The name Bowder is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a sifter of meal. Other evidence suggests that the surname Bowder was established as an area called Boulder. From there people acquired the surname. The name is also derived from the Old English word bulder which means boulder or cobblestone. Alternatively the name could have been derived from the word bolter which was a miller. Boulter's Lock and Boutler's Island are both located on the River Thames on the eastern side of Maidenhead, Berkshire.
The surname Bowder was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowder research. Another 33 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1272, 1635, 1709, 1694, 1635, 1709, 1694, 1698, 1701, 1672, 1742, 1724, 1742, 1719 and 1671 are included under the topic Early Bowder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bowder are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bowder include Boulter, Bolter, Boulder, Bolteir and others.
Distinguished members of the family include Edmund Boulter (c.1635-1709), a London merchant and politician, Sheriff of London (1694); Edmund Boulter (c. 1635-1709), a London merchant and politician, Sheriff of London in July 1694, Member of Parliament for Boston (1698-1701); and Dr. Hugh Boulter (1672-1742), Church...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Bowder family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bowder or a variant listed above:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: