First found in on the Isle of Iona, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the Origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Dowey or a variant listed above include: William Dowie who settled in Philadelphia in 1839; Edward Dowey settled in Philadelphia in 1876 with his brother Patrick.

For more information on the last name Dowey, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.