Cowlles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Today's generation of the Cowlles family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Cowlles lived in Coull, in Aberdeenshire. There is also another place so named, in the Highland Region, which may have independently given rise to this surname.

Early Origins of the Cowlles family

The surname Cowlles was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland in the parish of Coull.

"This place is supposed to have taken its name, which signifies a 'corner,' from its situation in the south-eastern extremity of the district of Cromar. " ^[1]

Coull Castle was an 13th-century castle to the south of Coull. Only traces of the castle can be found today.

Important Dates for the Cowlles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cowlles research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1219 and 1567 are included under the topic Early Cowlles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cowlles Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Cowlles has appeared Coull, Coul, Cowill, Cowell, Cull, Cowles, Cowl, Cowle and many more.

Early Notables of the Cowlles family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Cowlles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cowlles family

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Cowlles: John Coule who settled in Virginia in 1654; Francis Coull arrived in Philadelphia in 1856; Martin and Sam Cowl arrived in San Francisco in 1850; Ira Cowles arrived in New York in 1820 with his apprentice.