Surname Cowan - Meaning and Origin

The Unexpected Odyssey of the Surname ‘Cowan’: A Multicultural Fusion Unveiled by iGENEA DNA Test

The journey into my personal ancestry culminated into an unexpected and thrilling adventure. I took an iGENEA DNA test with a seemingly clear understanding of my surname, Cowan, associating it with Celtic origins. But surprising turns and unconventional paths discovered through the test proved otherwise. My surname was just the tip of an iceberg hiding rich, diversified roots coursing from Ionian Greece to the Eastern European belt, and the Irish coasts, with an unexpected trace of Sephardic Jewish lineage.

Q. Cowan

Cowan: What does the surname Cowan mean?

The surname Cowan primarily originates from Scotland and Ireland. This patronymic name can generally be traced back to the Gaelic MacComhdhain, meaning "son of Comhdan", with Comhdan being a personal name. The literal translation may suggest it means 'son of the hound of the plain'.

However, another common belief is that the name could derive from the Gaelic "cuaine", which translates to ‘hearth’ or 'porridge' and was used as a nickname to denote a stranger or outsider. In the context of Scottish history, Cowan was often given to non-Guild stonemasons, those who lacked guild qualification and considered outsiders.

Regardless of its precise origin, the surname carries with it a rich sense of history and tradition in Scottish and Irish culture. Different variants of spelling over the centuries have included Cowen, Cowens, Cowan, Cowans, MacCowan, and others. Today, people with the surname Cowan can be found all over the world.

Cowan: Where does the name Cowan come from?

The surname Cowan is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic term 'MacAmhalghaidh', referring to the son of Amhalghaidh or Amalgaid. Interestingly, Cowan can also be an Anglicised form of 'MacOwen' or 'MacCowan', meaning the son of Owen. It is believed that Cowan is a habitational name from various places in Scotland such as Cowal, Cowan Bridge, and Cowden.

Today, it is common in countries like the United States, Scotland, England, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the surname Cowan is more frequently found in states like Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. In Scotland, it remains prevalent in regions such as Lanarkshire. A significant number of Cowan families also reside in English counties like Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Variations of the surname Cowan

The surname Cowan has traces in Irish and Scottish origin and comes from the Gaelic name "Mac Gabhann" or less commonly "Mac an Gabhann", which means "son of the smith." Over time, the anglicization of the name resulted in several variations and spellings.

Some variants and alternate spellings of Cowan include Cowen, Cowin, Cowans, MacCowan, MacGowan, MacGowin, MacOwen, MacGavin and MacCowan. Alternatives also encompass O'Cowan, O'Cowen and occasionally even Cohen, associated with the Jewish surname, due to phonetic similarities.

The surname can also be seen spelt with a prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac', which are anglicized prefixes meaning "son of". Examples are McCowan, McCowan, McGowan, Macowan, and McGowin. Each of these versions may have their own variations and alterations too, like added or missing letters.

In some cases, early migration led to phonetically similar surnames being adopted such as Gowen, McGowen, McGowan and Gowans. These surnames are also of the same origin. Each of these surnames, while different to contemporary eyes, speak to a shared Gaelic heritage, anchored in the profession of blacksmithing.

Famous people with the name Cowan

• Douglas Cowan: Known for Sociology of Religion.
• Alan Cowan: Notable for his work in Mathematics.
• Frank Cowan: A famous Canadian poet and insurance company owner.
• Cathy Cowan Becker: Famous for her environmental activism.
• Jon Cowan: He is a well-known TV producer.
• Tyler Cowen: A well-known economist and author.
• Warren Cowan: Known as a Hollywood publicist.
• Dwier Brown: Actor, played John Kinsella in the movie "Field of Dreams".
• Todd Cowan: Mayor of the Township of Woolwich in Ontario, Canada.
• Bruce Cowan: A renowned sprinter from Australia.
• Bill Cowan: Known as a retired U.S. Marine Corps, officer and military analyst for Fox News.
• Andrew Cowan: Popular for his work as an author.
• Rob Cowan: A famous British radio presenter and music journalist.
• Jeff Cowan: A professional Canadian ice hockey player.
• Norm Cowan: American football player in the NFL.
• Scott Cowan: Known for serving as the President of Tulane University.
• Jack Cowan: Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Chicago.

Other surnames

CowalskiCowalskyCowandCowardCowardinCowart

Comments or additions to the name "Cowan"

23.01.2024
My name is Carolyn Cowan iam from NC.But i live in California now over 40year.i will be 60year old .