Surname Bowls - Meaning and Origin
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Bowls: What does the surname Bowls mean?
The surname Bowls is of English origin and is generally considered a topographical name. It is derived from the Old English word "bolla" which means "bowl". This could indicate a variety of meanings: the name might have been given to individuals who lived near a bowl-shaped geographic feature, such as a valley or natural hollow. Alternatively, it could also be an occupational name for someone who made or sold bowls. Like many surnames, its specific meaning and origin could differ based on the family and their history. It's also noted that in some cases, the surname Bowls may be a variant of the surname Bowles. In this case, it may derive from "Bolles", a name for someone who lived by a ridge. Therefore, the various potential origins of the last name Bowls underscore the complex and multifaceted history of surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisBowls: Where does the name Bowls come from?
The surname Bowls is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "bolla," meaning bowl. It was typically used as an occupational name for a maker or seller of bowls. The name may also originate from topographical names derived from the same word, denoting someone who lived by a hemispherical hollow (bowl). Another possibility is that it could be from a medieval given name, Bolle, which was derived from the Old Norse personal name "Búi," meaning "to live."
The variant spelling "Bowles" is actually more common and well-known, with some famous individuals bearing that name, such as the American singer and actor William Bowles Jr. and the English footballer Aaron Bowles.
Today, the surname is common in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to the Forebears surname database, the most Bowls individuals are found in the United States, followed by England, and Australia. However, in terms of concentration, the surname is most prevalent in Wales and uniquely frequent in Guernsey.
Variations of the surname Bowls
The surname Bowls is relatively rare and can be hard to track with certainty. It may have ties to the English surname Bowles, which itself has several variants including Bowels, Bowlds, Bolls, and Boles. The Bowles surname is believed to originate from the Old French "bolle" which means bowl, and it might have been occupational, referring to a maker or seller of bowls. Alternatively, it may also originate from the Middle English "boles," referring to dwelling by a tree.
Another possible origin is from the name of various places in England such as Bolle in Lincolnshire, Bowles in Kent, or Boles in Leicestershire. In these cases, the surname may be locative, referring to someone who lived in or near these areas.
The surname could also potentially be a variant of Bolles, a name of Norman origins.
Adding to the complexity, surnames were not always systematically recorded and have evolved over time due to regional dialects, illiteracy, and immigration. Therefore, surnames such as Bowls may also be phonetic variants of other names, further muddying the origin.
However, far more research is needed to definitively trace the lineage and variant spelling of the Bowls surname.
Famous people with the name Bowls
- Clara Bow: An American actress who rose to stardom in silent film during the 1920s. While not spelled "Bowls", her last name is very similar.
- Larry Bowles: An American politician from Virginia. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1974 to 1982.
- Alexandra Bowles: A high profile lawyer and the eldest daughter of Captain Mark Bowles and his wife Serena.
- Isaiah Bowles-Fulmore: A promising young American actor known for movies like Urban Canine (2019).
- Freddy Bowles: Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Education Internships in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. It should be noted that the last name "Bowls" is not common among famous personalities and thus, providing a long list of famous people with this surname is not possible. However, various notable people share similar last names or surnames that are close variations of "Bowls".