McGowan

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McGowan or MacGowan is the anglicised spelling and pronunciation of the Gaelic name Mac a' Gobhainn (pron. MacGavan). It is known in both Scots and Irish dialects of Gaelic.

It is rare among Gaelic names as it is not a clan or sept name but a trade name, (smith or blacksmith). Groups of McGowans were associated with many major clans or families and historically acted as metalworker and armourer to these groups.

A major group of McGowans established themselves as a sept or minor clan in County Cavan, Ireland. The surname is now most common in Donegal and Derry. Emigration from Donegal lead to a great number of McGowans in central Scotland, especially in and around Glasgow.

McGowan is also anglicised as Smith, Smythe, McGovan, Gavin and so on.

Contents 1 McGowan 2 MacGowan 3 Mac a' Ghobhainn 4 See also

[edit] McGowan

Persons

• American director Robert F. McGowan
• American Actress Rose McGowan
• English artist Mark McGowan
• American entrepreneur William G. McGowan
• American baseball umpire Bill McGowan
• Four English Barons McGowan
• Australian politician Brian McGowan
• American actor Tom McGowan
• American football player Brandon McGowan
• American admiral Samuel McGowan
• American Civil War general Samuel McGowan
• Irish historian Joe McGowan
• American baseball player Dustin McGowan
• British impressionist Alistair McGowan
• American corporate executive, Stephen McGowan
• American dancer Jewel McGowan
• American screenwriter and director Robert A. McGowan
• Australian-American actor and director J.P. McGowan
• American Ambassador Gerald S. McGowan
• Drowned Fish Guitarist James McGowan
• Drowned Fish Keyboarder Robbie McGowan

Other

• American destroyer USS McGowan (DD-678)

[edit] MacGowan

Persons

• Irish musician Shane MacGowan
• American politician Foster MacGowan Voorhees

[edit] Mac a' Ghobhainn

• Iain Mac a' Ghobhainn - name of Iain Crichton Smith in his native Scottish Gaelic

[edit] See also

• Gowan
• Smith (surname)