Louw

Louw is a surname most commonly found among Afrikaans-speaking communities in South Africa and Namibia, where it ranks among the better-known family names. It also appears among Dutch- and Belgian-descended populations and in other countries with historical European migration. In some cases, Louw occurs as a given name, especially in South Africa, reflecting its status as a traditional Afrikaans name as well as a surname.

The surname Louw is generally considered to be of Dutch origin, likely derived from a given name such as Louis or Laurentius. In Afrikaans and Dutch practice, it may have originated as a patronymic or as a shortened form of a longer name, later fixed as a hereditary surname. The spelling Louw is characteristic of the Afrikaans orthography.

In South Africa, Louw is particularly common among Afrikaner families and has historical roots dating to Dutch settlers in the Cape Colony. The name is also present in Namibia, Botswana, and among diaspora communities in Europe, North America, and Australia. Variants encountered in other languages include Lowe, Loew, or Lou; however, Lowe is usually a distinct surname with different origins.

Notable people bearing the surname Louw have been prominent in politics, sport, and academia within southern Africa, including figures in government, professional sports, and scholarship. The name continues to be carried by multiple generations in Afrikaans-speaking communities.