Surname Sowle - Meaning and Origin

Sowle: What does the surname Sowle mean?

The surname Sowle is of English origin and traces back to medieval England. Derived from an early medieval English personal name, Sowle or Sawle, it is believed to originate from the Old English word "sawol" or "sawle", meaning soul. In medieval times, it might have been used as a nickname for a pious or spiritual person, or as a distinguishing epithet for someone who lived near a notable or unusual tree. Given the historical practice of surname evolution, it is also possible that multiple origins have contributed to the formation of the surname. Like many surnames, Sowle shows variations in its spelling including Soole, Sole, Soul, and others. Despite these variances, they all largely retain the core meaning associated with the term "soul". Today, people bearing the surname Sowle are found in various parts of the world, reflecting the movements and migrations of English people over centuries.

Sowle: Where does the name Sowle come from?

The last name Sowle is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the original Sowles had moved from their home regions of Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Essex, and Somerset in England to other parts of Europe and the British Isles.

The surname can also be found in various places in the US like Pennsylvania, Vermont, and South Carolina.

Sowles is one of the rarer surnames in the UK and Ireland, with just two bands of the name, one in the East Midlands and one in the South West. It is much more common in America, which suggests that a large number of Sowles may have moved across the pond in search of better opportunities. These people likely would have settled in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and South Carolina, as well as other parts of the country.

The use of the last name Sowle is relatively uncommon in the 21st century. The total number of Sowles in the United Kingdom is estimated to be under 500. However, the number of Sowles in America may be much larger, possibly numbering in the thousands.

It is clear that Sowles have been spread throughout the world over the centuries, and can now be found in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Ultimately, though, the last name remains relatively rare.

Variations of the surname Sowle

The surname Sowle is a derivative of the Old English word "sal", which was used to refer to a rock or a piece of stone. It is an English surname that is derived from a place-name and is likely related to the old word “salh” which refers to an area of flat, boggy ground. Variants of this surname may raise according to a person's manuscript or mode of English speech, with different spellings including Soule, Sole, Soole, Soull, Soulle and Sowle. Other variants can arise as a result of dialectal influences or foreign language surname influences. Outside of the English language, this surname is most commonly found as Soulier in France.

Soule is another form of the same surname, which likely originated as a variant of the English Sowle. This variation is most commonly found in Cornwall, Devon and the West Country in the south west of England. Today, the majority of Soules tend to trace their ancestry to families that inhabited this region in the past. It is closely related to the Welsh surname Sowell and the French Soulier.

Various other surnames could also be associated with the same origin as Sowle, including Sowells, Sowel, Soules, Soul, Soulese and Soule. These are all derived from either Old English or French, and are considered close relatives to the primary surname. While the various spellings may have altered over time, all of these surnames can be seen to reflect the same root.

Famous people with the name Sowle

• Les Sowle: American composer, active in the 1990s
• Evan Sowle: Former Minnesota State Senator
• Tema Sowle: Celebrity makeup artist and influencer
• Walter Sowle: Canadian film stunt actor
• Michael Sowle: Musician from England
• William Sowle: American Diplomat, the first Chief of the U.S. Mission to Italy
• Gene Sowle: American Politician and member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• Jeff Sowle: British Blues and Jazz guitarist
• Sonya Sowle: Award-winning environmental artist
• Alexander Sowle: Professional soccer player

Other surnames

Sowles