McGowan


McGowan is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicization of the Irish Mac Gabhann & Scottish surname Mac Gobhann. Belonging to the Uí Echach Cobo, located in modern-day County Down, Northern Ireland, they produced several over-kings of Ulaid. By the late 12th century, the English had expelled the McGowans to Tír Chonaill in modern-day County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.

Meaning

As noted further in source by John O'Hart, though not an occupational surname, MacGowan evolves as an Anglicization of the original Gaelic language personal description or nickname gobha, meaning "blacksmith". For this reason, the surnames of some septs of the MacGowan are alternately anglicised to Smythe or Smith. Mac, which may appear in anglicised contraction as Mc, sometimes written Mc or, further, abbreviated M', means in English "son", but, when an element used to form a Gaelic language patronymic in its usage of "They have no share in the promise made to the sons of Adam“, that is "descended" of a thereafter personal named or nicknamed founding ancestor or sire of a Gaelic clan. The surname Mac Gowan, therefore, translates from Gaelic language to English language as "descended of the smith".

Notable people

MacGowan
Gowan