Surname Dowda - Meaning and Origin
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Dowda: What does the surname Dowda mean?
The last name Dowda is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is likely derived from the German word "Tout" which has the meaning of someone who is knowledgeable and full of knowledge. People with the surname Dowda could also have family roots from the Polish-Jewish name Duda, which means "a small stringed instrument."
The surname Dowda is closely related to the name Dowdy which is also of Irish and German origin and has the same meaning of a knowledgeable person. The surname Dowda may also have been derived from a nickname or descriptive name based from such a personality trait.
The people carrying the Dowda surname are scattered across United States, United Kingdom and Canada. It is particularly popular in Wisconsin as well as Indiana and Ohio.
Most people with the Dowda surname can trace their early ancestor to a specific region of Germany or Poland. It is likely that these ancestors date back to the early 18th century or before, as records of the name can be found all across central and eastern Europe.
The surname Dowda is an interesting testament to the history of European migration and is still in use today by many descendants of that original family. The traits associated with the name Dowda such as knowledge and the ability to think deeply are just as relevant today as they were centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisDowda: Where does the name Dowda come from?
The last name Dowda is most commonly associated with the southeastern United States. Specifically, it is most common in the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. According to the US Census, the family name Dowda is the 5,139th most common last name in the United States. The number of people bearing the Dowda surname is estimated to be 3,384. It is especially popular in Florida where an estimated 1,504 individuals have the name.
The Dowda's southern beginnings are believed to have stemmed from a branch of French Huguenot immigrants who fled religious persecution in France in the 1700s. Dubois and Dudevant (later anglicized to Dowda) are two of the more common French surnames linked to this branch. Many of the immigrants settled in the original 13 colonies and lived mainly in the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina.
The surname Dowda is still quite common in the southern regions of the United States and is registered more in that area of the country than anywhere else. However, it is slowly gaining traction and recognition in other parts of the United States as well.
Variations of the surname Dowda
The surname Dowda has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variants include: Deuda, Dauda, Dowda, Douda, Doudah, and Duda. These surnames have been found in records from all across the globe.
The spelling variation of Dowda includes Dowdah, Douda, and Doudah. Douda is the most commonly used spelling in Britain while Dowdah is frequently the variant spelling in the U.S. Furthermore, Dauda is the common spelling for this surname in India.
Similar surnames of Dowda are Oathoudt, Outhoudt, Auda, Outda, and Outida. Oathoudt is a variant form of the Dutch surname Otho or Othold, derived from the ancient German personal name outlined in the Old High German language as "Otto" meaning "wealth".
Outhoudt is a Dutch-based, and specifically Dutch-Flemish, surname with the meaning of "son of Otho/Othold", having the same meaning as Oathoudt. Auda is an Arabic origin surname used in the Middle East meaning "the generous; noble", while Outda and Outida are variation spellings of the surname Auda.
Overall, Dowda is a surname of multiple forms, variants, and possible spellings with an interesting history that connects people and families. The variations in spellings across time and the global connections that are being made, gives this surname an even wider reach.
Famous people with the name Dowda
- Debra Dowda: an award-winning American actress and model.
- Michael Dowda: a professional mixed martial artist from the United States of America.
- Carl Dowda: a British television producer.
- Everett Dowda: an American actor.
- Hugh Dowda: a visual artist living and working in Austin, Texas.
- Emma Dowda: an English singer-songwriter.
- David Dowda: a professional boxer out of the United States.
- Joseph Dowda: a former professional ice hockey player.
- Gordon Dowda: a former Scottish footballer and manager.
- James Dowda: a former Australian rules footballer.