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Family spelling variants includes Eógan, Owain, Bowens, Bowen, Owenson, Owen
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OWENS Family History
This is a patronymic surname derived from the Welsh personal name, Owen. The forms Owen and Owens are both very popular in Wales. The Bowen and Bowens surnames are related very closely as they mean 'son of Owen', having derived from the Welsh phrases 'ab Owen' and 'ap Owen' which were both later contracted to Bowen.
Another spelling variation is Owain. The origins of the name could lie in the Welsh word for lamb – 'oen', or it may have originally derived from the Latin 'eugenius', meaning 'well-born'. Other theories relating to the name's origins include that it derives from the Old Welsh word 'og' meaning 'young' or 'youth', a root element which is the equivalent of the Old Irish óc from which the name Eógan (the Irish for Owen) is derived.
The name is very prominent in Welsh legends and history, it being the name of several leaders, including Owain Gwynedd who ruled the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd between 1137 until his death in 1170, and Owen/Owain Glyndwr, one of the most famous of Welsh leaders, a descendant of the Princes of Powys who led a war of independence against the English in the early 15th century.
Fixed, hereditary surnames only started to be used in Wales between the 16th and 19th centuries. In the western side and the north west of the country in particular, fixed surnames were not generally used until the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 'Owen' would therefore refer to a specific ancestor who lived during that time. As a surname, Owen and Owens are the most popular versions seen in north Wales, and are very common surnames there, while Bowen or Bowens are more often seen in the south of the country than in the north.
SOURCES:
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857) by William Arthur
Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower
Surnames of the United Kingdom (1912) by Henry Harrison
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Looking for information of Partick Owen, who arrived 1848 in New Orleans LA. Her 7 year old daughter Bridget. WAS my Great Grandma. He had three childrend and a pregnant wife when he left Liverpool, End, had a fourth child Mary, while on Sea.
ReplyMy grandfather was Herbert Owens of Manitoba Canada and I know he came from Ontario Canada. Married to Christina Belle Campbell. Their children John,Marjery,Wesley I am the son of Wesley and Maxine Owen's. Am I a member of the Welsh Owen's Family?
ReplyMy father Richard Owens came from Boston. I live in CA. I am the father of three sons, Liam, Dylan, and Devin. We have tracked our family to McHugh from Tyrone. But this is all I have found. Just looking to learn more.
ReplyMy grandmother was Geneva Owens, daughter of Sheriff of Glynn County in Georgia U.S.A.. There is a large extended Owens family there that reunites every year in Brunswick GA.. Interesting, the Owens family tree is on my mother's side. On my fathers side is the Lloyd clan, descended from my father's side from Elystan ap Gllodrydd of the fifth tribe of royal wales.
ReplyMy mother’s maiden name is Owens. We live in Armuchee Georgia USA as far as I’ve been told we are Welsh/Irish I’m am proud of both. I would love to know the origin.
ReplyEddie Owens
ReplyMy grandfather was Toby Owens had 19 kids my farther is fayne owens from clintwood Virginia
ReplyLooking forcany Owens relatives from north carolina or maryland
ReplyMy Father is Cedartown ,GA that's all that I know.he had 4 brother William,LC,Horse and one sister Catherine.
ReplyLeonard James owens eldest of the tribe of owens in wales until his death members of the opens cane and took him to a meeting of the tribe at camarthenshire nearly 60 years ago he was born in may 1912 of a family that fought in the first world war and as far as I can see every battle before that
ReplyMy great, great, great grandfather Thomas H Owens was born in Wales and came to the US. Trying to find where he was born in Wales. I understand that he was a miner and settled in the Pennsylvania and Virginia areas of the US. He raised a family in Virginia. His son Thomas T. Owens was my great, great grandfather and Taylor F. Owens was my great grandfather.
ReplyMy grandfather was TJ Owens and don’t know a lot about his history. Just seeing what I can learn
ReplyAreas of Origin for OWENS
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