Surname Mowbray - Meaning and Origin
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Mowbray: What does the surname Mowbray mean?
The surname Mowbray is of Norman origin and is derived from the town of Montbrai in France. The name itself is a combination of two Old French words: "mont", meaning "hill" and "brai", meaning "marsh" or "mud". Therefore, Mowbray can be translated to mean "hill at the marsh" or "hill in the mud". The Mowbray family were established in England after they arrived with William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Over the generations, they became prominent landowners and nobles, with Robert de Mowbray being one of the most notable members - a nobleman who was appointed as the Earl of Northumbria. To this day, the name Mowbray is found in locations across England, such as the town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire.
Order DNA origin analysisMowbray: Where does the name Mowbray come from?
The last name Mowbray is commonly found today in areas of the United Kingdom, as well as some parts of Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States.
The origin of the name is thought to have come from the Anglo-Saxon period. It was most likely derived from a place or region in northern England called Mowbray, and could refer to a person who came from the area.
In the United Kingdom, the Mowbray name has traditionally been most prevalent in the North East of England, particularly in Yorkshire. It is thought to have been established in the region for many centuries. In more recent times, some Mowbrays have also migrated to other places in the United Kingdom, such as London.
In other English-speaking countries that have been settled by British people, the Mowbray name is also found. It is known that a number of Mowbrays arrived in Australia and New Zealand in the 19th century, and their descendants can still be found in those countries today. In Canada, some Mowbrays can trace their ancestry to the United Empire Loyalists who immigrated in the late 18th century. In South Africa, some Mowbrays are descended from 19th-century Irish settlers.
In the United States, Mowbray is less common today, but the name can still be found. There are various records of families in earlier American history who were called Mowbray, with one perhaps coming from the same original family in England as the Australia- and New Zealand-based Mowbrays.
In summary, the last name Mowbray is most commonly found today in areas of the United Kingdom, as well as some parts of Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Mowbray
The surname Mowbray is a locational name that come from the town of Mowbray in Yorksire. It is believed to have derived from either the Old Norse or Old English language. There are a few variants of this name, including Mowbreys, Mowbrays, Mawbreys, Mawbrays, and Mowbry.
Mowbray was quite common in Britain during the Middle Ages, and it spread to other parts of the world as plenty of people emigrated and took their names with them.
Several variants of the Mowbray surname exist, including Moubray, Moubray, Moubreys, Moubrai, Moubrayes, Moubrays, Mowbrey, Mowbry, Mowbreys, Mowbray, Mawbrey, Mawbreyes, Mawbreys, Mawbries, Mawbrys, Mawbray, Mawbrayes, and Mawbrays. All of these names are believed to originate from the same source, and be based on a place of origin.
Mowbray is an uncommon name, but there are some notable people who bear the name, including the powerful Norman family that occupied Much Wenlock in the Middle Ages. The family descended into many notable branches, such as the Earls of Leicester, the Earls of Nottingham, and the Barons of Mowbray.
Today, the Mowbray surname is well-known in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, as well as in other countries in and around the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Mowbray
- Sir John Mowbray, 4th Baronet (1616–1679), English baronet
- Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk (1366–1399), English magnate and cousin to King Richard II
- Arthur Mowbray (c. 1767–1823), British Army general
- William Mowbray (1890–1973), Australian cricketer
- Baron Mowbray, a title held by four different nobles
- Ted Mowbray (1913–1998), a professional football player
- Justin Mowbray (born 1974), a former professional rugby league player
- Shelly Mowbray (active 2010s), a British model
- Jack Mowbray (active 2000s), a British singer and songwriter
- Penelope Mowbray (born 2004), Australian actor