Origin & Meaning of the Sow Surname
What does the last name Sow mean?
The surname Sow carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,984 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Sow ranks as the #14,920 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Sow come from?
The Sow surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American 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 Sow name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Sow trace back to English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Sow |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #14,920 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,984 |
| Per 100K People | 0.67 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Sow
According to the US Census, the Sow surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,984 Americans with the Sow last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 2.07% |
| Black | 92.34% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.52% |
| Two or More Races | 1.61% |
Popularity of Sow Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Sow surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Sow surname increased by 1,357 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Sow
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Other African American Surnames
Explore more surnames with African American roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same African American origin as Sow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sow
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