 015 Camden
3 Croydon 030 Croydon
4 Manchester 023 Manchester
5 Birmingham 049 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sowe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sowe

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Sowe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Sowe 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Sowe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Sowe is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sowe 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 Sowe 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
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Sowe

The surname SOWE has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "sow," meaning a female pig or a ridge of land. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a ridge or who worked with pigs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a Richard Sowe is mentioned in Oxfordshire. The surname also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, with a John Sowe listed.

In the 14th century, the name SOWE was found in various records across England. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332 mention a William Sowe in Worcestershire, while the Poll Tax Returns of 1379 list a John Sowe in Yorkshire.

The SOWE surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Sowe in Warwickshire and Sowerby in Yorkshire. These place names likely influenced the spelling variations of the surname, including Sow, Sowe, and Sowerby.

One notable individual with the SOWE surname was Sir Henry Sowe, a Member of Parliament for Bristol in the early 15th century. He was born around 1380 and served in the Parliament of 1415.

Another significant figure was John Sowe, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Coventry, who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his charitable work and founded a hospital in Coventry.

In the 16th century, the name SOWE appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of 1524, where a Thomas Sowe is listed in Gloucestershire. The Muster Rolls of 1539 also mention a William Sowe in Nottinghamshire.

One of the most notable individuals with the SOWE surname was Sir Thomas Sowe, a prominent lawyer and judge who lived from 1532 to 1610. He served as the Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1592 to 1610.

In the 17th century, the name SOWE continued to be found in various records across England. The Parish Registers of Oxfordshire from 1601 list a Robert Sowe, while the Hearth Tax Returns of 1674 mention a William Sowe in Warwickshire.

Overall, the surname SOWE has a rich history in England, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. It has been associated with various place names, occupations, and notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sowe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sowe 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. Warwickshire leads with 4 Sowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.34x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 4 20.34x
Yorkshire 3 3.88x
Kent 1 3.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brotton in Yorkshire leads with 3 Sowes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3000.00x.

Place Total Index
Brotton 3 3000.00x
Foleshill 3 1428.57x
Aston 1 18.45x
Woolwich 1 102.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Hannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Thomas 2
Chas.F. 1
George 1
Mathew 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Sowe households.

FAQ

Sowe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sowe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Sowe surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sowe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Sowe a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Sowe surname mean?

A surname derived from a variant spelling of the English town name Sawey.

What does the Sowe map show?

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