Down Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Down Name Meaning: May have been taken from the Anglo-Saxon 'dun' meaning down or 'low hill'. May have also originated from the forename 'Dunn'/ 'Donn meaning 'dark'.

Thought to have been a topographical name given to someone who lived by a small hill from the Anglo-Saxon word 'dun'. May have also been a nickname for someone with dark coloured hair.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Down Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Down family

Profession Census Frequency
Farmer 65
Living On Own Means 58
General Labourer 48
Scholar 45
General Servant Domestic 40
Dress Maker 36
Carpenter 30
Agricultural Labourer 28
Cook Domestic 26
Blacksmith 20
Housemaid Domestic 18
School 18
Gardener Domestic 17
House Maid Domestic 16
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 16
House Keeper Domestic 15
Coal Miner Hewer 15
Plumber 14
Domestic Servant 13
Charwoman 12
Grocer Assistant 12
Laundress Wash 11
Tailor 10
Market Gardener 10
Mason 10

Down Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Down 100% 30,772
2 Edwin 40% 4,511
3 Downie 67% 3,265
4 Downe 80% 2,678
5 Dawn 75% 2,247
6 Dowen 80% 1,001
7 Dwine 40% 756
8 Dewin 60% 739
9 Dewen 60% 473
10 Dwan 50% 234
11 Dewan 60% 172
12 Dowan 80% 172
13 Dwen 50% 172
14 Dwane 40% 152
15 Dawen 60% 142
16 Adwin 40% 116
17 Dowin 80% 115
18 Dowine 67% 114

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

Search for the Down family