McGowan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of McGowan

What does the name McGowan mean?

The ancient Scottish name McGowan is carried by the descendents of the Pictish people. It was a name for a metalworker. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Ghobhainn, which means son of the smith. 1

Early Origins of the McGowan family

The surname McGowan was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles, and consisting of a large northern mainland area and various island areas off the west coast, the shire was anciently both a Pictish and Norwegian stronghold, where the name is from the Gaelic 'Govha' meaning 'a blacksmith' and as such could have been a name that applied to people throughout Scotland.

However, as in the case of clans like the Fletchers or Clarks, eventually the name became attributed to a specific area or region. As such, The Clan was also located in Nithsfield in the 12th century, and recorded as a Border Clan. To the west in Elgin and Galloway they were known as the MacGavins. Due to the Anglicization of the Gaelic name, spellings were often widely different.

"MacGowan (McGowan) is the name of an old Stirling family. Gilcallum McGoun had a precept of remission for rapine and other crimes on the lands of the abbot of Cupar, 1503 (RSS., I, 953). Gilbert Makgowin, a follower of the earl of Cassilis, was respited for murder in 1526 (ibid., 3386). William McGown in Pitcalny, a follower of Ross of Pitcalny, 1592 (RPC., V, p. 31). Murchie McGowy or Muithie McGowne in Fanmoir, Mull, was put to horn in 1629 (RPC., 2 ser. II, p. 341; III, p. 45). Alister McGhowin, an engager on royalist side, in parish of Urray, 1649 (IDR., p. 368). Alexander M'Gowne was retoured heir in the lands of Langlandes of Lochanes in the territory of Dumfries, 1672." 2

"In the reign of David II there was a Clan M'Gowan, probably located somewhere on the river Nith, whose chiefship was adjudged to Donald Edzear (RMS., I, App II, 982). This Edzear was a descendant of Dunegal of Stranith (Nithsdale), whose seat was at Morton, Dumfriesshire, about the beginning of the twelfth century. The name here may indicate descent from Owen the Bald (the Eugenius Calvin of Simeon of Durham), king of the Strathclyde Britons, who was killed in 1018." 2

Early History of the McGowan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGowan research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1396, 1613, 1631, 1658, 1661, 1683, 1698, 1725 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McGowan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGowan Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. McGowan has been written MacGowan, McGowan, MacGowin, McGowin, MacGowen, McGowen, Gow, Gowan, Gowen, Gowin, MacGavin, McGavin and many more.

Early Notables of the McGowan family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Gow (c. 1698-1725), Scottish notorious pirate probably born in Wick, Caithness whose short career was immortalized by Charles Johnson in "A General History of the Pyrates." Thomas Gowan (1631-1683), was a writer on logic, "born at Caldermuir, Scotland...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGowan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGowan World Ranking

In the United States, the name McGowan is the 905^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name McGowan is ranked the 858^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,617 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name McGowan is the 757^th popular surname with an estimated 962 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks McGowan as 700^th with 9,571 people. 6

Migration of the McGowan family to Ireland

Some of the McGowan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGowan migration to the United States +

The crossing to North America did not seem so great in comparison with the hardships many Scots endured at home. It was long, expensive, and cramped, but also rewarding. North America offered land and the chance for settlers to prove themselves in a new place. And many did prove themselves as they fought to forge a new nation in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of those Scots can now experience much of their once-lost heritage through the Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up across North America in the last century. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of McGowan:

McGowan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Archibald McGowan, who arrived with his children Duncan, John and Margaret in New York, NY in 1739
Archibald McGowan, who arrived in New York in 1739 7
Patrick McGowan, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1764 7

McGowan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Philip McGowan, aged 34, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 7
Danl McGowan, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 7
Grace McGowan, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 7
Fras McGowan, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 7
Mark McGowan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGowan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McGowan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Hugh McGowan, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Ellen McGowan, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Ann McGowan, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Bartley" in 1833
John McGowan, aged 13, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Bartley" in 1833
Matty McGowan, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGowan migration to Australia +

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

McGowan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Eleanor Mcgowan, (b. 1809), aged 28, Irish maid who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for vagrancy, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Miss Mary Mcgowan, (b. 1812), aged 25, Irish maid who was convicted in Fermanagh, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
James McGowan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Planter" in 1839 9
Susannah McGowan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Planter" in 1839 9
Jessie Newall McGowan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Planter" in 1839 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGowan 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:

McGowan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William McGowan, aged 25, a ploughman, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 10
Sarah McGowan, aged 21, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 10
Katherine McGowan, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
M. McGowan, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 11
Thomas Mcgowan, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Surat" in 1864
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McGowan (post 1700) +

Joseph J. McGowan (1945-2016), American academic, President of Bellarmine University (1990-2016)
Ned McGowan (b. 1970), American composer and flutist
John "Jack" McGowan (1894-1977), American librettist, director and producer
John W. "Jack" McGowan (1930-2001), American professional PGA golfer
John McGowan (b. 1831), Irish-born, American Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War, recipient of the Medal of Honor
Jonas Hartzell McGowan (1837-1909), American politician, United States Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Michigan (1877-1881)
Donald Wilson McGowan (1899-1967), United States Army Major General, Commander of the 50th Armored Division and Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Charles M. McGowan (1923-2013), American businessman and politician, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1967-1978)
William Aloysius "Bill" McGowan (1896-1954), American Major League Baseball umpire from 1925 to 1954, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992
Archibald C. McGowan (1822-1893), American merchant and politician, Member of New York State Assembly in 1863, 1866 and New York State Senator (1872-1875)
... (Another 76 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McGowan family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Thomas Henry McGowan (1920-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Tongala, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 12

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Joseph Mcgowan, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 13

RMS Titanic

Miss Anna F. "Annie" McGowan, aged 16, Irish Third Class passenger from Massbrook, Mayo who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 13 14
Miss Catherine McGowan (d. 1912), aged 42, Irish Third Class passenger from Terry, Mayo who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 14

The McGowan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Juncta arma decori
Motto Translation: Arms united to merit.

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Diamond
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PLANTER 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Planter.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html