McDowell is a surname. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Dubhghaill. Notable people with the surname include:
Charles S. McDowell (1871–1943), interim governor of Alabama
Charles T. McDowell (born 1921), American academic and military officer
Derek McDowell (born 1958), Irish politician
Ephraim McDowell (1771–1830), American physician
Fred McDowell (1904–1972), American blues singer and guitar player
Graeme McDowell (born 1979), Northern Irish professional golfer
Irvin McDowell (1818–1885), Union army general
Jack McDowell (born 1960), former Major League Baseball pitcher
Jack McDowell (born circa 1922-23), Northern Irish political activist
James McDowell (1795–1851), politician from Virginia
James F. McDowell (1825-887), politician from Pennsylvania
James F. McDowell (born 1862), politician from Wisconsin
John McDowell (born 1942), English philosopher
Johnny McDowell (1915–1952), American Formula One driver
Josh McDowell (born 1939), American Christian apologist and author
Kelly McDowell (born circa 1953), mayor of El Segundo, California
Linda McDowell (born 1949), British geographer
Malcolm McDowell (born 1943), English actor
Matthew McDowell, Steamboat owner and builder
Michael McDowell (politician) (born 1951), barrister and former Irish politician
Michael McDowell (actor) (born 1964), Northern Irish actor
Michael McDowell (author) (1950-1999), American novelist and screenwriter
Michael P. Kube-McDowell (born 1954), American science fiction writer
Michael McDowell (racing driver) (born 1984), American race car driver
Oddibe McDowell (born 1962), former Major League Baseball player
Paul McDowell (1905–1962), American rower
Paul McDowell (actor) (1931–2016), English actor and screenwriter
Robert M. McDowell (born 1963), former U.S. Federal Communications Commissioner
Roger McDowell (born 1960), Major League baseball player and coach
R.B. McDowell (1913–2011), Professor Emeritus of History, Trinity College Dublin
Sam McDowell (born 1942), Major League baseball pitcher
Thomas McDowell (born 1977), convicted murderer
William Fraser McDowell (1858–1937), American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church
