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Dowgill Family History

Dowgill Surname Meaning

The surname originates from an unidentified place named with Old English dūfe or Old Scandinavian dúfa meaning ‘dove’. This linguistic background suggests a connection to avian themes prevalent in the region.

Additionally, the name incorporates Old Scandinavian gil, which translates to ‘ravine’. This combination hints at geographical features that may have influenced the naming of the place.

It is also possible that the surname is derived from a lost place called Douuegil, which was located near Burton in Lonsdale. Historical records indicate that this place was noted in 1307.

However, the exact origin of the surname remains uncertain, as the connection to the lost place cannot be definitively established.

Overall, the etymology of this surname reflects a blend of linguistic influences and may point to historical landscapes that shaped the identities associated with it.

Source: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain, 2021


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Where is the Dowgill family from?

You can see how Dowgill families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dowgill family name was found in the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1881 and 1911. The most Dowgill families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 60 Dowgill families living in Yorkshire. This was about 98% of all the recorded Dowgill's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Dowgill families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dowgill surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Dowgill ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Dowgill. 64% of Dowgill women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Dowgill | 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

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    64%
  • Weaver Worsted
    19%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duti
    19%

What Dowgill family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Dowgill. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dowgill census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dowgill

Passenger Lists

There are 30 immigration records available for the last name Dowgill. 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 Dowgill immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 66 military records available for the last name Dowgill. For the veterans among your Dowgill ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dowgill military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dowgill family history

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What is the average Dowgill lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Dowgill 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.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dowgill

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