Surname Gow - Meaning and Origin

Gow: What does the surname Gow mean?

The last name Gow is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic term 'gobha' which means 'blacksmith'. Historically, blacksmithing was a highly valued trade skill, making this a prestigious surname. The name is primarily associated with the Scottish Highlands and particularly with the clan 'Smith' - one of the oldest clans in Scotland. The profession of blacksmith involved not only making and repairing tools but also often included the roles of farrier and armor maker. This surname represents part of a larger historical trend of surnames derived from occupations. It is also found with variant spellings, including Gowan and Gowans.

Gow: Where does the name Gow come from?

The surname Gow originates from Scotland, stemming from the Gaelic term "gobha" which means "blacksmith." During the Middle Ages, blacksmithing was a crucial craft, and it was customary to name people according to their occupation, which likely led to the surname's development. The name could also trace back to the Pictish tribes of ancient Scotland. Over several centuries, various spelling variations of the name Gow developed, with some of the more common ones including MacGow, McGowan, and McGowin. It spread to Ireland along with Scottish settlers.

Today, those bearing this surname are found in different regions of the world due to global migration patterns, particularly the emigration of Scots during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is prevalent in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its global dispersal, the surname Gow remains more common in Scotland compared to other regions.

Variations of the surname Gow

The surname Gow is of Scottish origin, stemming from the Gaelic term "gobha" which means a blacksmith. There are several variants and spellings associated with the surname Gow. Some of these include Gowe, Gouw, Gowen, McGow, Gowans, Gowanson, MacGowand, Gowan, McGowan, and MacGowan. Notably, the surnames McGowan and MacGowan could mean 'son of the blacksmith'.

Additionally, Gow might have been anglicized into Smith due to its meaning. It's worth mentioning that all surnames, including Gow, evolved over centuries and varied according to factors like regional dialects, literacy levels, and geographical relocations.

In the Scottish Highlands, the name Gow is associated with Clan MacGillivray, but in the Lowlands, it connects with Clan Smith. It's not uncommon to find other variations of the surname Gow, especially in records from the 16th and 17th centuries, due to clerical errors and the phonetic spelling of surnames.

However, the most common variants are likely to be Gow, Gowan, McGow, McGowan, and potentially, Smith. The various spellings of the surname Gow are representative of the deep and far-reaching history of the Scottish people and their diaspora.

Famous people with the name Gow

• Andrew Gow: Australian chess player and former FIDE master.
• Ben Gow: Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong Football Club from 2003-2008.
• David Gow: Canadian scientist and author of several books on environmental health, energy, and conservation issues.
• Elizabeth Gow: British artist who primarily creates landscape sculptures, installations, and site-specific works inspired by her travels and fascination with remote places and natural phenomena.
• Gordon Gow: British film and media executive and author who served as head of Allied Artists Pictures in the 1950s.
• Graham Gow: Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Greenock Morton, Hamilton Academical, and Motherwell.
• Gordon Gow: Canadian racing driver and former racing executive who was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2004.
• James Gow: British Member of Parliament who represented the Totnes constituency from 1923-1929.
• Jenny Gow: British television presenter who has worked on a number of shows, including GMTV, Countdown, The Crystal Maze, and TFI Friday.
• Ken Gow: Australian actor and writer best known for his roles in the TV mini-series Homicide and the film Caddie.

Other surnames

GowanGowbyllGowderGowdeyGowdieGowdyGowenGowensGowertGöwertGowinGowingGownGowneGowsey