Summary

The surname Dowd is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word 'Dubh', meaning dark or black. It is commonly found in counties Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal. The Dowd family is known for its long history and participation in Ireland's rich cultural heritage.
There are
13590
Dowds in the USA
Dowd is the
2651st
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Dowd

MaureenDowd

Maureen Dowd is an American journalist and op-ed columnist for The New York Times. She has won the Pulitzer Prize for her commentary on the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

BrianDowd

Brian Dowd is an American politician who has served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2019.

TomDowd

Tom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer who worked with numerous influential musicians, including Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin.

DowdBennett

Dowd Bennett is a prominent American law firm known for handling high-profile cases, including white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation.

JamesDowd

James Dowd is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens.

HelenDowd

Helen Dowd was an American actress who appeared in films during the silent era, known for her role in the 1921 film 'The Iron Trail.'

PatrickDowd

Patrick Dowd is an American sculptor known for his large-scale outdoor sculptures, often created using natural materials like stone and wood.

MichaelDowd

Michael Dowd is a former New York City police officer who was involved in a large-scale corruption scandal known as the 'Mollen Commission.'

BrendanDowd

Brendan Dowd is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL).

MaryDowd

Mary Dowd was an Irish revolutionary and political activist who played a key role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Dowd Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Dowd' is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó Dubhda,' meaning 'descendant of Dubhda.' The name Dubhda is derived from the Irish word 'dubh,' which means 'black' or 'dark.'
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Dowd' is most common in Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster. It is also found in other English-speaking countries with a significant Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Dowd' include 'O'Dowd' and 'McDowd.'
Migration and ImmigrationMany people with the surname 'Dowd' emigrated from Ireland to other countries, particularly during the Irish diaspora of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They settled in areas with large Irish populations and contributed to the cultural and economic development of their new homelands.