MacDowell Surname

166,812th
Most Common
surname in the World

Approximately 2,594 people bear this surname

Most prevalent in:
United States
Highest density in:
Cayman Islands

MacDowell Surname Definition:

G, MacDhughaill, 'son of Dougal ( Dougall )', which see. The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can neither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established (Maxwell, Dumfries, p.

Read More About This Surname

MacDowell Surname Distribution Map

PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States1,9391:186,93118,583
Canada2361:156,12515,843
Brazil1721:1,244,61842,789
England571:977,51048,999
Australia531:509,35338,491
Ireland481:98,1035,309
Scotland241:223,07611,507
Chile221:800,74917,445
Northern Ireland61:307,50612,899
Malaysia51:5,898,845196,803
Argentina41:10,685,854219,200
France31:22,140,907385,998
Cayman Islands31:21,2981,488
South Africa31:18,059,235248,362
India31:255,688,4611,306,352
Mexico21:62,063,10283,384
Spain21:23,376,018128,922
Wales21:1,547,26639,871
Isle of Man11:85,8224,091
Nigeria11:177,142,758748,972
Philippines11:101,238,223404,861
Russia11:144,123,056881,408
Czechia11:10,633,469206,023
Sudan11:37,510,19514,259
Switzerland11:8,212,915156,297
Germany11:80,505,459560,955
Cameroon11:20,769,068227,406
Dominican Republic11:10,432,93236,508
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
Ireland501:88,5975,964
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States271:1,859,95194,590

MacDowell (103) may also be a first name.

MacDowell Surname Meaning

From Where Does The Surname Originate? meaning and history

G, MacDhughaill, 'son of Dougal ( Dougall )', which see. The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can neither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established (Maxwell, Dumfries, p. 103-105). Mactheuel witnessed a charter by Uchtredus filius Fergusi of the church of Colmanele in the reign of Malcolm IV (LSC., p. 19). Fergus McDuhile in Wigton was juror on inquest at Berwick, 1296, and in same year as Fergus MacDowilt rendered homage (Bain, II, p. 198,215). He is probably the Fergus MacDowile who witnessed a charter by William, lord of Douglas, 1306-29 (RHM., l, p. 13). In 1307 a pardon was granted Elyas de Vaus at the request of Duncan MacDuel (Bain, II, p. 510), and in same year Dungall MacDouyl, senior, for services rendered, requested for his son Dungal, junior, the marriage of the daughter and heiress of Hugh de Champaigne, deceased, a tenant in capite (ibid., p. 507). Sir Duugal M'Douwille, sheriff of Dumfries and constable of the castle, and his brother, Fergus M'Douwille, are mentioned in 1312 (ibid., III, 278). Dugald McDowille, knight, was witness in Galloway, 1347 and 1354 (Pap. Lett., III, p. 396; Bain, III, 1578), Master Patrick Macduoel was archdeacon of Whiteherne before 1390 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 575), and Gilbert Macduyl was archdeacon of Sodor before 1416 (ibid., p. 605). Vhtred Mcduwell de Dalquheane, notary public, 1515, appears in following year as Wthred Mcduuyll de Dalhowane (REG., 491,492). John McCoull in Overgarrell is mentioned in connection with Douglas of Drumlanrig, 1609, his name in one instance being spelled McOull (RPC., VIII, p. 701). John McQuhoull in Arbrak was summoned to appear before the Privy Council, 1621 (RPC., XII, p. 533). Margaret M'Dull and Janet Makdull appear in Edinburgh, 1602 and 1677 (Edinb. Marr,), and Patrick McDull was skipper in Leith, 1675 (Edin. App.). The late Dr. Trotter in his Galloway gossip: Kirkcudbright shire (p. 218) gives successive changes of this name:

REAL NAMEPRONOUNCEDFAMILIAR USEGENTEEL
Mac DugaldMcDoual Dole Dowell
(McDoughal)McDowall
Mac Dugald McCoull Cole Coles, Coull
McDhugal

M'Douell 1547, Makdoval 1590, M'Dovele 1474, M'Dowele and Makdovele 1473, Makdowale 1545, Makdowelle 1391, M'Dule 1615, M'Gowall 1571. The following spellings are also given in RMS,: McDowale, McDowalle, McDowelle, McDowylle, McDowll, McDoville, McDovylle; and in 1684 (Parish) we have McDole, McDoll, McDouell, McDoul, McDowal, McDual, McDuall, M'Kdowall. In north of Ireland it became Madole.

The Surnames of Scotland (1946) by George Fraser Black (1866-1948)

MACDOUAL, Macdouall, Macdowall, Macdowell: G, MacDhughaill, 'son of Dougal ( Dougall )', which see. The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can neither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established (Maxwell, Dumfries, p. 103-105). Mactheuel witnessed a charter by Uchtredus filius Fergusi of the church of Colmanele in the reign of Malcolm IV (LSC., p. 19). Fergus McDuhile in Wigton was juror on inquest at Berwick, 1296, and in same year as Fergus MacDowilt rendered homage (Bain, II, p. 198,215). He is probably the Fergus MacDowile who witnessed a charter by William, lord of Douglas, 1306-29 (RHM., l, p. 13). In 1307 a pardon was granted Elyas de Vaus at the request of Duncan MacDuel (Bain, II, p. 510), and in same year Dungall MacDouyl, senior, for services rendered, requested for his son Dungal, junior, the marriage of the daughter and heiress of Hugh de Champaigne, deceased, a tenant in capite (ibid., p. 507). Sir Duugal M'Douwille, sheriff of Dumfries and constable of the castle, and his brother, Fergus M'Douwille, are mentioned in 1312 (ibid., III, 278). Dugald McDowille, knight, was witness in Galloway, 1347 and 1354 (Pap. Lett., III, p. 396; Bain, III, 1578), Master Patrick Macduoel was archdeacon of Whiteherne before 1390 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 575), and Gilbert Macduyl was archdeacon of Sodor before 1416 (ibid., p. 605). Vhtred Mcduwell de Dalquheane, notary public, 1515, appears in following year as Wthred Mcduuyll de Dalhowane (REG., 491,492). John McCoull in Overgarrell is mentioned in connection with Douglas of Drumlanrig, 1609, his name in one instance being spelled McOull (RPC., VIII, p. 701). John McQuhoull in Arbrak was summoned to appear before the Privy Council, 1621 (RPC., XII, p. 533). Margaret M'Dull and Janet Makdull appear in Edinburgh, 1602 and 1677 (Edinb. Marr,), and Patrick McDull was skipper in Leith, 1675 (Edin. App.). The late Dr. Trotter in his Galloway gossip: Kirkcudbright shire (p. 218) gives successive changes of this name:

REAL NAMEPRONOUNCEDFAMILIAR USEGENTEEL
Mac DugaldMcDoual Dole Dowell
(McDoughal)McDowall
Mac Dugald McCoull Cole Coles, Coull
McDhugal

M'Douell 1547, Makdoval 1590, M'Dovele 1474, M'Dowele and Makdovele 1473, Makdowale 1545, Makdowelle 1391, M'Dule 1615, M'Gowall 1571. The following spellings are also given in RMS,: McDowale, McDowalle, McDowelle, McDowylle, McDowll, McDoville, McDovylle; and in 1684 (Parish) we have McDole, McDoll, McDouell, McDoul, McDowal, McDual, McDuall, M'Kdowall. In north of Ireland it became Madole.

The Surnames of Scotland (1946) by George Fraser Black (1866-1948)

The townland of Lismacdowell in the parish of Kilmacumsy, Co. Roscommon, appears in the “census”

of 1659.

Supplement to Irish Families (1964) by Edward MacLysaght

Mac Dubhghaille This is the Irish form of the Scottish family of MacDugall which came from the Hebrides as galloglasses. IF 129; MIF 253; SIF 157; Map Ros

A Guide to Irish Names (1964) by Edward MacLysaght

(Irish) The son of the dark foreigner.

Dictionary of American Family Names (1956) by Elsdon Coles Smith

A corruption of MacDougall.

The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames (1862) by Clifford Stanley Sims (1839-1896)

McDHOIL, McDOWELL: (Gaelic.) The son of Dowell or Dougall, the dark stranger. From dhu, black, and gall, a native of the low country of Scotland; any one ignorant of the Gaelic language; a foreigner, a stranger. The same as McDougall.

Ludus Patronymicus (1868) by Richard Stephen Charnock

MacDowell Last Name Facts

Where Does The Last Name MacDowell Come From? nationality or country of origin

MacDowell is most common in The United States. It can be rendered in the variant forms:. For other possible spellings of this surname click here.

How Common Is The Last Name MacDowell? popularity and diffusion

MacDowell is the 166,812th most commonly used last name internationally. It is borne by approximately 1 in 2,809,385 people. This last name is predominantly found in The Americas, where 91 percent of MacDowell reside; 84 percent reside in North America and 82 percent reside in Anglo-North America. It is also the 930,172nd most common given name worldwide It is held by 103 people.

The last name is most widely held in The United States, where it is carried by 1,939 people, or 1 in 186,931. In The United States MacDowell is most prevalent in: New York, where 12 percent reside, California, where 9 percent reside and Massachusetts, where 8 percent reside. Apart from The United States this surname is found in 27 countries. It also occurs in Canada, where 9 percent reside and Brazil, where 7 percent reside.

MacDowell Family Population Trend historical fluctuation

The incidence of MacDowell has changed through the years. In The United States the number of people carrying the MacDowell last name rose 7,181 percent between 1880 and 2014 and in Ireland it declined 4 percent between 1901 and 2014.

MacDowell Last Name Statistics demography

The religious devotion of those bearing the MacDowell surname is primarily Presbyterian (36%) in Ireland.

In The United States MacDowell are 6.16% more likely to be registered with the Republican Party than The US average, with 52.93% being registered with the political party.

The amount MacDowell earn in different countries varies somewhat. In United States they earn 16.19% more than the national average, earning $50,134 USD per year and in Canada they earn 3.83% more than the national average, earning $51,584 CAD per year.

Phonetically Similar Names

SurnameSimilarityWorldwide IncidencePrevalency
McDowell9473,865/
MacDowel9470/
MacDowll941/
MacDouell8925/
Macdovell893/
Macdawell892/
Mc'dowell891/
MacKdowel890/
McDowel88148/
MacDowl880/
McDowall828,081/
McDowill822/
Macdovel821/
Macdouel821/
Macdobel821/
McDouwall781/
Macdawill781/
Macdiel752/
MacDael751/
McDouel750/
Mackdawill741/
MacDiehl714/
Magdiell711/
Makcdiel711/
MacDoyle711/
McDole672,152/
Makdauell676/
Magdael631,330/
Magdoul63466/
Magdiel63380/
Makdoul6310/
Magdeil632/
Magdeal632/
Magduel631/
MacDail631/
Makdauel592/
Magdail5016/

Search for Another Surname

The name statistics are still in development, sign up for information on more maps and data

By signing up to the mailing list you will only receive emails specifically about name reference on Forebears and your information will not be distributed to 3rd parties.

Footnotes

  • Surnames are taken as the first part of an person's inherited family name, caste, clan name or in some cases patronymic
  • Descriptions may contain details on the name's etymology, origin, ethnicity and history. They are largely reproduced from 3rd party sources; diligence is advised on accepting their validity - more information
  • Name distribution statistics are generated from a global database of over 4 billion people - more information
  • Heatmap: Dark red means there is a higher occurrence of the name, transitioning to light yellow signifies a progressively lower occurrence. Clicking on selected countries will show mapping at a regional level
  • Rank: Name are ranked by incidence using the ordinal ranking method; the name that occurs the most is assigned a rank of 1; name that occur less frequently receive an incremented rank; if two or more name occur the same number of times they are assigned the same rank and successive rank is incremented by the total preceeding names
  • Ethnic group cannot necessarily be determined by geographic occurrence
  • Similar: Names listed in the "Similar" section are phonetically similar and may not have any relation to MacDowell
  • To find out more about this surname's family history, lookup records on Family​Search, My​Heritage, FindMyPast and Ancestry. Further information may be obtained by DNA analysis