Dowset History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Dowset

The name Dowset has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a good-tempered person. The surname Dowset is derived from the Old English words douce and dowce, which mean sweet, pleasant. These words, which later became doux, were ultimately derived from the Old French words dolz and dous, which had the same meaning. As a personal name, Dowset was often given to females and occasionally was borne by males.

Early Origins of the Dowset family

Early History of the Dowset family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dowset research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1619, 1630, 1640, 1648 and 1683 are included under the topic Early Dowset History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dowset Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Dowset have been found, including Dowse, Dowcett, Dowsett, Dorset, Dorsett, Dowser, Dowsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Dowset family

William Dowse of Collingborn; Edward Dowse (1582-1648), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648; and Thomas Dowse,(c. 1630-1683), also known as Thomas Dawse and Thomas Dawles, an...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dowset Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dowset family to Ireland

Some of the Dowset family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dowset family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Dowset, or a variant listed above: Thomas and Katherine Dowse who settled in Virginia in 1623; Charles Dowse settled in Virginia in 1643; Lawrence Dowse settled in Charlestown Massachusetts in 1630.