GOW
Gow is a surname of distinctly Scottish origin, emerging from the Gaelic word gobha, which translates to “smith” or “blacksmith.” The name denotes an occupational background, identifying individuals who practised metalworking or iron‑work in medieval Scotland.
The earliest records show a variety of spellings, including Gow, Gowe, Gowen, Gowan, Gowin, and the diminutives Gowlett, Gowans, and Gowanson. A number of these variations are associated with patronymic forms such as MacGowan and McGowan, which literally mean “son of the smith.” Although the surname is occupational in nature, it is not among the most frequent in Scotland; the name Smith remains far more common, particularly in the county of Aberdeen.
Historical accounts record individuals bearing the name across the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. In 1578, Alexander Gowansoun was executed in Dundee; the contemporary record does not disclose the offence. In 1595, Michael Gow was arrested in Perth for raiding. An Agnes Gowlett was christened at Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, in 1621, and a Colin Gowin of Tiree was denounced as a rebel in 1695. These entries illustrate that the name circulated throughout both Scotland and England during the early modern period.
In terms of clan association, members of the Gow family are sometimes regarded as part of Clan Chattan, though the precise rationale has not been established. In the Highlands, the style MacGowan and its variants are also linked to Clan Smith, one of Scotland’s oldest clans, and in the Lowlands the name aligns with the nomenclature of Clan MacGillivray. The spread of the surname beyond Scotland accelerated during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as Scottish settlers, many of them from the Highlands, emigrated to Ireland, America, Canada, and Australia during the Highland Clearances and other migrations. Today, bearers of the name can be found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, with a higher concentration still retained in Scotland.
While the meaning of gobha links the surname to the trade of blacksmithing, the historical significance extends beyond a simple occupational label. Blacksmiths were essential to medieval communities, providing tools, swords, and armour, as well as skills that encompassed farrier work. Consequently, the name Gow carries an implicit prestige, reflecting a heritage of craft and technical expertise that was highly valued in Scottish society.
Typical given names associated with the Gow surname
Male
- Alan
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Neil
- Robert
- William
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Anne
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jean
- Jennifer
- Laura
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Susan
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 Gow in...
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There are approximately 3,184 people named Gow in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,845th most common surname in Britain. Around 49 in a million people in Britain are named Gow.
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
Famous people named Gow
- Ian Gow - Conservative MP killed by an IRA bomb (1937 to 1990)
- Michael Gow - Army general (1924 to 2013)
- Alan Gow - Football player
- Jennie Gow - Broadcaster
- A. S. F. Gow - Classical scholar (1886 to 1978)
- Ronald Gow - Writer (1897 to 1993)
- Gary Gow - Scottish football player
- Mary Gow - Artist (1851 to 1929)
- Peter Gow - Canadian politician (1818 to 1886)
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.