Surname Mowrey - Meaning and Origin
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Mowrey: What does the surname Mowrey mean?
The surname Mowrey is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English word ‘moura’, meaning ‘marshy land’. The surname is likely to have originated from either a place-name, or an occupational name referring to a person who worked or lived on marshy land.
The first record of the name appears around 1288-9 in the tax rolls for Worcestershire, England, making the surname over 700 years old and one of the oldest surnames in existence.
By the time of the 16th century Great Migration, when English settlers began to populate the North American colonies, the Mowrey name had become Mowery, Mower, Mowers, and now Mowrey.
Today, those with the Mowrey surname are of a thriving and unique family, and those who carry the name are proud of their heritage. This is exemplified through the Mowrey family crest, which is made up of two gold chickens sitting on a green shield of arms. The crest is symbolic of family unity, loyalty, strength and principles.
All in all, the Mowrey surname is one filled with a long and storied history. The name is marked by an ancient and proud heritage, and the many Mowreys today continue to bear the surname with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisMowrey: Where does the name Mowrey come from?
The last name Mowrey is a German and English surname that originally derived from the medieval personal name Mauer, which means ‘wall’ or ‘mason’. The name was first found in Bavaria and around the Rhine River, particularly in the southwestern Baden-Württemberg area of Germany, but it can also be found in England, in particular in the northern regions of Cumberland and Lancashire.
The Mowrey name is most commonly seen today in the United States, which is where most of its speakers are found. In the most recent census data, the surname was ranked in the top 2000 most common surnames by population, with the highest concentrations being found in the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The name is also found in other English-speaking countries, such as Canada and Australia.
The population of Mowreys in the United States is likely due to the many immigrants, particularly Germans, who settled there in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these immigrants are thought to have had the Mowrey surname, and they likely passed it down to their descendants.
In the 21st century, the Mowrey surname can be found all around the world, with no one region having a particularly strong presence. The name has changed over the centuries due to marriage and immigration, but it has stayed in use and is still recognized today.
Variations of the surname Mowrey
The Mowrey surname is derived from the Middle English word moure, which means "dark-haired or dark-complexioned". The variants of Mowrey include Mourey, Mowrie, Mowry, Mouray, Mowery, Muiray, and Muirrey. All of these spellings are related to the original Mowrey spelling, which likely originated in either England or Scotland.
The origin and history of the Mowrey surname is believed to be Anglo-Saxon. It is thought that the Mowrey surname first surfaced in the north of England in the Middle Ages. It may have been a nickname given to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion. Over time, this surname came to be more prominent in Scotland. In Scotland, the Mowrey surname is also associated with Clan MacMures or Clan Murrays.
The Mourey, Mowrie, and Mouray variants are predominantly found in France, while the Mowery variant is more common in the United States. The Muiray and Muirrey variants are particularly associated with Scotland. Mowrey is also a popular surname in the United States due to the number of immigrants who settled there from Scotland or England.
The Mowrey surname also has several spelling variations that could be used to denote different branches of the same family. For example, the O'Mowrey spelling could refer to a branch of the family that settled in Ireland, while the Mow'rey spelling could indicate that the family originally came from Yorkshire.
In general, the Mowrey surname is a relatively uncommon name, and most variants are found in limited areas around the world. However, some variants are more common in certain regions, and there is a strong Scottish and French presence connected to this surname. Ultimately, the most common surnames related to Mowrey are Mourey, Mowrie, Mowry, Mouray, Mowery, Muiray, and Muirrey.
Famous people with the name Mowrey
- David Mowrey: professional stunt performer and horse wrangler
- Don Mowrey: former professional gridiron football player
- Jim Mowrey: former professional baseball player
- John Mowrey: jazz saxophonist
- Sam Mowrey: former NASCAR driver
- Todd Mowrey: radio host and public speaker
- Tom Mowrey: former professional basketball player
- Travis Mowrey: American actor and musician
- Virginia Mowrey: advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Willie Mowrey: professional basketball player