Towers
An English surname that can come either from the word for a tower or from places linked to Tours in France.
The #7,565 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 70,297 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is often treated as a plural or possessive form of "Tower," referring to someone associated with a tower, fortified place, or tower-like landmark. Some 19th-century authorities also connect it with Old French de Tours, meaning "from Tours" in France, which could have been simplified and Anglicized over time. The underlying word for tower is ultimately tied to Latin and related European forms for a tall defensive structure.
History
The name appears in medieval and later English records in forms such as Towers and Towerson, showing that it was established early in England. Different writers have proposed both a topographic/occupational sense and a Norman locational origin from Tours, so the surname may have more than one independent source. It is now best treated as an English surname with possible Norman-French input.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Some old surname books explicitly note that Towers and Towerson may both trace back to the same base form, "Tower."
From the historical record
“TOWERS (Eng.) the Tower's (Son) : v. Tower', Tawer. (A.-Fr.-Lat.) pi. of TowerS q.v. TOWERSON (Eng.) the Tower's Son : v. Tower', Tawer. TOWGOOD = Toogood, q.v. TOWL 1 I for Toll, q.v. TOWLE / 2 for Towell, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)