Owen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Owen

What does the name Owen mean?

A product of the ancient Brythonic Celts of Wales, the name Owen, is from the Welsh personal name Owen or Owain. The Old Welsh forms of this name were Ouen and Ouein and were borrowed from the Latin name Eugenius. This is in turn derived from the Greek name Eugenios, which means well-born or noble. The name was recorded in Wales as early as 926 AD, when Uwen Wenta Cyning was noted.

Early Origins of the Owen family

The surname Owen was first found in Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn), located in mid-Eastern Wales, one of thirteen historic counties, and anciently the medieval kingdom of Powys Wenwynwyn, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

From these early beginnings, the family reached throughout early England. "George Welsh Owen, Esq. of Tiverton in Devonshire, is impropriator of the great and small tithes, both of the [parish of Egloskerry] and Tremaine, [Cornwall] which belonged formerly to the priory of Launceston. In Egloskerry there are several estates, by which no small tithes are paid. From the tithes of this parish the sum of £5 per annum is paid to the incumbent curate, and sixteen shillings to the Prince of Wales's audit." 1

Early History of the Owen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Owen research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1169, 1600, 1608, 1616, 1622, 1624, 1639, 1640, 1645, 1647, 1659, 1661, 1664, 1666, 1676, 1678, 1679, 1683, 1692, 1698, 1700 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Owen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Owen Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Owen have included Owen, Owens, MacOwen, Owenson, Owenby, Ownby and others.

Early Notables of the Owen family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Thomas Owen (died 1661), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1624 and 1640, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
Sir John Owen (1600-1666), a Welsh Royalist officer during the English Civil War
John Owen (1616-1683), an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian and administrator at the University of Oxford
Arthur Owen (ca.1608-1678), a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1645 and 1678
Sir Hugh Owen, 2nd Baronet (1645-1698), a Welsh politician, Member of Parliament for Pembroke (1676-1679), High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire in 1664
Lewis Owen (1622-1692), a Welsh politician, Member of Parliament for Merioneth in 1659, High Sheriff of Merionethshire in 1647, upon the Restoration, he was nominated Knight of the Royal Oak having an...

Owen World Ranking

In the United States, the name Owen is the 455^th most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Owen is ranked the 858^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,215 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Owen is the 241^st popular surname with an estimated 14,197 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Owen as 263^rd with 2,302 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Owen as 84^th with 53,619 people. 6

Migration of the Owen family to Ireland

Some of the Owen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Owen migration to the United States +

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Owen:

Owen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Owen, who settled in Virginia in 1622
David Owen, who landed in Virginia in 1622 7
Ms. Elizabeth Owen, aged 30, who arrived in Isla de Providencia in 1635 aboard the ship "Expectation" 8
Tho Owen, aged 23, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 8
Rowland Owen, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Owen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Gustavos Owen, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 7
Susanna Owen, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1710 7
Susana Owen, who landed in Virginia in 1713 7
Gilbert Owen, who landed in Virginia in 1714 7
Jean Owen, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Owen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Owen, aged 42, who landed in New York in 1812 7
Luke Owen, aged 39, who arrived in Maine in 1812 7
Philip Owen, aged 22, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1842 7
Edmund Owen, aged 24, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1842 7
George Owen, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1849 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Owen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Owen Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Owen, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mathew Owen, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Amos Owen, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
Mr. Edward Owen U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 215 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 9

Owen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Michael Owen, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843
Mrs. Mary Owen, aged 48 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire" departing from the port of Yorkshire, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 10
Miss. Sally Owen, aged 14 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire" departing from the port of Yorkshire, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 10
Mr. Thomas Owen, aged 3 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire Lass" departing from the port of Yorkshire Lass, Killala but died on Grosse Isle on 8th August 1847 10

Owen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Owen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Catherine Owen, Welsh convict who was convicted in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Joseph Owen, English convict who was convicted in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Samuel Owen, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Owen, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. James Owen, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Owen Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mr. William Owen, (b. 1883), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oroya" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 23rd March 1903 16

Owen migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Owen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Owen, British settler arriving as the 1st detachment of Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps travelling from Tilbury, Essex aboard the ship "Ramillies" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th August 1847 17
Mr. William Owen, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in New Zealand in 1851 17
E. Owen, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Surge" in 1855
G. Owen, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Surge" in 1855
William Owen, aged 23, a rope maker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Owen migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Owen Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Wm Owen, (b. 1611), aged 23, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 7
Mr. John Owen, aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 7
Mr. David Owen, aged 26 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 19
Thomas Owen, who settled in Barbados in 1654
Anne Owen, her husband and servants, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Owen Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Gronow Owen, who arrived in Jamaica in 1757 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Owen (post 1700) +

Barbara J. Owen (1933-2024), American organist and organ scholar who also worked as a university librarian and in executive positions for the American Guild of Organists
Eleanor Owen (1921-2022), also known as Eleanor DeVito, an American journalist, playwright, university professor, costume designer, theatre actress, and mental health professional, co-founder of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Jim Owen (1941-2020), American singer-songwriter
Beverley Owen (1937-2019), born Beverley Ogg, an American television actress, best known for having played the original role of Marilyn Munster during the first season of The Munsters
Lawrence Thomas Owen (1955-2018), American Major League Baseball catcher from Cleveland, Ohio
Donald Lynn "Don" Owen (1930-2012), American news anchor and politician
Edward M. Owen, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, credited with 8 aerial victories
Charles Owen, American politician, Delegate to Iowa convention to ratify 21st amendment from Guthrie County, 1933 20
Chandler Owen, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from New York County 21st District, 1920 20
Carter Owen, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 1956 20
... (Another 133 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Owen family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. William Salisbury Owen, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
Mr. Robert Owen, British Pantryman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. William Albert Owen (1906-1941), Australian Warrant Officer Supply (S) from Willoughby, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 22

HMS Hood

Mr. Harold Owen (b. 1909), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Woolwich, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Wynne Owen, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Owen, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Owen, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

Bryony Elise Owen (1987-1988), English Passenger from Bristol, England, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 26
Gwyneth Yvonne Margaret Owen (1959-1988), English Student from Bristol, England, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 26

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Henry Owen (b. 1857), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 27

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Thomas Owen, English Linen keeper from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 28

RMS Titanic

Mr. Lewis Owen (d. 1912), aged 49, English Assistant Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 29

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Charles Owen (b. 1883), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 30
Mr. George Owen (b. 1883), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 30
Mr. John Griffith Owen (b. 1889), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 30

USS Arizona

Mr. Paul R. Owen, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 31
Mr. Fredrick Halden Owen, American Seaman Second Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

USS Indianapolis

Keith Nichols Owen (1922-1988), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he survived the sinking 32

Citations +

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"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
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Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
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