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 Cowles family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Cowles Family History

Cowles Surname Meaning

English: variant of Coles.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Cowles family from?

You can see how Cowles families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Cowles family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Cowles families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 186 Cowles families living in London. This was about 18% of all the recorded Cowles's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Cowles families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Cowles surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Cowles ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Cowles. 16% of Cowles men worked as a General Labourer and 68% of Cowles women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Cowles were Builders Labourer and Housewife.

View Census Data for Cowles | 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 Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    16%
  • Farmer
    9%
  • Farm Labourer
    6%
  • Builders Labourer
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    68%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Unpaid Household Duties
    3%
  • Housewife
    3%

What Cowles family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 59,000 census records available for the last name Cowles. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Cowles census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Cowles

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Cowles. 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 Cowles immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 15,000 military records available for the last name Cowles. For the veterans among your Cowles ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Cowles military records

You've only scratched the surface of Cowles family history

Discover More

What is the average Cowles lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Cowles life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1956, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Cowles in 1942 was 45, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Cowles

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Cowles 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 Cowles family tree

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