This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Bowis family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Bowis Family History

Bowis Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Boris, Bowes, Bois, Bowie, Bonis, Bowns, Powis, Kowis, Dowis, Lewis

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Bowis family from?

You can see how Bowis families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Bowis family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Bowis families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1891 there were 3 Bowis families living in Lancashire. This was about 38% of all the recorded Bowis's in United Kingdom. Lancashire and 1 other county had the highest population of Bowis families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Bowis surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Bowis ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Private Means was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Bowis. 50% of Bowis women worked as a Private Means.

View Census Data for Bowis | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Private Means
    50%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    50%

What Bowis family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Bowis. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Bowis census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Bowis

Passenger Lists

There are 185 immigration records available for the last name Bowis. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Bowis immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 249 military records available for the last name Bowis. For the veterans among your Bowis ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Bowis military records

You've only scratched the surface of Bowis family history

Discover More

What is the average Bowis lifespan?

Between 1957 and 1997, in the United States, Bowis life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1986, and highest in 1978. The average life expectancy for Bowis in 1957 was 53, and 82 in 1997.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Bowis ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Bowis family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial