Surname Nowlin - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Origins of the Surname Nowlin with iGENEA DNA Test

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F. Nowlin

Nowlin: What does the surname Nowlin mean?

The surname Nowlin is of Irish origin and was first recorded in County Clare, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The name Nowlin is derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Nuallain," which means descendant of Nuallán. The element "Nuallán" is derived from "nuall," which means "noble, famous." Therefore, the overall meaning of Nowlin can be interpreted as "the descendant of the famous or noble one." Over time, the name underwent various anglicized spellings, including Nolen, Nolan, Nolin, Nowlan, and Nowlin. It is worth noting that family names in Ireland are intimately connected to the country's shared history with tribal groups, often indicating kinship and regional ties. Today, Nowlin and its variations are widespread in many English-speaking countries due to Irish diaspora.

Nowlin: Where does the name Nowlin come from?

Nowlin is a surname that has origins in England and Scotland. Today, it is mostly common in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, it ranks as the 6,993rd most common surname in the country.

In the US, the highest concentration of Nowlin families live in Kentucky and Tennessee. The state of Kentucky hosts the most Nowlins, with over 1,600 individuals living in the state as of 2018. The county with the most individuals with the Nowlin surname is Scott County, Kentucky, where over 900 individuals can be found.

Tennessee follows Kentucky in terms of concentration, and is the state with the second-highest concentration of the surname. It is estimated that there are over 1000 individuals living in Tennessee with the Nowlin surname.

Additionally, there are several individuals with the Nowlin surname living in other states, such as Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, and several others.

The Nowlin surname is not all that moderately common in other countries. Of the countries where the name is present, the most common include England, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Scotland.

Variations of the surname Nowlin

Nowlin is a surname of English origin, but is found in records throughout North America and Europe. It derives from the Old English nickname given to someone who was a ‘round-faced” or chubby-cheeked person. The surname is alternatively spelled as Knowlin, Nowlan, Nolyn, Nawlin, and Nawlan. In Scotland the name is known by the variant spellings Nolyn and Noeling.

In England, Nowlin is most commonly found in the county of Kent. The most popular variant in England is Knowlin, with Nowlan being a distant second.

In Ireland, the name is found most significantly in theCounty of Meath, in the province of Leinster. There it is most commonly found as Nowlan, the Irish spelling being Noláin.

In the US, the most common variant is Nowlin, with the alternate spellings being Nawlin, Nawlan, Nolyn and Noeling. It is most commonly found in the South and Midwest, and is particularly common in Kentucky, Texas, and Arkansas.

And in Canada, the most common form of Nowlin is Nowlan, with Knowlin and Nolyn also being found. The Nowlan variants are most common in the province of Ontario.

Overall, Nowlin is one of the most common surnames found throughout the English-speaking world, with seven different variant spellings. It is a surname derived from an Old English nickname, given to someone with “round-faced” or chubby-cheeks, and can be found in England, Ireland, the United States, and Canada, with various spellings being more popular in different regions.

Famous people with the name Nowlin

• Shane Nowlin: American film producer, director, and screenwriter.
• Layne Nowlin: American actor best known for playing Trent Dunham in One Tree Hill.
• Al Nowlin: American character actor and scriptwriter for The Carol Burnett Show.
• Alexa Nowlin: American novelist and artist known for her book Death of a Salesman.
• Bernie Nowlin: American photographer and music video director.
• Brad Nowlin: American comic book writer and artist.
• Gregory Nowlin: American singer-songwriter most known for his single "Livin' it Up".
• Jacob Nowlin: American actor best known for his role in the Halo 5: Guardians series.
• Judd Nowlin: American stand-up comedian and television writer.
• Justin Nowlin: American baseball catcher for the Tennessee Smokies.
• Kim Nowlin: American annalist, author, and public historian.
• Kenneth Nowlin: American actor most known for his roles in For Colored Girls and For Reasons Unknown.
• Rodney Nowlin: American poet and professor emeritus at Arizona State University.
• Steve Nowlin: American actor and filmmaker known for his role in Run, Lola, Run.
• Thom Nowlin: American television and film producer.

Other surnames

Nowling