How common is the Boswell surname?

There are approximately 12,000 people with the surname Boswell in the United States.

Are there Boswell soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 735 soldiers with the Boswell surname appear in Civil War records.

Boswell

Q: What does the surname Boswell mean?

The surname Boswell means "Derived from a place name meaning 'well or spring in the woods' or 'cattle spring'.". It is of English/Scottish origin.

Topographic

Meaning

Derived from a place name meaning 'well or spring in the woods' or 'cattle spring'.

Etymology

The surname combines Old English 'bōsc' (forest) or 'bōst' (cattle) with 'well' (a spring or water source). It originated from a specific English or Scottish location with such a geographical feature.

About the Boswell Surname

An English or Scottish surname with topographic origins indicating a woodland spring or well. The name gained prominence through James Boswell, the famous 18th-century biographer of Samuel Johnson.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 12,000 bearers in the United States #1,040 most common surname

Rare Common

Found in England, Scotland, and English-speaking countries worldwide.

Boswell Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Boswell Surname

G.G. Boswell

Clerk

Quick Facts

Origin: English/Scottish
Classification: Topographic
Earliest Record: Medieval England/Scotland
Estimated Bearers: 12,000

War Records

735 soldiers with the Boswell surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →