Dower

Dower
This interesting name is occupational, deriving from the old English "dah" meaning dough, plus the agent suffix "er" (one who works with) which gives "the maker of dough, a baker". The first recording of the name dates from the 14th Century. John le Douar is entered in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in the year 1332. A William le Doghere is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Surrey in 1333. In 1590 on September 21st Nicholas, son of John Dower, was christened at the church of St. Margaret, Westminster, London. This is the earliest recording of the modern spelling. On December 16th 1599, Alyce, daughter of Wyllm Dower, was christened at the church of St. Giles, Cripplegate in London. Variations in the spelling in the records include "Douer", "Dowher", "Dowers" and "Dowyer". One Henery Doure married Annas Hobson on September 27th 1653 at Coniston, Lancaster and Thomas Dowher married Jinnet Berry at Wigan on May 5th 1751. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard le Douar, which was dated 1332, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Sussex", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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Synonyms:
, / / (of real estate)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dower — • A provision for support during life accorded by law to a wife surviving her hustand Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Dower     Dower      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • dower — dow·er / dau̇ ər/ n [Anglo French, from Old French douaire, modification of Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot dos gift, dowry]: the life estate in a man s real property to which his wife is entitled upon his death under common law and some… …   Law dictionary

  • Dower — Dow er, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L. dare to give. See 1st {Date}, and cf. {Dot} dowry, {Dotation}.] 1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dower — vb Dower, endow, endue are comparable when meaning to furnish or provide with a gift. Dower specifically denotes the provision of the dowry which a woman brings to a husband in marriage {a well dowered bride} It may also imply the bestowal of a… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • dower — late 13c., from O.Fr. doaire dower, dowry, gift (see DOWRY (Cf. dowry)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • dower — [dou′ər] n. [ME douere < OFr douaire < ML dotarium < L dos: see DOT2] 1. that part of a man s property which his widow inherits for life 2. a dowry 3. a natural talent, gift, or endowment vt. 1. to give a dower to …   English World dictionary

  • dower — ► NOUN 1) a widow s share for life of her husband s estate. 2) archaic a dowry. ORIGIN Old French douaire, from Latin dotare endow , from dos dowry …   English terms dictionary

  • Dower — Relationships Types …   Wikipedia

  • dower — The legal right or interest which the wife acquires by marriage in the real estate of her husband. At common law it consists in the use, during her natural life after the death of her husband, of one third of all the real estate of which her… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Dower — A common law that entitles a widow to a portion of her husband s estate in absence of a will. The provision of dower allows the wife to provide for herself and any children born during the marriage. In most circumstances, the widow is granted up… …   Investment dictionary

  • dower — I. noun Etymology: Middle English dowere, from Anglo French dower, douaire, from Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot , dos gift, marriage portion more at date Date: 14th century 1. the part of or interest in the real estate of a deceased… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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