Owston

The surname Owston, with variants such as Owstone and Owsting, has its origins in England, particularly in the county of Yorkshire. The name is of locational origin, deriving from the village of Owston in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The village name itself is believed to come from the Old English words 'uha' meaning 'water' and 'stan' meaning 'stone', indicating a location near a stone or rocks by the water.

The Owston surname is recorded in historical documents dating back to the 13th century, suggesting a long lineage associated with the name. Over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Owston have been found predominantly in Yorkshire, reflecting their ancestral ties to the region.

The Owston name has also spread beyond Yorkshire, with some branches of the family moving to other parts of England and even to other countries. Notable individuals with the surname Owston have made significant contributions in various fields, including academia, business, and the arts.

As with many surnames, variations in spelling have occurred over time due to factors such as local dialects and transcription errors. Despite these changes, the Owston surname continues to be a distinctive and identifiable part of British heritage, representing a connection to a specific place and a shared family history.

There are approximately 249 people named Owston in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Owston.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

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

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Carl
  • Charles
  • David
  • Gary
  • Gavin
  • Graeme
  • Graham
  • Jeremy
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • William

Female

  • Adele
  • Ann
  • Catherine
  • Diane
  • Dorothy
  • Elizabeth
  • Gemma
  • Gloria
  • Hazel
  • Jean
  • Jennifer
  • Judith
  • Rebecca
  • Wendy

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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