Surname Gowder - Meaning and Origin

Gowder: What does the surname Gowder mean?

The surname Gowder is believed to be English in origin. Records of the name dating back to the 13th century indicate that it was most likely a nickname or description of an individual. The Middle English word "gowde," meaning "gold" or "reddish-gold," could have been used to describe a person with fair hair or yellowish skin or someone who was exceptionally wealthy. This nickname was likely adopted as a surname by such an individual or by their descendants.

Although the details of its origin remain uncertain, the Gowder surname is thought to have first appeared in counties of England such as Sussex, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Kent and Suffolk. Over the years, the Gowder surname has earned a reputation for being a rarity. Even in modern times, it is considered quite an uncommon name, particularly in the United States.

Today, many individuals with the name Gowder are found primarily in England, but members of this family can be found in other countries such as New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Those who may carry this surname often take pride in its history, as it serves as a reminder of the individual who it first referred to. No matter where members of this family may be found, the Gowder surname is a reminder of an individual who likely possessed a special quality or characteristic.

Gowder: Where does the name Gowder come from?

The last name Gowder is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern and eastern regions.

Gowder is an uncommon name but is heavily concentrated in some areas. It is particularly common along the eastern seaboard between Virginia and New York, and can also be found heavily in some southern states, such as Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

For the most part, the Gowder name is not prevalent outside of the United States. There are a few occurrences in Jamaica, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but they are sparse.

In terms of its origin, the Gowder name has a Germanic or Old English origin and can be traced back to the 9th century when it was spelled Goerde or Goerther. It is believed to be from a single clan that resided near the forest of Goetersberg.The original settlers were from present-day Germany, but it eventually made its way to America in the late 1800s when many German-Americans moved to the United States.

Today, the last name Gowder is still the same as it was centuries ago; for those who bear the name, it continues to evoke a sense of heritage and pride.

Variations of the surname Gowder

The surname Gowder is an uncommon one, and as such there are not many variants or spellings. The most common variant of the surname is Gowers, which appears to have come about through a shift in pronunciation over the years. Another variant is Gowders, where the 'e' has changed to an 'o'.

The surnames Gowder and Gowder are thought to have derived from an Old Norse word 'Gauardr' which means 'guardian or defender'. This implies that the surname could have been given to a person who had once had a guard or protecting role. This is the most likely origin of the name.

However, some sources suggest that the surname Gowder could actually be of Welsh origin, where the 'G' prefix is dropped and it morphs into the surname 'Owder'. This would fit with the same 'defender' origin and is used widely in Wales today.

When researching the surname, Gowder is often seen spelled as Goader or Goarder, but these are likely to be misread or mistranscriptions of the original surname.

In terms of common surnames with the same origin, there are few, but some examples include Goward, Gowdery and Gowderd, all of which stem from the original spelling of Gowder.

Overall, Gowder is not an especially common surname, and the variants tend to be minor spelling changes or confused spellings. The most likely origin of the name is Old Norse or Welsh, and related surnames are Goward, Gowdery and Gowderd.

Famous people with the name Gowder

• Carolyn Gowder: Actress and Reiki healer
• Robert Gowder: Professional Basketball Player
• Michael Gowder: former United States Congressman from Louisiana
• Aaron Gowder: former American Football Player
• Steven Gowder: poet and author
• Todd R. Gowder: United States Air Force colonel and commander
• Rod Gowder: former NFL player
• Richard E. Gowder: former United States Air Force Brigadier General
• Elizabeth Gowder: entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Leigh Gowder: actor and stuntman

Other surnames

Gowdey