This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Cowanaugh family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Cowanaugh Family History

Cowanaugh Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Cavanaugh, Cobaugh, Coolbaugh, Clabaugh, Colbaugh, Fosnaugh, Cavanagh

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Cowanaugh family from?

You can see how Cowanaugh families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Cowanaugh family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there was 1 Cowanaugh family living in Pennsylvania. This was about 33% of all the recorded Cowanaugh's in USA. Pennsylvania and 2 other states had the highest population of Cowanaugh families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Cowanaugh surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What Cowanaugh family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 17 census records available for the last name Cowanaugh. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Cowanaugh census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Cowanaugh

Passenger Lists

There are 642 immigration records available for the last name Cowanaugh. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Cowanaugh immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Cowanaugh. For the veterans among your Cowanaugh ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Cowanaugh military records

You've only scratched the surface of Cowanaugh family history

Discover More

What is the average Cowanaugh lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Cowanaugh ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Cowanaugh

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Cowanaugh family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial