Surname Chowning - Meaning and Origin
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Chowning: What does the surname Chowning mean?
The last name Chowning is derived from a Norman surname, which was originally spelt Chauny. It is believed that Chowning was a local variant of Chauny in the north-west of England and is most commonly found in counties such as Cheshire and Lancashire. The name is ultimately derived from a French place name, and is thought to mean 'from Chauny', referring to the town of Chauny in Aisne, France.
The name most likely originated from an Englishman called Chewin or Chewig, who was living in Normandy at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Chewig's family then adopted the name 'de Chauny' which eventually became 'Chowning'.
The name 'Chowning' has been common in England for many centuries, with the first mention of the name being in the Pipe Rolls of 1230, which records the payment of taxes by a man called 'Adam Choninge'.
The name is now widespread throughout the English-speaking world including countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Overall, the last name 'Chowning' is derived from a Norman surname, initially having been spelt 'Chauny', meaning 'from Chauny'. It has been an English name for many centuries being first mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1230, and is now widespread throughout the English-speaking world.
Order DNA origin analysisChowning: Where does the name Chowning come from?
The last name Chowning is most commonly found in a handful of countries, primarily in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. In the UK, the name can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was first recorded in the Domesday Book in the form of Chonim or Chowning. In the US, the name is more likely to be of English-American origin, where the family originated in the mid-1700s before emigrating from the UK in the 19th century.
In the UK, the name is concentrated primarily in London and the Eastern and South Wales area, most likely due to colonization. In the US, the name is most common in the southern states of Virginia and Kentucky, likely due to teasing out of Tidewater settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Though the name has become much rarer since the 19th century, it still appears today in the UK, Australia, and the US, as well as in other countries with similar culture and migration patterns.
The last name is not as widely spread as some other English surnames, such as Smith or Williams. Due to the smaller population size of those who bear it, the name may be found in a much higher concentration in certain areas than might otherwise be expected. This makes it much easier to trace the genealogy of those who have the name.
Variations of the surname Chowning
The surname Chowning is an Anglicized form of the German surname "Kuhn". It is derived from the German root "Kuhn" meaning a strong and powerful person. There are a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Chowning.
The earliest spelling of the surname Chowning appears in records from the 1500s, as Cowynge and Coenig. Later variants include Cowenig, Coening, Cowning, Cuningham, Kohnen, Kowinig, Kauwening, and Kilving. All of these variations evolved from a common stem and have the same meaning.
Surnames of similar origin and spelling include Kühn, Kuhn, and Kuen, which are German variations of the name. Some Swiss variations of the name include Kuhn, Kühnli, Kühnle, Kuhnle, Kohnen, and Kohnert. A few Dutch variations of the name include Kuiper, Koeper, Koepp, Kuipers, and Kuijper.
In Ireland, the surname is closely associated with the English spelling of Cowenig, and also includes variants Cowhig, Cowhigg, and Cowing. In Scotland, the name is also associated with the English spelling, most commonly spelled Cowenig or Cowen.
Throughout Europe, the surname Chowning continues to appear with various spellings, depending on the native language of the region. All of these names can be traced to the common Germanic origin of the name "Kuhn".
Famous people with the name Chowning
- Jeff Chowning: Jeff is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name of “Cougar Jay”. He has wrestled in various promotions such as IZW and AAW.
- Tony Chowning: Tony is an American racecar driver from Noblesville, Indiana. He is best known for his successful career in the USAC sprint car series, where he has won numerous championships and races.
- Amanda Chowning: Amanda is a professional golfer from Painesville, Ohio. She is currently an assistant golf coach at Eastern Michigan University.
- Kasha Chowning: Kasha is a US Army Sergeant from Roanoke, Virginia. She served in Afghanistan for eight months, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her efforts there.
- Allen Chowning: Allen is a professional firefighter from Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi State University, and is currently an engineer with the City of Jackson Fire Department.
- Austin Chowning: Austin is an award-winning author from North Carolina. He has written over a dozen novels and short stories, and his work has been translated into multiple languages.
- Jonathan Chowning: Jonathan is a British professor of mathematics and computer science at Oxford University. He has also developed several software packages used in research and teaching.
- Mark Chowning: Mark is an American businessman and philanthropist from Detroit, Michigan. He is the founder of USA Holiday, a travel company, and has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes.