BOWMAN
The surname Bowman is of English origin and belongs to the class of occupational surnames. It is recorded primarily in the British Isles, and its bearers have historically been associated with the Christian faith.
The name derives from the Middle English term boweman, literally ‘a man who uses a bow’. In Saxon it is formed from boga ‘bow’ and the suffix -man, denoting a person skilled both in the manufacture and the operation of a bow. Although the primary meaning relates to archery, the word boga was also applied to a wooden implement used in the preparation of wool, and some early records suggest that the surname could denote a craftsman involved in textile work.
Early documentary evidence shows the surname in a variety of spellings, including Bowmaker, Bowmen, Boman, Bouman and Boueman. Notable entries are Adam Bogheman in the Curia Regis rolls of Westmorland (1223), Thomas Bouman of Northumberland in the Assize Court rolls (1279), and Nicholas the Boueman in the Assize Court rolls of Cheshire (1286–1287). In 1539, during the reign of King Henry VIII, Thomas Bowmaker of Newcastle was listed among the citizens capable of bearing arms.
The occupational nature of the name linked it with qualities of bravery and military prowess, attributes that later led to the granting of several coats of arms to bearers of the name. One undated armorial bearing depicts a silver shield charged with two red bows in saltire, one within the other, symbolising the archer’s skill.
Today the surname Bowman remains a widespread English family name, its etymology reflecting a medieval society where personal ability and craft were directly recorded in the names of its members.
Typical given names associated with the Bowman surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Janet
- Jennifer
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Bowman in...
Braille
⠃⠕⠺⠍⠁⠝
Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 15,191 people named Bowman in the UK. That makes it the 581st most common surname in Britain. Around 233 in a million people in Britain are named Bowman.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Bowman
- Josh Bowman - Actor
- Alfredo Bowman - Honduran herbalist (1933 to 2016)
- Scarlett Bowman - Actress
- Edith Bowman - DJ
- James Bowman - Countertenor
- Ryan Bowman - Football player
- Bill Bowman - Scottish businessperson and politician
- Elaine Kellett-Bowman - Politician (1923 to 2014)
- Alan Bowman - Classical scholar
- Dave Bowman - Scottish football player and manager
- Richie Bowman - Football player
- Edward Kellett-Bowman - Politician
- Sir William Bowman, 1st Baronet - Surgeon, histologist, anatomist (1816 to 1892)
- Joe Bowman - Football player (1902 to 1941)
- Richard Bowman - Cricketer (1934 to 2005)
- William Ernest Bowman - Writer (1911 to 1985)
- Rob Bowman - Football player
- Philip Bowman - Businessperson
- Danielle Bowman - Football player
- David Bowman - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.