Surname Towler - Meaning and Origin
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Towler: What does the surname Towler mean?
Towler is an English occupational surname that has its roots in the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English term "tawere," indicating a person who was engaged in the occupation of 'tawing' or softening leather by a special process. This task was important during that time as leather was widely used to make different items like clothes, shoes, and harnesses. This name started as a way to identify individuals with this occupation, similar to how other surnames like Baker or Smith signified a person's job. Over generations, it became hereditary and started being used as a family surname. Therefore, if your last name is Towler, it's likely that one of your ancestors worked as a tawer. It is important to remember that the meaning of a surname does not necessarily hold significant relevance to the bearers of the name today.
Order DNA origin analysisTowler: Where does the name Towler come from?
The last name Towler is commonly found throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Though not as numerous as other British surnames, it has been around for hundreds of years and is concentrated in certain areas. In England, the highest concentrations of Towlers are in the West Midlands area, with pockets of Towler families in other counties such as Devon, County Durham, and Greater Manchester. In Scotland, there are a few Towler families known in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.
In Ireland, the last name Towler is found mostly in the province of Connacht, especially in Counties Mayo and Sligo. These are counties of the west coast of Ireland, and it is thought that Towler families were among the many who emigrated from Connacht during the 1800s in search of better opportunities in other parts of the world.
Outside of the British Isles, there are significant concentrations of Towler families in the United States, Australia, and Canada. The United States is home to more Towler families than any other country - current estimates put the number at over 50,000 people with the Towler last name. Many of these families trace their origins back to the waves of Irish and British immigration which occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, it is clear that the Towler surname is still found all over the world, though its greatest concentrations are in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Towler
There are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Towler. One of the most common variants is Towles, which is an Anglicized form of the same name. The spelling variations of Towler include Towles, Towell, Towl and Towlese. Other surnames of the same origin include Toweler, Towlery, Towlson and Towling.
Towles is derived from an Old French surname, “Tourila”, which is a masculine form of Tourille, a nickname for a person who was a big eater or a tippler, which comes from the Proto-Germanic word “trowilaz”, meaning “fooder” or “drinker”. The spelling variations of Towler are likely due to various dialects of Old French and Middle English.
Other variants of the surname include Toull, Toulls, Towle, Tolle, Twille, Towill, Toulle, and Toule. These variants are derived from several locations in England, such as the towns of Towles one in Bedfordshire and one in Somerset, and the village of Touls in Hampshire. The surname also appears in the form “Tolour” in some old documents. The ‘our’ spelling might indicate a Norman French influence.
In addition, the surname Toules is derived from an old French word or nickname “Taule”, which is a derivative of the Middle English word “Tallow”, meaning “a thin, dark coating”. It was probably used for someone who worked with leather or fabrics.
Some related surnames also include Towley (also an Old French nickname), Tull, Tool, and Tuve. These surnames are derived from different locations in England, including Toule, Tollard, and Tull Auten in Berkshire.
In conclusion, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Towler. These variants are due to various dialects of Old French and Middle English. Other related surnames include Towley, Tull, Tool, and Toules, which are derived from different locations in England.
Famous people with the name Towler
- Howard Towler: Howard Towler was a former British footballer who played in the English Football League during the 1960s and '70s.
- Professor Phil Towler: Professor Phil Towler is a British astrophysicist and an expert in cosmochemistry at the University of Manchester.
- Beatrice Towler: Beatrice Towler was an English actress and singer, best known for her roles in "Othello" (1992) and "The Four Weddings and a Funeral" (1994).
- Andrew Towler: Andrew Towler is a British producer and the former head of RDF Television. He has produced shows such as “The Voice UK”, “The IT Crowd", and “Father Ted”.
- Steve Towler: Steve Towler is a former British road bicycle racer who won several stage races in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Raymond Towler: Raymond Towler is an Ohio man who spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. He was exonerated in 2011 and is a civil rights and wrongfully convicted activist.
- Kevin Towler: Kevin Towler is a British actor, best known for his roles in television shows such as "The Bill" and "The Lakes".
- Laura Towler: Laura Towler is a British YouTuber and political activist from London. She is known for her conservative political views and her outspoken criticism of Islam and mass immigration.
- Joseph Towler: Joseph Towler was a British astronomer and mathematician who was the first director of the Met Office in the late 19th century.
- Paula Towler: Paula Towler is a former British swimmer who competed in the World Swimming Championships in 1978.