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 766
Agricultural Labourer 125
Labourer 107
Domestic Servant 59
General Servant 52
Coal Miner 39
Dress Maker 37
House Keeper 34
Lace Maker 26
Servant 21
Blacksmith 19
Wife Of Above 17
Farm Servant 17
Shoe Maker 16
Groom 16
Farmer 16
Laundress 16
Cook 16
Annuitant 15
Joiner 15
Carpenter 14
Labourer Wife 14
No Occupation 13
Cotton Weaver 13
Silk Winder 13

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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