Dowling
An Irish surname most commonly linked to Gaelic Ó Dúbhlainn or a related form, with the sense of a descendant of a personal name built on “dubh” meaning “dark” or “black.”
The #2,245 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 19,014 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Dowling is generally treated as an Anglicized Irish surname. The historical forms cited by Irish surname scholars connect it with Gaelic names such as Ó Dúbhlainn, with the first element usually explained from dubh, meaning “black” or “dark.” The second element is less certain in the old scholarship, so the exact original personal name behind Dowling is not always given with confidence.
History
The surname is long established in Ireland and appears in Irish onomastic works alongside other anglicized Gaelic names such as Doolan and Doolin. In modern records it is found both in Ireland and in the wider Irish diaspora, especially in English-speaking countries. The surname also appears in American and British historical records as early as the 18th century.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Irish surname dictionaries often group Dowling with several similar spellings because Anglicization could turn one Gaelic name into multiple English forms.
From the historical record
“174s. Manied— ftler NewbinlBa and Calhcrice Dowling : St. Geo. Chap. IliJladdphia,!, 1,0; BortoatU.S.), 0,0,8. Newbold, Newbald, New- bolt, Newbould, Newboult. —”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances