Summary

The surname 'DOWDY' has an English origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle English word 'dowde', meaning 'a fool'. The name may have been given as a nickname to someone who displayed foolish or simple behavior. Over time, the surname has spread to various English-speaking countries.
There are
13468
Dowdys in the USA
Dowdy is the
2678th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Dowdy

JamesDowdy

James Dowdy was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

DorothyDowdy

Dorothy Dowdy is an American actress best known for her role as 'Nancy Thompson' in the 1984 horror film 'A Nightmare on Elm Street.'

WilliamDowdy

William Dowdy was an African-American artist and educator known for his contributions to the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.

SamanthaDowdy

Samantha Dowdy is a Canadian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Cariboo—Prince George since 2019.

RobertDowdy

Robert Dowdy is a professional American football offensive tackle who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

ElizabethDowdy

Elizabeth Dowdy is a British archaeologist and Egyptologist known for her research on ancient Egyptian burial practices and funerary art.

JohnDowdy

John Dowdy was an American politician who served as the 49th Governor of Mississippi from 1956 to 1960.

CarolynDowdy

Carolyn Dowdy is an American journalist and news anchor who has worked for various television networks, including CNN and MSNBC.

JosephDowdy

Joseph Dowdy was a British military officer who served as a general during the American Revolutionary War.

LauraDowdy

Laura Dowdy is an American lawyer and legal scholar known for her work on environmental law and policy.

Dowdy Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Dowdy' is of English origin and is derived from a nickname for a person who was considered untidy, unfashionable, or old-fashioned.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Dowdy' is most commonly found in the United States, with significant concentrations in states such as Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Dowdy' include 'Dowdie' and 'Dowdes.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Dowdy' has been carried by individuals and their descendants who migrated from England to the United States and other English-speaking countries.