Dowdell is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
James R. Dowdell (1847–1921), American jurist and the 20th Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme CourtJohn E. Dowdell (born 1955), United States District Judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of OklahomaJames Ferguson Dowdell (1818–1871), second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University and a U.S. Representative from AlabamaJames R. Dowdell (1847–1921), U.S. juristJeff Dowdell (born 1987), Australian professional basketball playerRel Dowdell, American screenwriter, film director, film producer, and English/screenwriting educatorShanavia Dowdell (born 1987), American professional basketballZabian Dowdell (born 1984), American professional basketball