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Sowan Family History

Sowan 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: Swan, Gowan, Soman, Solan, Rowan, Cowan, Sowa, Son, Shan, Mohan

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Sowan family from?

You can see how Sowan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Sowan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1851 and 1920. The most Sowan families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 4 Sowan families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Sowan's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Sowan families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Sowan surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Sowan ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Sowan. 28% of Sowan men worked as a Farmer.

View Census Data for Sowan | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    28%
  • Printer
    19%
  • Farm Laborer
    19%
  • Laborer
    19%

What Sowan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 737 census records available for the last name Sowan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Sowan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Sowan

Passenger Lists

There are 166 immigration records available for the last name Sowan. 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 Sowan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 65 military records available for the last name Sowan. For the veterans among your Sowan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Sowan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Sowan family history

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What is the average Sowan lifespan?

Between 1973 and 2004, in the United States, Sowan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2004, and highest in 1983. The average life expectancy for Sowan in 1973 was 60, and 24 in 2004.

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

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