COWHAM
Cowham
Cowham is a surname of English origin that is believed to be locational. The name is thought to derive from the places called Cowden or Cowthorpe. The former is a village in Kent, while the latter is a small settlement located in the county of North Yorkshire.
Etymology
The surname Cowham is a toponymic surname, indicating that it was originally used to refer to a person who hailed from a place with a similar name. In this case, individuals with the surname Cowham may have been associated with the aforementioned villages of Cowden or Cowthorpe in England.
Distribution
The distribution of the Cowham surname is relatively rare, with most occurrences found in the United Kingdom. The name has historical ties to various regions of England, with concentrations in counties such as Kent and Yorkshire.
Notable Individuals
- John Cowham (b. 1950): A prominent conservationist known for his work in preserving natural habitats in the British countryside.
- Elizabeth Cowham (c. 1805–1878): A noted philanthropist who dedicated her life to improving social conditions for the working class in Victorian England.
Variants
Variants of the Cowham surname may include Cowen, Cowan, and Coven, among others. These variations could have emerged due to regional accents or dialects over time.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 187 people named Cowham in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Cowham.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Luke
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Janet
- Katherine
- Mary
- Maureen
- Patricia
- Pauline
- Sandra
- Sinead
- Sylvia
- Vanessa
- Wendy