Cowan — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #1,074 in the US 32,586 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,074
▼ Down 89 since 2000
People in the US
32,586
11.05 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Cowan Surname

What does the last name Cowan mean?

The surname Cowan carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 32,586 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cowan ranks as the #1,074 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cowan come from?

The Cowan surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cowan name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cowan trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Cowan
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #1,074
US Count (2010) 32,586
Per 100K People 11.05
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cowan

According to the US Census, the Cowan surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 32,586 Americans with the Cowan last name.

White 79.49%
Black 15.13%
Hispanic 2.33%
Asian/PI 0.49%
Native American 0.56%
Two+ Races 2.0%
Ethnic distribution of the Cowan surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White79.49%
Black15.13%
Hispanic2.33%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.49%
Native American0.56%
Two or More Races2.0%

Popularity of Cowan Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cowan surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#985
32,242 people
Down 89
Census 2010
#1,074
32,586 people

The number of Americans with the Cowan surname increased by 344 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cowan Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cowan ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Similar Surnames to Cowan

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cowan.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Cowan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cowan

The surname Cowan is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Cowan is ranked #1,074 in the United States with approximately 32,586 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Cowan surname is distributed as: 79.5% White, 15.1% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cowan ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

People searching for information about the Cowan surname also look for:

Share this page:

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn