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 663
Agricultural Labourer 89
Domestic Servant 50
Coal Miner 50
General Labourer 50
Dress Maker 31
Farmer 30
Labourer 30
Living On Own Means 27
Living On Her Own Means 20
Cotton Weaver 19
General Servant Domestic 18
General Servant 17
Dressmaker 16
Gardener 15
Charwoman 15
Laundress 14
Blacksmith 14
Silk Weaver 13
House Keeper 12
Char Woman 11
Farm Labourer 11
Brick Layer 11
Butcher 10
Carter 10

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

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

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