TOWL
Towl
Origin and Meaning: Towl is a British surname derived from the Old English word "tawel," meaning a small piece of cloth or a rag. It was likely used as an occupational surname for a cloth or rag merchant, or possibly as a nickname for someone who worked with textiles.
Distribution: The surname Towl is relatively rare, with most occurrences found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. The majority of individuals carrying the Towl surname are located in Yorkshire and surrounding regions.
Notable Individuals:
- John Towl (1892-1976): A prominent British textile designer known for his intricate designs and innovative use of fabrics.
- Elizabeth Towl (b. 1980): A contemporary British artist whose work focuses on the themes of identity and memory, often using textiles as a medium.
Coat of Arms: The Towl family does not have an official coat of arms registered, suggesting they may not have been high nobility. The lack of a coat of arms could also indicate that Towl is a more recent or localized surname.
Genealogy and Family History: Research into the genealogy of the Towl family reveals a lineage rooted in the textile industry, with many members involved in the weaving and trading of cloth. Family records often highlight the entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship that defined the Towl family through the generations.
Variants: Variants of the Towl surname may include Towle, Towell, and Tawell, reflecting the variations in spelling that often occurred in historical records.
References:
- Hanks, P., Coats of Arms of the Suffolk Gentry, Greenwich Editions, 2002.
- Lower, Mark Anthony. Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, J. R. Smith, 1860.
Related Surnames: Other surnames related to Towl are Weaver, Dyson, and Fletcher, reflecting the textile and weaving industry connections of these families.
There are approximately 184 people named Towl in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Towl.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Carlo
- David
- Derek
- Graham
- Jack
- John
- Kenneth
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Niall
- Philip
- Richard
- Simon
Female
- Amanda
- Betty
- Beverley
- Caroline
- Clare
- Evelyn
- Hayley
- Margaret
- Marilyn
- Rachael
- Rebecca
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.