Surname Boughn - Meaning and Origin

Boughn: What does the surname Boughn mean?

The last name Boughn is of English origin and has multiple possible meanings. It is thought to come from the Old English word ‘boga,’ which can be translated to bowman, archer, or forester. It is also likely derived from the Middle English ‘boghe,’ meaning bailiff or officer of the court.

In some cases, Boughn can be an altered spelling of the surname Bohn, which is thought to originate from the Old English personal name ‘Boene’ or ‘Boena’. This was derived from the ancient Germanic name ‘Bano’, which means ‘bear’ (and was often used to indicate a warrior).

The name may also have been derived from the geographical location Bouin, a manor in north-western France that was home to members of the Boughn family. Over the centuries, some of the family members migrated to England, where the last name became anglicized as Boughn.

In modern times, the last name Boughn continues to be associated with strong strength, resilience, and courage. It is also known as an indicator of belonging to a long line of admirable and notable men and women who put duty before themselves.

Boughn: Where does the name Boughn come from?

The last name "Boughn" is not especially common today, but is found predominantly in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is primarily a British and Irish name, with much of the population in the United States deriving from immigrants of British and Irish backgrounds. Based on a survey from the 2000 United States Census, Boughn is the 9,403rd most common surname in the country.

In the United Kingdom, it is much less common, with an estimated 1,179 currently bearing the surname. The majority of those with the name are living in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Hampshire.

In Canada, Boughn is also less common, but the majority of those who bear the now reside in Ontario and British Columbia. There are currently an estimated 889 people in the country with the last name "Boughn".

Overall, the name is much less common today than it used to be. Nonetheless, there are still many people around the world who share the name Boughn and proudly trace their ancestry back to those that first bore the name.

Variations of the surname Boughn

The surname Boughn is an occupational name derived from the Middle English words boughan and bogan, both meaning to bend or bow. In Old English, the verb bowian derived from this root was used to describe the making of a bow and arrow, making the surname Boughn an ancient reflection of this craft. It is believed to have originated in Northern England, specifically Durham and Nottinghamshire, and is still found in these areas today.

Variants of the surname Boughn include Boughan, Bogan, Bowan, Boughnen, Bowgen, Boggen, and Boughin. Other spellings of the surname include Baughan, Baughon, Boghan, Boghon, Baughen, Boen, Bohun, Bohon, Bohun and Boen. These variants of Boughn are also common in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other parts of the British Isles.

Surnames with the same origins as Boughn include: Bogharn, Bogham, Boghum, Boghom, Boghan, Boghane, Boghanne, Boggan, Boggane, Bougham, Boughane, Boughamme, Boughen, Boughanne and Boughham.

As the need for archery decreased, the craft of bow- and arrow-making soon faded and many archers and bowyers with the surname Boughn took on different names in the 19th century. Common surnames adopted by members of the Boughn family include Young, Allen, Walker, Hall, Pearson, Burgess, Bell, Shaw, Marsh, Hart, Henderson, Miller, Smith, Wilson, Moore and Clark.

Famous people with the name Boughn

• Stephen Boughn: American physicist and professor at Haverford College.
• David Boughn: Canadian civil engineer and former mayor of Southlands City, Nova Scotia.
• Eva Boughn: American politician from the state of Oregon.
• Shaina Boughn: American voice actress, best known for voicing characters in video games such as Metal Gear Solid 2 and Rogue Galaxy.
• Wesley Boughn: Former American professional basketball player.
• Zebulon Boughn: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Jason Boughn: American disc golfer and professional tour player.
• Theodore Boughn: American politician with a 22-year career in public service.
• Popp Boughn: American pro-wrestling champion.
• Tremayne Boughn: American basketball player and coach.
• Reginald Boughn: Canadian stockbroker, financial advisor and philanthropist.
• Dwight Boughn: American Catholic priest and former president of the University of Saint Joseph.
• William Boughn: American lawyer and business executive at one of the premier American corporate law firms.
• Elai Boughn: American singer, songwriter, and founder of Akashic Records.
• Tessa Boughn: British activist working to prevent human trafficking worldwide.
• Doug Boughn: American painter of urban realistic landscapes and a host of the HBO series, Undone.
• Mac Boughn: American internet businessman and entrepreneur.
• Fred Boughn: Canadian photographer and professor at the University of Manitoba.
• Howard Boughn: British artist, best known for his ethnographic paintings.
• Paul Boughn: Australian environmental lawyer, board member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and member of the International Bar Association.

Other surnames

BoughBoughanBoughannanBoughenBougherBoughmanBoughton