Explore the Family Name Dower
The meaning of Dower
1. English (Cornwall): occupational name for a baker from Middle English dougher, dower ‘dough maker; baker’, a derivative of Old English dāh (genitive dāges) ‘dough’. 2. Irish (Waterford): variant of Dore 3. 3. Probably an Americanized form of German Dauer.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Dower in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Dower saw a slight fluctuation in its popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Dower ranked as the 21,814th most popular surname, but by 2010, it had slipped to 22,733rd in rank, marking a decrease of 4.21%. However, the total count of individuals with this surname increased slightly over this period, from 1,111 to 1,127, indicating a growth rate of 1.44%. Despite the increase in count, the proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 residents fell by 7.32%, from 0.41 to 0.38.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,814 | #22,733 | -4.21% |
| Count | 1,111 | 1,127 | 1.44% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.41 | 0.38 | -7.32% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Dower
The ethnic identity associated with the Dower surname also shifted over the decade, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. The largest group, those identifying as White, remained relatively stable, decreasing from 80.20% in 2000 to 78.88% in 2010, a change of -1.65%. Meanwhile, the percentage of those identifying as Hispanic experienced significant growth, increasing from 1.08% in 2000 to 3.11% in 2010, a rise of 187.96%. The proportion of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, however, saw the largest decrease, dropping by 45.06% from 1.62% in 2000 to 0.89% in 2010. Other groups, such as those identifying as Black or Two or more races, experienced minor changes over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 80.2% | 78.88% | -1.65% |
| Black | 14.13% | 14.02% | -0.78% |
| Hispanic | 1.08% | 3.11% | 187.96% |
| Two or More Races | 2.52% | 2.66% | 5.56% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.62% | 0.89% | -45.06% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.45% | 0.44% | -2.22% |