Mowbray

The surname Mowbray is of English origin and has a rich history deeply embedded in British heraldry and aristocracy. The Mowbray family name is derived from the Old Norman-French personal name 'Montbray' or 'Mowbray', which is thought to have originally been a locational name associated with the village of Montbray in Normandy, France.

The Mowbray family rose to prominence in medieval England, particularly during the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the subsequent centuries. The most famous branch of the Mowbray family was the House of Mowbray, which held a powerful position in the English nobility. They were closely associated with the Dukes of Norfolk and played important roles in the governance and military affairs of the realm.

One of the most notable figures bearing the Mowbray surname was Thomas de Mowbray, the 1st Duke of Norfolk, who lived in the 14th and 15th centuries. He was a prominent nobleman and military leader during the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV. The Mowbray family coat of arms features the distinctive heraldic symbols of their lineage, including lions rampant and other traditional emblems of nobility.

The Mowbray surname has been passed down through generations, and many individuals today can trace their ancestry back to this illustrious family. Over the centuries, branches of the Mowbray family have spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, with descendants establishing themselves in various professions and walks of life.

Today, the surname Mowbray continues to be a badge of honour for those who bear it, symbolising a connection to a prestigious lineage with deep roots in British history.

There are approximately 2,363 people named Mowbray in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,665th most common surname in Britain. Around 36 in a million people in Britain are named Mowbray.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • William

Female

  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Claire
  • Clare
  • Elizabeth
  • Janet
  • Linda
  • Lisa
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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