Bowles Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Bowles Name Meaning: A variant of 'Bowell'.This is from 'Powell' (Howell),from 'Hywel' meaning 'Eminent'. Possibly habitational from Howell in Lincolnshire.

This name has been popular since the middle ages in particular in honour of the great 10th century Welsh king.

Discover how your Bowles ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Bowles Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Bowles family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 379
Agricultural Labourer 174
House Servant 55
Labourer 46
Dress Maker 36
Servant 33
Laundress 19
Farm Labourer 19
Carpenter 18
At Home 18
Pauper 15
Shoe Maker 14
General Servant 12
Tailor 12
House Keeper 12
Gardener 11
Mariner 11
Errand Boy 11
Charwoman 10
Assistant 10
Coal Miner 9
Weaver 9
Cook 9
Annuitant 8
Farm Servant 7

Bowles Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Bowles 100% 33,314
2 Boles 83% 901
3 Booles 83% 852
4 Bools 67% 652
5 Bowls 83% 649
6 Bowels 67% 623
7 Bowlas 83% 542
8 Bolls 67% 208
9 Bawles 83% 155

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The surname Bowles is the most popular version of all its varients

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