Cowley Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Cowley Name Meaning: Habitational from any of the various places called 'Cowley'. Old english Cu 'cow' + leah 'woodalnd clearing'.

The name is of enlgish origin.One of the earliest recorded namebearers was 'William Cowley',aged twenty.He embarked from London on the ship bound for virginia.

Discover how your Cowley 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

Cowley Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Cowley family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,134
Agricultural Labourer 119
Coal Miner 76
Domestic Servant 64
General Labourer 64
Dress Maker 59
General Servant 49
Labourer 48
Laundress 32
Farmers Son 28
Annuitant 23
House Keeper 23
Farmers Daughter 22
Fisherman 22
General Servant Domestic 21
Farm Servant Indoor 19
Farm Labourer 18
Cook 16
Stone Mason 16
Clerk 15
Joiner 15
Servant 14
Servant Domestic 14
Shoe Maker 14
Farmers Wife 14

Cowley Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Cowley 100% 39,991
2 Cawley 83% 12,182
3 Cowly 83% 272

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

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