The English surname Dowse is a variant spelling of Duce. In this spelling, the name has also been found in Ireland since the 14th century. The name Dowse is a nickname from the Middle English term  douce, dowce meaning “sweet, or pleasant.” The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo Duce of le Duz. which was dated 1200 in the "Cartulary of Oseney Abbey", Oxfordshire. A Walter Dous or Douce is recorded in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. On May 2nd 1635, one Robert Duce aged 18, embarked from London on the ship "Alexander" bound for the Barbadoes, and the christening of Isaack, an infant, son of John and Frances Duce, is recorded in St. Bride, Fleet Street, London on July 1st, 1660.