Dowling Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Dowling last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Dowling coat of arms for you.
Meaning and origin of the Dowling last name
Meaning of the Dowling last name: descendant of Dúnlang. Dowling comes from Ó Dúnlaing, "descendant of Dúnlang", an old Leinster personal name. The O'Dowlings were one of the Seven Septs of Laois, along with the O'Mores, O'Kellys and others, and held lands along the River Barrow. The name is still most common in Laois, Kilkenny and Carlow, and in Dublin. The Seven Septs of Laois were the O'Mores, O'Kellys, O'Devoys, O'Lalors, O'Dorans, O'Dowlings and MacEvoys. The O'Dowlings held the district of Fearann Ua nDúnlaing beside the River Barrow, and their power declined after the plantation of Laois and Offaly in the 1550s. In 1609 several of the septs, including the O'Dowlings, were transplanted to Tarbert in County Kerry. The name also appears in Kerry today, and in England, where it may be of separate origin. Many Dowlings emigrated to the United States, Canada and Australia in the 19th century.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Dowling name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Dowling name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Dowling family history
The researched Dowling pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Dowling coat of arms.
Dowling name FAQ
What does the Dowling name mean?
Descendant of Dúnlang. Common variants include O'Dowling, Dooling, Doolin.
Where does the Dowling surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.
Is there a Dowling coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Dowling crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Dowling coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).