Surname Lowden - Meaning and Origin

Lowden: What does the surname Lowden mean?

Lowden is an English surname derived from two locations in England: Olden in Cambridgeshire, or Loudham or Lowden in Suffolk. It is also believed that Lowden is a variant of the surname Lowden, which is from the Old English meaning 'low hill'.

The Lowden surname has a long history beginning in medieval England. It is believed that the first people to carry the surname came from the towns of Olden and Loudham or Lowden. During the Middle Ages, the main occupation of those bearing the surname was farming. The Lowdens were generally large landowners in their towns and were known for their wealth and prosperity.

The Lowden surname was also adopted by families who moved to other countries such as Ireland, Scotland, and the United States of America. It is not uncommon to find Lowdens living in different parts of the world today.

The Lowden surname is a great example of how one name can be adopted by families from different backgrounds and countries. It is testament to how far family identities and clan affiliations can span across time and space. It is a powerful reminder of how people of different nationalities, classes, religions, and backgrounds can come together and form a strong family identity.

Lowden: Where does the name Lowden come from?

Lowden is a surname that originated amongst the people of Scotland. It is currently most commonly found in parts of Scotland, Ireland, England, New Zealand, and Australia. It is believed to have originated with the Scottish Clan of MacLoudon, a sept of Macdougall. The meaning of the name is believed to come from the area of Loch Duin in Kintyre, Scotland.

The name Lowden is most common in Scotland, particularly in the Highland regions to the northwest, as well as the Shetland Islands. It is also found throughout Ireland, with the highest concentrations around Waterford, Wexford, and Dublin. In England, the name is most common in the country's northern counties including Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.

The Lowden surname is also found in New Zealand and Australia, predominantly in parts of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with smaller concentrations throughout the rest of the country. Interestingly, New Zealand is home to an event specifically focused around the Lowden surname due to its popularity there.

Despite its earliest origins being traced back to the Scottish Clan of MacLoudon, the surname Lowden has spread to a variety of other places and is now found throughout Scotland, Ireland, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Lowden

The surname Lowden is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Lochdáin, which translates to mean ’grandson of Lochda’ (or sometimes spelt 'Lochdan'). This name is found mainly in Scotland, and originates from the Gaelic personal name Lochda, meaning ‘dark’.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Louden, Loudoun, Lounden, Loundon, Loundale, Lowdane, Lowdeen, Lowdeon, Lowdian, Lowdine, Lowdon, Lowdoun and Lowndon.

The surname Lowden is now spread throughout the world, however it was most regularly found in Scotland, England and Ireland. In Scotland, the family was found mainly Ayrshire, Wigtownshire, Dunbartonshire and Auchterarder. Loungdanes was a parish in Ayrshire in the seventeenth century. Lowdens were found as tenants in Anwoth parish in 1673. In England, the name is commonly found in the counties of the North West, particularly Cheshire and Lancashire.

In Ireland, the surname is seen to originate in either Ulster or Leinster. The name is not found in the baronies of Northern Ireland.

The Lowden surname is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, with clusters in New England and the Middle Atlantic states. Notable people associated with the Lowden name include Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States (1923–1929).

Famous people with the name Lowden

• Chris Lowden: Canadian actor and writer, best known for his performance in the television series The L Word.
• Chris Lowden: American actor and musician from Texas, known for his work in films such as048 Hours and Friday the 13th.
• Bruce Lowden: British actor who appeared in films like 12 Monkeys and the HBO series Rome.
• Fiona Lowden: English actress who has appeared in films such as Corpse Bride and television series such as Doctor Who.
• Luke Lowden: Canadian actor and writer, best known for his performance in the television series Queer as Folk.
• Rachael Lowden: British actress, best known for her recurring role in the crime drama series, The Bill.
• Wade Lowden: American actor, appearing in feature films such as Spider-Man 3 and The Avengers.
• Jon Lowden: British actor, best known for his role in the fantasy adventure movie, The Water Horse.
• Harry Lowden: British actor, known for his performance in the Tom Cruise-starring movie, Far and Away.
• David Lowden: British author and director, whose work includes the children’s comedy, Mrs. Pepper Pot.

Other surnames

Lowder