Surname Cowle - Meaning and Origin
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Cowle: What does the surname Cowle mean?
The surname Cowle is of English origin and is believed to be topographic or occupational in nature. It is derived from the Old English word "col", which means charcoal. It was likely used to refer to someone who either lived near a charcoal pit or was engaged in the production or selling of charcoal. Additionally, it could also be locational, named after a locality in the United Kingdom. However, there can be multiple origins for a surname and meanings can evolve over centuries. It is important to note that the interpretation of the surname's origin can vary and may also have different meanings in other cultures and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisCowle: Where does the name Cowle come from?
The surname Cowle originates from England, more specifically from the Anglo-Saxon era. It is considered a patronymic surname, deriving from Cowley, a habitational name from places in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, named with the Old English words 'cu' meaning cow and 'leah' meaning wood or clearing.
Alternative sources suggest that the surname could also derive from a nickname or occupational name for a proud or haughty individual, from the Old English word 'cu' meaning cow and 'hyll' meaning hill.
The surname traveled across the globe through migration, and over time has changed in spelling and adaptation. Today, it is most common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Despite its dispersal, the surname Cowle remains rare and is not as widespread compared to other surnames. In many places, individuals with this surname may likely be the only family with that surname in their region.
Variations of the surname Cowle
The surname Cowle appears to have a couple of probable roots of origin. It could be a variation of the English name Cowell, derived from the Old English personal names Cou, Cola, or Cole, combined with Old English “hyll” meaning “hill”. Some variations of Cowell include Cowill, Cowall, Cowle, Coule, Cowles, Cowelle, and Couell.
Another origin of the name Cowle could trace back to de Couelle, a Norman name that was likely carried to England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century. Then, through phonetic variations and a multitude of regional dialects, it solidified into different forms, including Cowle, Cowell, Coule, and possibly Cowley.
Another possibility is that the surname Cowle could have originated from the Scottish and Irish surnames McCowell or MacCowell, which means “son of Dougal”. Other variants of MacCowell include McDowell, MacDowall, MacDowal, Dowall, McDougall, Dougal, and Dugal. Mac means “son of” in Gaelic, and the common elements “Mac” or “Mc” could easily be dropped over generations.
Finally, Cowle could be a variant of the Jewish surname Kowal, which means "blacksmith" in several Slavic languages.
Famous people with the name Cowle
- Phil Cowle: He is a renowned guitarist and musician, notably associated with the popular band called "Peter & The Wolves".
- Emma Cowle: An Australian Cineplex actress who has performed various roles in several theater dramas and voluntarily contributed to charity events.
- Kathleen Cowle: Recognized for her authorship in the genre of children's books.
- Stanley Cowle: Former Chairman of Caspian Oil & Gas Ltd.
- Mark Cowle: Known for his several achievements in the field of accounting, he was made a Co-CEO of a prominent organization. Please note that although these individuals have achieved some level of recognition within their fields, they do not have widespread public notoriety typically associated with "famous" figures. Information on them can be rather limited due to their lower profile. Also, spelling variations like Cowell have more fame, with Simon Cowell being one of the most prominent in the music industry worldwide.