TOWNE

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Towne

Background: Towne is an English surname of toponymic origin, deriving from the Old English word "tun," meaning an enclosure or settlement. It was commonly used to denote someone who lived in or near a town. The surname Towne has variations including Town, Tone, and Toon.

History: The Towne surname dates back to medieval times in England, with records showing it to be prevalent in various regions across the country. It is particularly associated with Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex in East Anglia.

Variants: Variants of the Towne surname include Town, Tone, Toon, and Townsend.

Notable People:

Charles Hanson Towne (1877–1949): American author, editor, and poet with English descent.
Natalie Towne (contemporary): British artist known for her vibrant landscape paintings.

Legacy: The Towne surname continues to be found among people of English heritage, both in the United Kingdom and in other English-speaking nations.

References:

Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Reaney, P. H., and R. M. Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.

There are approximately 171 people named Towne in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Towne.

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

Alex
Alexander
Andrew
Christopher
David
Edward
Geoffrey
Gregory
James
Richard
Stephen
Thomas

Female

Allison
Charlotte
Claire
Elizabeth
Emma
Freya
Irene
Janet
Jessica
Lucy
Lyndsey
Mary
Sarah
Ursula

Similar and related surnames

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