Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
COWAN
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Gaelic.) Gobhainn, a smith; Gowan, a Scottish word for a wild flower.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
COWAN. Probably a corruption of Colban, an ancient Celtic name, since Colbanstoun in the S. of Scotl. was corrupted to Cowanstoun.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic