Downs Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Downs Name Meaning: The name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a patronymic variant of 'Dunn'/ 'Donn meaning 'dark'. Dunn 'dark-colored'.

May have been a nickname for someone with dark coloured hair or a swarthy complexion.

Discover how your Downs 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

Downs Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Downs family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 357
Agricultural Labourer 83
At Home 51
House Servant 48
Labourer 38
Coal Miner 32
Farm Labourer 31
Dress Maker 31
Servant 30
Silk Weaver 18
General Servant 16
House Keeper 16
Blacksmith 15
Annuitant 14
Shoe Maker 14
Gardener 12
Wife 12
Tailor 10
Weaver 10
Miner 10
Pauper 10
Laundress 10
Farmers Son 10
Power Loom Weaver 9
Farmer 9

Downs Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Downs 100% 31,148
2 Downes 83% 26,648
3 Edwins 50% 576
4 Dawns 80% 516
5 Dawnes 67% 365
6 Dowens 83% 200
7 Douns 80% 155
8 Dounes 67% 144

Did you know?

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

Search for the Downs family