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Origin / History of the Lowe Name

This ancient surname which can be confusingly English, Dutch, Germanic, Norman French, or even Scottish in origin.  It sometimes has identical spellings in different countries, but quite different meanings!  If English it is usually spelt Low or Lowe, and derives from the pre-7^th Century word 'hlaw’, meaning a prominent small hill, a barrow, or burial mound, and hence somebody who lived by such a place.  However in all European counties it may be a medieval nickname derived from the Old Norse word 'lagr’, meaning low or short, and hence probably given to a tall person!  The Norman French word 'lou', meaning wolf, is also a possibility as a nickname in all countries, and so described a ferocious individual, or again maybe the reverse.  It may also derive from the pre medieval word 'lewo' meaning a lion, and hence was a name given to a brave or regal person.  This explanation may have some connection with the Ashkenasic word 'leyb' and the lion of Judah.  In countries whose language is primarily German based the surname is recorded in many forms including: Low; Lowe; Leeb; Leeuw, Leeuwink; Leeuwerink; Leue; Lev; Lob; Lobe; and Louw.  Lastly the name can be Scottish in origin, and a short form of male given name Lawrence.  The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world may be that of John le Lu, in 1207, in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire.

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