Surname Charlow - Meaning and Origin

Charlow: What does the surname Charlow mean?

The last name Charlow is an Anglo-Saxon surname, which has a variety of possible origins. While the exact meaning of this name is not known, some sources suggest it could be a form of the Old English given name Ceolferð, meaning "bold voyage." Others propose the name is derived from the Gaelic phrase "cearbh-fhola," which roughly translates to "hard knight" or " strong warrior."

The presence of the surname Charlow in the British Isles can be traced back to the 1100s. It is believed to have first appeared in the East Midlands and Northamptonshire where it has been found among the records for hundreds of years. In more recent times, the name Charlow has also been found in parts of Wales, South West England, Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight.

Charlow is a rare surname with only a handful of families reportedly bearing this name in the United States. Those sharing the name are traditionally connected to families who migrated to the U.S. from the British Isles in the 1800s and 1900s, typically settling in areas such as New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. With its origins in the Middle Ages, the name Charlow still carries a sense of mystery and power today.

Charlow: Where does the name Charlow come from?

The last name Charlow is most commonly found in the United States. According the U.S. Census records in 2019, the name Charlow is shared by 132 Americans. It is especially concentrated in the northeastern states, particularly New York and Pennsylvania. Around 9.5 out of every 10,000 people in the United States have the last name Charlow.

The origin of the Charlow last name is unknown but the name is common in both Britain and Germany. Various records from the 16th Century show that the name was first found in Buckinghamshire, England. It has also been found in records from East Prussia and Germany.

In recent years, the Charlow surname has been reduced to a handful of U.S. states, mainly those in the northeast. Pennsylvania has the highest population of Charlows with 50 people, followed by New York with 43 and Massachusetts with 21. Other states, such as California, Ohio and Michigan, have small populations of the name with about five to seven people.

The name Charlow continues to be used in the United States, but the population of people with the name has been steadily decreasing over the past few decades. Although still relatively small in numbers, the name is still shared by many Americans today.

Variations of the surname Charlow

The surname Charlow is thought to have multiple origins but is most commonly attributed to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 when the Normans introduced the surname into what is now England. The first recorded instance of the surname is in 1278 in the Feudal Court of Devon and Cornwall.

The variants of the surname Charlow include Charlow, Charlo, Charleton, Charleton, and Charley. The spellings Charllow, Charlelow, Charlelows, Charlylow, Charllylow, and Cherlow have also been noted.

The name Charlow is thought to have evolved from the Middle English word "charal," which means joyous or happy, or from the French word "Creerol" meaning throne. It could also be derived from geographical location and be related to the English word ‘chalk’, which was originally used to describe a hard white limestone mostly found in Britain.

The surnames Charlow, Charleton, Charlylow, and Cherlow are all associated with the Normans, whereas Charley and Charlo are more likely of Germanic origin. Some families bearing the name of Charllow may have an Irish origin, while the Charlelows are more likely to be of Welsh extraction.

The surname Charlow is not particularly common and has been localized to England, particularly Cornwall and Devon, and to the south of Wales. It is still found in those areas today.

Famous people with the name Charlow

• Wendy Charlow, Canadian film and TV actor best known for her roles in "Letterkenny," "Degrassi: The Next Generation," and "Degrassi: Next Class"
• Sophia Charlow, Australian football player and sports anchor
• Juliette Charlow, English actress, best known for her roles in "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "A Bridge Too Far," and "The Wicked Lady"
• Ella Charlow, British singer-songwriter
• Urban Charlow, Swedish soccer player
• Monique Charlow, Canadian actress, best known for her roles in "Defiance" and "The Brothers Grimsby"
• Yves Charlow, Canadian artist and sculptor
• Gideon Charlow, American actor, best known for his roles in "The Good Son" and "The Wonder Years"
• Kayla Charlow, Canadian singer-songwriter
• John Charlow, English wildlife photographer and author

Other surnames

CharlaffCharlapCharlawCharlesCharleson