Cowell Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Cowell Name Meaning: Habitational from places in Lancashire & Gloucestershire called 'Cowhill'. Old English cu 'cow' + hyll 'hill'.

This indicates possibly 'the hill where the cows grazed'.The fist recorded spelling is that of 'Cionaidh Ua Cathmhaoil',dated 967.

Discover how your Cowell 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

Cowell Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Cowell family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 928
Cotton Weaver 103
Agricultural Labourer 87
Coal Miner 57
Dress Maker 39
General Labourer 36
Labourer 35
Domestic Servant 32
General Servant 32
Annuitant 28
Laundress 26
Cotton Spinner 19
General Servant Domestic 19
House Keeper 17
Farm Labourer 17
Joiner 16
No Occupation 16
Farmers Son 16
Fisherman 16
Clerk 13
Cotton Winder 13
Butcher 12
Carpenter 12
General Domestic Servant 12
Tailor 12

Cowell Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Cowell 100% 34,072
2 Cowel 83% 1,411
3 Cawell 83% 607
4 Cowall 83% 438
5 Cowill 83% 176

Did you know?

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

Search for the Cowell family