Surname McBowen - Meaning and Origin

McBowen: What does the surname McBowen mean?

The last name McBowen is a popular name in both Scotland and Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Dhubhain, which comes from the personal name Dubhán, meaning “little black one”. Over the centuries, the surname has travelled to many parts of the world, but is most closely associated with Scotland and Ireland.

The earliest known record of the name in Scotland dates back to the thirteenth century, when Matheus mac Dubowan served as a Bishop of Galloway in 1245. Since then, McBowens have made their mark throughout the world—from major world events like invasions and political upheaval to everyday life such as business, literature, and politics.

The McBowen family is known for their loyalty and their commitment to their clans and communities. The McBowen men were known for their strength and bravery, especially during times of hardship and civil unrest. They were also renowned for their commercial acumen and often found themselves at the forefront of key business developments and pioneering technologies. This pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit continues to run through many of the world’s leading McBowen tribes and clans today.

The McBowens have been a major part of Scottish and Irish history for centuries, and they continue to make their presence known in the world today. Their strength and courage, as well as their commercial success, have been an inspiration to many and have helped to shape the destinies of both Scotland and Ireland.

McBowen: Where does the name McBowen come from?

The last name McBowen is a relatively uncommon name today. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, but the origin of the name is still unknown. The earliest records of the name show it primarily in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire in the Highlands. Over time its use has spread throughout Scotland and England and more recently into Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and other English-speaking countries.

In Scotland, McBowen has been used as chiefly an Aberdeenshire name since the 18th century. It is also found in other parts of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland Islands, Perthshire, and Stirlingshire. The name is most common around the city of Aberdeen and its environs, as well as parts of the Highlands.Research suggests it is still primarily a Highland name, although there has been limited migration of the McBowen family into the Lowlands.

In other countries, most immigrants with the name of McBowen came from Scotland. The United States currently has the largest population of people with the name, largely due to immigration. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa also have growing populations of McBowen families.

The name McBowen is also becoming increasingly popular in Ireland, with many Irish families having it as part of their surname. This reflects the more recent increased migration of Scots into Ireland.

In general, the last name McBowen is concentrated in mostly English-speaking locales, primarily in Scotland and the United States. It is still an uncommon name but its use is gradually becoming more widespread.

Variations of the surname McBowen

The surname McBowen has several variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin. These include McBown, MacBown, MacBowan, McBowan, MacBean, McBean, and MacBain. These six different spellings of the McBowen surname all have the same origin, though the origin is uncertain. Its earliest appearances in Scotland date back to the 12th century, when references are made to the de Pauen family.

Most of the names mentioned derive from the Gaelic patronymic 'Mac Dubhain' which literally means 'son of Dubhain' (a personal name). Therefore, the surname would have been given to the descendent of Dubhain. In addition, it is also possible that the name could have derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Giobhain', meaning 'son of Gibbon' (again, a personal name).

The variations in the spellings of the surname really reflect the time in which it was used. In the 18th and 19th century, many of the Gaelic names became Anglicized or shortened, resulting in the most commonly used spellings today. One such example is how the original 'Mac Dubhain' evolved into its current spelling of 'McBowen' over time.

The McBowen surname is also known by several alternate surnames. In some cases, McBowen was changed to the Anglicized Bowan or Bowen, while in other cases, it changed to Bean, Bain, or even Bown.

Regardless of the variation, the McBowen surname remains a testament to how names evolve over time. It is a prime example of how the influence of language and society have taken something as strongly as a surname, and changed it to better suit its surroundings.

Famous people with the name McBowen

• Malcolm McBowen: An American businessman and entrepreneur best known for his work in the venture capital industry. He was cofounder of ANDE Ventures and now serves as its executive chairman.
• Tyler McBowen: A professional lacrosse player who currently plays for the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.
• Abbi McBowen: A British actress and model best known for her role as Katrina in the 2017 television series Childhood Innocence.
• Raymond McBowen: An American actor who currently appears on the CBS sitcom, Two and a Half Men.
• Charles McBowen: An American politician who served as the 34th Governor of New Jersey from 1916 to 1920.
• Roy McBowen: A Canadian former ice hockey player who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the St. Louis Blues and the Vancouver Canucks.
• John McBowen: A former American basketball player who played college basketball for the New Mexico State Aggies and professionally for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• Wilfred McBowen: An American artist and sculptor best known for his bronze sculptures depicting historical figures and events as well as wildlife.

Other surnames

McBowan