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![Show Contents]() Dowsson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Dowsson was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the personal names Douce and Dow. This patronymic name is augmented by the suffix -son, which superseded the other patronymic suffixes in prominence by the 14th century, and was most common in the north of England. Early Origins of the Dowsson familyThe surname Dowsson was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which included: Jordan Dousing, Lincolnshire; and Richard Dusing, Norfolk. Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Dousyng as holding lands there at that time. 1 Early History of the Dowsson familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dowsson research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1327, 1349, 1379, 1573, 1596, 1643 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Dowsson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dowsson Spelling VariationsDowsson has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Dowsson have been found, including Dowson, Douson, Doweson, Dowsoun, Douseson, Douceson and many more. Early Notables of the Dowsson familyNotables of this surname at this time include: William Dowsing (1596-1668) was an English iconoclast under orders in 1643 which stated that "all Monuments of Superstition and Idolatry should be removed and abolished", specifying: "fixed altars, altar rails, chancel...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dowsson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dowsson familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Dowssons to arrive on North American shores: Gilbert Dowson who settled in Virginia in 1637; George Dowson settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774; Martha Down settled in America in 1763; R.H. Dowson settled in Maryland in 1820.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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