The History of the LOWIS Family in the Shap Area.

The name in English: Lowis, from Lodowicus a Norman personal name composed of the germanic elements hlod - fame and wig -War. Also recorded as Chlodevechus the latter form becoming Clovis and the former into the german Ludwig. The name was introduced into England at the time of the Norman Conquest. Lowis le Briton 1166. Walterus fullus Lowis 1209. Geoffrey Lowis 1202

However in recent correspondence with David Lowis of Lincoln, who has done extensive research on the Lowis family, his theory is that it probably derives from a shortening of `low house`. He adds that the earliest known Lowis inhabitant in Shap is a Robert Lowys who in 1472 was a participant in a football brawl!!

The earliest recorded Lowis in North Westmorland is a Henry Lowys, a tenant at Bampton in 1392. 1n 1681 another Henry Lowis is living at Laythalt in Measand, which was in Bampton Parish.

On examination of the Shap Registers it is clear that the family was well established here by the early 1500`s, with as many as five branches existing at that time. This points to the fact that if a single Lowis came north that must have occurred many years before that to produce the numbers of descendants around at that time….. It is entirely possible to believe that a Lowis followed Hugh Holme into Mardale..…although, maybe not in the same hurried manner.

Throughout the centuries there has been the constant use of Norman names. Henry. Richard. William. Hugh. John. Thomas .

Gerrard.

So persistent are the use of these names, following the pattern of naming children in earlier times, that it is nearly impossible to untangle the various families prior to 1780.

In the female line the preferred name was undoubtedly Elizabeth along with Isabel (the first Lowis to appear in the Shap registers in1558) Agnes, Margaret and Jenat.

The naming pattern was followed strictly until the early 20 th century.

The Family have occupied many of the dwellings in the Parish.

Laythalt in Measand.

Rosgill Head.(Burney Moor),

Toathmain.

Kemphow in Wet Sleddale.

Swindale.

Wreay Farm, Shap.

Nook Farm, Hardendale.

The Hermitage,Shap.

Keld Farm.

Millbeck Shap.

Waters Farm, Shap.

Littlewater, (Waters) Bampton.

Thorney Bank in Wet Sleddale.

Bampton Hall.

Thornship, Keld.

Racet (Rayside),

Shap Head.

Beckside, Sleddale.

Hegdale.

Wreay Farm, Shap.

Rosgill Hall.

Studrank.

Brackenber Farm, Shap

On examining the ratio of male and female births it would seem that there was a greater number of females. Over the centuries this has resulted in a name which cannot be described as common in spite of the centuries of its existence. However the blood is well distributed throughout the area through a prolific female line.