The name Cowley is also a common surname on the Isle of Man and several Cowley families appear in our family tree. In our direct line Elizabeth Cowley married William Christian in 1839.
The name Cowley, like the often intechangeable Kewley, was contracted from MacAulay, the shortened form of MacAmhlibh, 'Anlaf's or Olaf's son', which suggests a Viking origin.
At this stage not a lot is known about our Cowley family...