GOWDY
Gowdy
Gowdy is a Scottish and Northern Irish surname of medieval origins, derived from the Old Gaelic name "MacGoudie," meaning "son of Goudie." The name is mostly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim and Down.
Origin and Meaning
The surname Gowdy originated as a patronymic name, denoting descent from a man named Goudie. The personal name "Goudie" is believed to be derived from the Old French word "goude" or "goud," meaning "merry" or "jolly." Over time, variations in spelling have emerged, such as Goudie, Gowdie, and Goudy, but "Gowdy" has become the most prevalent modern form of the surname.
Distribution and Variants
Gowdy is most commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a notable concentration in the Ulster region. Variants of the name include Goudie, Gowdy, Gowdie, and Goudy, among others.
Notable Individuals
- Andrew Gowdy (1797–1880): A Scottish merchant and philanthropist known for his contributions to education and social welfare.
- Eleanor Gowdy (1923–2015): An influential Northern Irish artist renowned for her innovative use of ceramics.
- William MacGillivray Gowdy (190910–1996): A prominent Scottish biologist and ornithologist who made significant contributions to the study of avian species.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A dictionary of English surnames.
- Black, G. F. (1946). The surnames of Scotland: Their origin, meaning, and history.
The surname Gowdy continues to be cherished by many families in Scotland and Northern Ireland, serving as a lasting link to their rich heritage and ancestral roots.
There are approximately 271 people named Gowdy in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Gowdy.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Edward
- James
- John
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Michael
- Norman
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Anne
- Claire
- Edith
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gillian
- Gladys
- Linda
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
Similar and related surnames
- Caday
- Caddey
- Caddy
- Cadey
- Cady
- Caity
- Catey
- Cattey
- Catty
- Caty
- Caudey
- Caudy
- Cauty
- Cawdy
- Coadey
- Coady
- Coday
- Coddy
- Codey
- Cody
- Coedy
- Coody
- Coodye
- Cootey
- Cooty
- Cottey
- Cottoy
- Cotty
- Coty
- Coudy
- Couty
- Cowdey
- Cowdy
- Cudahy
- Cuddey
- Cuddihy
- Cuddy
- Cudey
- Cudy
- Cutty
- Gadday
- Gaddey
- Gaddy
- Gadoya
- Gady
- Gaiety
- Gaity
- Gatey
- Gattey
- Gatty
- Gaty
- Gaudie
- Gaudy
- Ghidey
- Goady
- Goattey
- Goddey
- Goddy
- Godey
- Godoy
- Gody
- Goety
- Good
- Gooday
- Goodday
- Gooddey
- Gooddie
- Gooddy
- Goodey
- Goodie
- Goodis
- Goody
- Goodye
- Goodyie
- Goodyn
- Gooty
- Gotay
- Goud
- Goudey
- Goudie
- Goudis
- Goudy
- Gouty
- Gowd
- Gowda
- Gowdey
- Gowdie
- Gowdin
- Guddy
- Guity
- Gutty
- Kaday
- Kaddy
- Kadey
- Kadiye
- Kadiyo
- Kady
- Kadye
- Katay
- Kataya
- Katey
- Katiyo
- Katty
- Katya
- Keady
- Keattey
- Keaty
- Keddey
- Keddy
- Kedey
- Kediye
- Kedy
- Keedy
- Kettey
- Ketty
- Kety
- Kiddey
- Kiddy
- Kidiya
- Kidy
- Kitay
- Kitaya
- Kittay
- Kittey
- Kitty
- Kody
- Kotey
- Kotoye
- Kuday
- Kutay
- Kuteyi
- Kutty
- Kuty
- Quaddy
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.