Surname Towers - Meaning and Origin

Towers: What does the surname Towers mean?

The surname Towers is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographic name derived from the Middle English word "toures", which means towers. This name was likely given to someone who lived near a prominent tower or worked in one, such as in a watchtower or a fortified castle tower. Towers could also be a habitational name, referring to someone who originated from several places in England named "Towers". As surnames became necessary for official documents and records in medieval times, people often adopted their place of residence, profession, or notable geographic features as their last name. Therefore, the surname Towers has a strong association with medieval architectural structures. As with many surnames, it can be found in various spellings, including Tower, Towere, Toure, and others. The Towers family motto, "Pax copia", translates as "peace and plenty".

Towers: Where does the name Towers come from?

The last name 'Towers' is quite common today, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is also more commonly found in certain areas of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

In the United Kingdom, it is particularly common in London, while in the United States it is more common in areas like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina.

The current spelling of 'Towers' is derived from the Middle English word "tour", meaning 'tower' or 'stronghold'. This suggests the name is of Anglo-Norman origin, likely first used when these rulers took control of England in the 11th century.

In the United Kingdom, the earliest known usage of the Towers surname is from a Ketel le Tour from 1275, found within the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire. This suggests the name had spread from the initial areas of interest to other parts of England.

In the United States, the first known usage of the Towers name dates back to 1690, when a settler by the name of James Towers is known to have arrived in Pennsylvania. From here, the name is believed to have spread to other areas of the United States.

Today, the surname Towers is relatively commonly used in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Towers

The surname Towers is an English occupational name meaning one who worked as a watchman or sentinel, stemming from the Old English word “torr” meaning “tower or fortification.” Other variations of the name include Tower, Towers, Tower and Towars.

Towers is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name “Tower”, which was an Old Norse given name a variation of the Old English name “Thurstan”, which means “Thor-stone.” Thus the surname Towers may refer to someone either in charge of a lookout tower, or as a nickname for a stout and strong person.

The surname Towers is also sometimes spelled as: Tower, Towars, Tour, Tor, Tore, Tarr, Teare, Teer, and Teers. These are all variations of the same surname derived from the same origins.

Other surnames derived from the same root include Toure and Toward. Toure is a French variation of the name Tower and Toward is an American variation that was created by immigrants in the 19th century.

The variations of this surname are found in many English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The name is among the 50 most common surnames in England and Wales. It is also among the most common surnames in the United States, ranking around 945th most common.

Famous people with the name Towers

• Emily Towers: Actress
• Steve Towers: Former professional football player
• Brett Towers: Major League Baseball pitcher
• Sammy Towers: Musician
• Jimmy Towers: Gospel singer
• George Towers: Actor
• Martha Towers: Businesswoman
• Edward Towers: Classical composer
• Arthur Towers: Poet and writer
• Ralph Towers: Politician
• Lawrence Towers: Historian
• Stephanie Towers: Radio host
• Tony Towers: Jazz musician
• Antonia Towers: Sculptor
• June Towers: Architect
• Kay Towers: Filmmaker
• Carl Towers: Painter
• Betty Towers: Artist
• Richard Towers: Painter
• Meredith Towers: Author

Other surnames

TowerTowersonTowery