NameCensus.

UK surname

Vowles

An English surname derived from the Old French words "voille" or "voul," meaning "veil" or "headdress."

In the 1881 census there were 1,434 people recorded with the Vowles surname, ranking it #2,906 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,068, ranked #3,125, down from #2,906 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blaenau Gwent, Mendip and North Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vowles is 2,313 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.2%.

1881 census count

1,434

Ranked #2,906

Modern count

2,068

2016, ranked #3,125

Peak year

1999

2,313 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vowles had 1,434 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,906 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,068 in 2016, ranked #3,125.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,151 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Vowles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vowles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vowles 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 972 #2,870
1861 historical 772 #3,566
1881 historical 1,434 #2,906
1891 historical 1,524 #2,900
1901 historical 2,014 #2,652
1911 historical 2,151 #2,337
1997 modern 2,212 #2,803
1998 modern 2,283 #2,828
1999 modern 2,313 #2,812
2000 modern 2,298 #2,808
2001 modern 2,226 #2,841
2002 modern 2,235 #2,882
2003 modern 2,161 #2,912
2004 modern 2,185 #2,884
2005 modern 2,137 #2,903
2006 modern 2,123 #2,922
2007 modern 2,122 #2,951
2008 modern 2,106 #2,995
2009 modern 2,150 #3,018
2010 modern 2,188 #3,028
2011 modern 2,181 #2,998
2012 modern 2,118 #3,022
2013 modern 2,143 #3,045
2014 modern 2,115 #3,106
2015 modern 2,079 #3,128
2016 modern 2,068 #3,125

Geography

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Where Vowles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe and Clifton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blaenau Gwent, Mendip, North Somerset and Sedgemoor. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe Somerset
5 Clifton Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
2 Mendip 014 Mendip
3 North Somerset 013 North Somerset
4 Mendip 012 Mendip
5 Sedgemoor 012 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vowles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vowles

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

Vowles 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

Vowles falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Vowles

The surname VOWLES is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who hailed from a place called Vowles or a similarly spelled variation.

In its earliest known form, the name was likely derived from the Old English word "fal," meaning a fallow or uncultivated field, combined with a possessive suffix. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname may have resided near or owned land associated with a fallow field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire, dating back to 1190, where it appears as "de Falweles." This early spelling variation hints at the name's locational roots and provides insight into its evolution over time.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Falewelle" and "de Falewell," further solidifying its connection to a specific place. It is worth noting that place names were often subject to linguistic changes and regional dialects, leading to numerous spelling variations.

In the 14th century, records from the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire mention a John de Falewell, suggesting that the name had spread beyond its original location. This period also saw the emergence of the more modern spelling "Vowles," which became more prevalent in later centuries.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname VOWLES. One such person was William Vowles (1582-1655), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Willesborough in Kent. Another was Richard Vowles (1628-1686), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as a Baron of the Exchequer in England during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, John Vowles (1702-1763) made a name for himself as a renowned engraver and sculptor, renowned for his intricate work on coins and medals. His son, William Vowles (1742-1795), followed in his footsteps and became a respected engraver and medallist as well.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Joseph Vowles (1813-1887), a notable English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.

While the surname VOWLES may have originated from a specific location, it has since spread across various regions, with bearers contributing to various fields throughout history. Its evolution and variations reflect the rich tapestry of English linguistic heritage and the diverse backgrounds of those who carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vowles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vowles 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. Somerset leads with 706 Vowles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.25x.

County Total Index
Somerset 706 31.25x
Gloucestershire 384 13.95x
Middlesex 58 0.41x
Yorkshire 37 0.27x
Glamorgan 35 1.43x
Surrey 28 0.41x
Monmouthshire 26 2.56x
Wiltshire 22 1.77x
Lancashire 19 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 15 0.79x
Staffordshire 15 0.32x
Dorset 12 1.30x
Kent 11 0.23x
Sussex 11 0.46x
Cheshire 8 0.26x
Derbyshire 7 0.32x
Warwickshire 6 0.17x
Berkshire 5 0.47x
Essex 5 0.18x
Worcestershire 5 0.27x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.47x
Royal Navy 4 2.39x
Shropshire 4 0.33x
Devon 3 0.10x
Hampshire 3 0.10x
Herefordshire 3 0.52x
Channel Islands 2 0.48x
Cornwall 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clifton in Gloucestershire leads with 57 Vowles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.95x.

Place Total Index
Clifton 57 40.95x
Barrow Gurney 55 3716.22x
Bristol St Paul In 43 58.63x
Bedminster 42 19.78x
Bristol St James St Paul 34 37.04x
Wedmore 30 204.08x
Mark 28 531.31x
Bitton 26 108.51x
Easton In Gordano 26 285.71x
Westbury On Trym 26 27.88x
Weston Super Mare 26 45.57x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 24 9.26x
Chew Stoke 23 688.62x
Winford 20 439.56x
Compton Bishop 19 716.98x
Nempnett Thrubwell 19 1826.92x
Meare 18 265.49x
Backwell 17 366.38x
Filton 17 1180.56x
Bristol St George 16 12.57x
Bristol St James In 16 39.52x
Compton Martin 16 804.02x
Street 16 130.93x
Wraxall 16 371.23x
Blagdon 15 315.13x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 15 82.42x
Bristol St Michael 14 59.32x
Long Ashton 14 124.89x
Mile End Old Town 14 6.32x
Nailsea 14 156.77x
Keynsham 13 80.10x
Leeds 13 1.66x
West Bromwich 13 4.79x
Winscombe 13 213.11x
Yatton 13 147.90x
Whitchurch 12 493.83x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 11 43.86x
Chapel Allerton 11 916.67x
Englishcombe 11 438.25x
Henbury 11 81.91x
Nottingham St Mary 11 2.25x
Wrington 11 145.12x
Cossington 10 909.09x
Glastonbury 10 54.23x
Roath 10 9.01x
Butcombe 9 1000.00x
Cheddar 9 79.16x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 9 17.86x
Llantwit Vairdre 9 32.76x
Portbury 9 238.73x
Swindon 9 9.35x
Wells St Andrew 9 443.35x
Bedwellty 8 4.47x
Bristol St Augustine 8 18.01x
Catcott 8 303.03x
Chiswick 8 10.43x
Dundry 8 295.20x
Gillingham 8 50.54x
Horsham 8 17.40x
Lambeth 8 0.65x
Risca 8 41.82x
Walcot 8 6.65x
Wells St Cuthbert 8 51.88x
Aberavon 7 31.12x
Battersea 7 1.36x
Bristol St Peter 7 71.07x
Corsham 7 38.65x
Crowcombe 7 330.19x
Priston 7 569.11x
Stapleton 7 13.40x
Thornaby 7 13.47x
Thornbury 7 37.19x
Berkeley Ham Stone 6 480.00x
Bristol St John Baptist 6 235.29x
Bristol Temple 6 33.11x
Bromley London 6 1.94x
Burnham 6 34.82x
Flax Bourton 6 714.29x
Leamington Priors 6 6.89x
West Harptree 6 266.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 82
Sarah 67
Elizabeth 57
Alice 30
Ann 24
Eliza 24
Emily 24
Jane 24
Ellen 23
Annie 20
Emma 19
Florence 13
Harriet 13
Louisa 13
Martha 12
Ada 11
Amelia 10
Susan 9
Charlotte 8
Hannah 8
Maria 8
Agnes 7
Anna 7
Caroline 7
Julia 7
Minnie 7
Sophia 7
Clara 6
Edith 6
Fanny 6
Kate 6
Anne 5
Eva 5
Harriett 5
Amy 4
Ethel 4
Frances 4
Lucy 4
Margaret 4
Matilda 4
Bessie 3
Catherine 3
Esther 3
Lilly 3
Rhoda 3
Rose 3
Flora 2
Lizzie 2
Louisea 2
Mabel 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 74
John 72
George 51
Thomas 45
James 43
Charles 40
Henry 37
Joseph 29
Edward 26
Alfred 25
Albert 20
Frederick 19
Samuel 16
Herbert 15
Robert 14
Arthur 13
Ernest 11
Richard 11
Walter 11
Edwin 10
Francis 9
Frank 9
Harry 7
Benjamin 6
Tom 6
Sidney 5
Stephen 4
Edgar 3
Fred 3
Fredk. 3
Jas. 3
Philip 3
Wm. 3
Dennis 2
Earnest 2
Edmund 2
Elias 2
Fredrick 2
Job 2
Joshua 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Percival 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Reuben 2
Sydney 2
Ed.Jno. 1
Frederic 1
Wm.V. 1

FAQ

Vowles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vowles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,434 people were recorded with the Vowles surname. That placed it at #2,906 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vowles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,068 in 2016. That gives Vowles a modern rank of #3,125.

What does the Vowles surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French words "voille" or "voul," meaning "veil" or "headdress."

What does the Vowles map show?

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