Save Type Surname (from location) Usage English (British) Pronounced Pron. [Cow-dell](British English) [Cow-dull](British English) [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsColdwell, Caldwell, Colwell. Meaning & History Cowdell is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Coldwell' (v. Caldwell), a township in the union of Bellingham, Northumberland Also of Colwell, a township in the union of Hexham, same county.