Surname Dowell - Meaning and Origin
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G. Dowell
read moreDowell: What does the surname Dowell mean?
The surname Dowell is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Dubhghall, which means "dark stranger". This name originated in the 9th century when the Vikings settled in Gaelic lands and the native population came to refer to these newcomers as 'dark strangers' for their different physical appearance. Another origin of the Dowell name traces back to a locality in Roxburghshire, Scotland named "Dowell". In some cases, it's thought to be an Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Dúghaill, meaning "descendent of Dubhghall". Like with most surnames, geography and historical events have caused the name to spread over time, resulting in the Dowell name being adopted by families in a number of different countries.
Order DNA origin analysisDowell: Where does the name Dowell come from?
The surname Dowell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from the Old English personal names "Dowell" or "Duval," which were brought to England by the Normans after the Conquest in 1066. It is a patronymic name, often meaning 'son of Dowell'. The name also has roots in Scotland and is associated with the ancient Scottish Clan MacDowall from the region of Galloway.
Variations of the surname exist, with some common ones including Duvall, McDowall, McDowell, and Dowler. Over time, bearers of the surname migrated to different regions and countries, spreading the surname around the world with a notable presence in the United States, Canada, Australia, Scotland, and England.
In the modern day, the surname Dowell is fairly common in the United States, particularly in states such as Texas, California, and Florida. However, the highest concentration of those with the surname Dowell is in England, according to public records. It can also be found in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, albeit less frequently.
Variations of the surname Dowell
The surname Dowell has several variants and possible derivations. It could have evolved from the Gaelic surname Dubhghaill, which translates to 'dark stranger'. It could also be a variant spelling of Dowdall, which originally iis derived from the Gaelic Ó Dubhdaill, meaning ‘descendant of Dubhdal’, a personal name composed of the elements dubh ‘black’ + dal ‘challenge’, ‘defiance’.
Different spellings include Dowall, Dowle, and Doyle, with some overlapping with the Irish surname Doyle, which also descends from Dubhghaill. However, it's important to note that there might be separate family lines for each variant, each with their individual ancestry.
Surnames sharing the same origin would potentially include Dubhghaill, Dubhdaill, Doyle, and Doherty (derived from Dochartaigh that also includes Dubh in meaning).
Although surname origins can be complex and are often subject to historical and regional influences, the spelling variants and similar surnames mentioned reflect a common lineage back to the original Gaelic terms.
Please note that this is a speculative list and does not definitely confirm shared ancestry without genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Dowell
- Cody Dowell: Country musician
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- Tyler Dowell: Professional snowboarder
- Darren Dowell: Artist and promoter of reggae, hip-hop and dub shows in the U.S.
- Cindy Dowell: North American stuntwoman
- Kiff Dowell: Professional soccer player
- Al Dowell: American professional footballer
- Rachel Dowell: Professional dancer and choreographer
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- Micky Dowell: English professional footballer
- Leroy Dowell: Musician, singer and songwriter
- Hayley Dowell: British author
- H. Dowell: American playwright and novelist
- Samantha Dowell: Professional wrestler
- Tracie Dowell: Contemporary painter
- Tony Dowell: Professional vocalist
- Sheli Dowell: Professional singer and songwriter
- Cayla Dowell: Prominent fashion model
- Rob Dowell: International curling player
- Justin Dowell: Professional stuntman
- Caitlyn Dowell: Professional stuntwoman
- Jack Dowell: American professional stuntman
- Lisa Dowell: Record producing artist