There's an updated version of the BOWLES surname at our new website, including better maps and updated information. Click/tap here to go to the new site at BritishSurnames.uk.

BOWLES

AbeBooks.com. Thousands of booksellers - millions of books.

There are approximately 10,393 people named Bowles in the UK. That makes it the 1,016th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 164 are named Bowles.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

England

Language of origin

English

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

English

Related and similar surnames

Bowls
Boulds
Boles
Bolus
Bould
Bole
Bowlds
Bolz
Boals
Boales
Bohl
Boal
Boell
Bewles
Boueles
Bouels
Beules
Boueels
Bouells
Bewle
Bewells
Boels
Boil
Bewels
Bouele
Boesle
Bewale
Bewele
Beuels
Bouel
Booel
Boeal
Boualis

The Bowles surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

Probably from the sign of an inn, as "John at the Bowl," i. e., at the sign of the bowl. Boel, local, a town in South Jutland, Denmark. Boel, Dutch, an estate, also one who keeps a mistress.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

British Surnames