Explore the Family Name Mowbray

The meaning of Mowbray

English (northern; of Norman origin): habitational name from Montbray (Manche). Robert de Mowbray was Earl of Northumbria 1086–95, but was later imprisoned and deposed for rebelling against William II.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Mowbray in the United States?

Based on the data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Mowbray has seen a decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Mowbray was ranked as the 15,052nd most popular surname, but by 2010, it had fallen to the 16,926th spot, showing a decline of 12.45%. The number of individuals with this surname also reduced during this period, dropping from 1,798 in 2000 to 1,681 in 2010, a fall of 6.51%. The representation of this surname per 100,000 people also decreased by 14.93% over the same period.

20002010Change
Rank#15,052#16,926-12.45%
Count1,7981,681-6.51%
Proportion per 100k0.670.57-14.93%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Mowbray

In terms of ethnicity according to the Decennial U.S. Census, the majority of individuals with the Mowbray surname identified as White in both 2000 and 2010, although there was a small decrease of 2.63% over the decade. The percentage identifying as Black saw an increase of 24.34%, while those identifying as having two or more races increased by 16.54%. The data showed no Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity representation for the Mowbray surname in 2010, despite a 0.61% presence in 2000. There were also new representations from the Hispanic community in 2010 which was not present in 2000. There were no recorded instances of American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnic identity among those with the Mowbray surname in either year.

20002010Change
White93.6%91.14%-2.63%
Black3.78%4.7%24.34%
Hispanic0%1.67%0%
Two or More Races1.33%1.55%16.54%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.61%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%