Surname Gown - Meaning and Origin
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Gown: What does the surname Gown mean?
The last name Gown is believed to have originated in England. It is believed to have originated as a nickname meaning “one who makes or sells cloth garments,” and is derived from the Old English “gofen” which means “to make or provide.” It was likely used to describe a tailor, seamstress, or cloth merchant. Over time, the name was thought to have shifted to “Gown,” possibly due to an association with enriched cloth, such as those used to make ceremonial gowns for upper-class citizens in the medieval era. The last name is also thought to have been adopted by non-English speakers, since a similar surname, “Goum” was found in Germany and France.
Though the last name has changed forms over the centuries, its meaning has stayed primarily the same. It continues to denote one who provides or makes clothing, though the term can also refer to those people who wear gowns. This could indicate a professional affiliation, such as wearing a costume as part of a performance, or that someone is dressed in a formal gown for a special occasion. Thus, the last name Gown can refer to anyone from a tailor to a performer, and everyone in between.
Order DNA origin analysisGown: Where does the name Gown come from?
The last name Gown is most common today in the United Kingdom and surrounding areas, and the Commonwealth of Nations. It is also prevalent to a lesser extent in Germany, Scotland, parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The origin of Gown is an Anglo-Saxon last name, thought to have possibly been derived from either an occupational or locational source. Occupationally, the name may have referred to a worker of cloth, as it is related to the Anglo-Saxon word "gān," which meant "clothing." Alternatively, the name may have been locational, derived from the Old English word "gān," meaning "down" (a hillside).
Today, Gown is still a relatively common last name in many parts of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, with records of hundreds of individuals with that surname in recent years. In the United States, it is more uncommon, although records still show hundreds of individuals with the name in various parts of the country. Aside from the United States, Gown is also fairly common in Canada, Australia, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Gown
The surname Gown has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common of these include Gowan, Goan, Goin, Goen, Gowing, Gowning, and Going. The variants may also be spelled as Gowin, Gowen, Gowing, and Goinge.
Gowan is the most common variant of the surname Gown, and originates from Scotland and Ireland. The spelling of Gowan is often thought to be derived from the Gaelic “Mac Bhogain”, meaning “son of a smith”.
Goan is another variant that also originates from Scotland and Ireland. Goan is derived from the Gaelic “O Gubhain”, which means “from the smithy”.
Goin and Goen are also thought to be variations of the surname Gown. Goin is thought to be derived from the Gaelic “Mac Gabhain”, meaning “son of a smith”, and Goen is thought to be derived from the Gaelic “O Gubhain”, which means “from the smithy”.
Gowing is a variant of the surname Gown that originates in England. The spelling of Gowing may be derived from the Old English “gawin”, which means “smith” or “metalworker”.
Gowning is another variant of the surname Gown, and is most likely derived from the Old English “gwoning”, which means “smith” or “metalworker”.
Going is also thought to be a variant of the surname Gown, and is derived from the Old English “gawing”, which means “smith” or “metalworker”.
In addition to the above-mentioned variants, variants of the surname Gown may also be spelled Goinge and Gowin. Goinge is thought to be derived from the Old English “gawing”, while Gowin is thought to be derived from the Gaelic “Mac Ghobhainn”, meaning “son of a smith”.
Famous people with the name Gown
- Dorothy Gown: American musical theatre performer and director
- Hassan Gown: American professional wrestler
- Mohammed Gown: professional footballer from Lebanon
- Elnaz Gown: Iranian-English actress
- Alec Gown: American country music singer
- Yousif Gown: American make-up artist
- Rehana Gown: Pakistani mountaineer
- Yael Gown: American dancer
- Cory Gown: American martial artist
- Deena Gown: American inventor and entrepreneur