The surname "Owen" is of Welsh origin. It comes from the Old Welsh personal name "Owein", which means "young warrior". This name was borne by several important figures in Welsh history, including Prince Owain Gwynedd and Owain Lawgoch (Owain the Long-Haired), a 14th-century prince who led numerous military campaigns against the English. The name became common in England during the Norman Conquest when Welsh settlers brought it with them, and it has since spread throughout the English-speaking world due to migration and cultural exchange.
The surname Owen is of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh personal name Owain, which means "born to" or "descendant of a young warrior." The name Owain is derived from the elements 'ow' meaning "youth" and 'ain' meaning "fitting, suitable." This surname was borne by several prominent figures in Welsh history, including the medieval king Owain Gwynedd. Over time, the name has become anglicized to Owen, and it is now a common surname not only in Wales but also in other English-speaking countries due to immigration and migration.
The surname Owen is predominantly found in Wales, with the highest concentrations in counties such as Anglesey, Gwynedd, and Ceredigion, reflecting its Welsh origin. Historically, the name was also common among Welsh settlers in England, particularly in regions like West Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and Herefordshire, due to their migration from Wales during medieval times. The influence of Welsh immigrants can be seen in the dispersal of the surname Owen across England. Additionally, due to historical events such as the Industrial Revolution and emigration waves, Owens are also found in significant numbers in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Notably, there is a town named Owen Sound in Ontario, Canada, which was founded by Welsh settlers in the 19th century.
The surname Owen has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time and across regions. Some common variations include Owens, Owain, Owein, Ouwen, Ouen, Uwen, and O'Even. These alterations may have occurred as a result of geographical or cultural influences. For instance, the Welsh form of the name is often spelled Owain or Owen with an accent on the first syllable (Owáin), while the English version typically has the emphasis on the second syllable (Ōən). Additionally, the addition of a preposition such as Mac or O' before the name signifies Irish or Scottish heritage. These variations highlight the diverse origins and historical migrations associated with the last name Owen.
Notable individuals with the surname Owen include:
1. Michael Faraday Owen (1791-1867), an English chemist and physicist who made significant contributions to electrochemistry and electromagnetism, known for his discoveries of benzene, diamagnetism, and the laws of electrolysis.
2. Dwight David Eisenhower Owen (1890-1975), an American general and statesman who served as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II and as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, known for his leadership during the D-Day invasion.
3. Steve Owen (born 1951), an English former football player who played as a midfielder for several English clubs including Manchester United and Stoke City. He later managed several teams, most notably Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea.
4. Ricky Owen (born 1970), better known by his stage name Kate Nash, is an English singer-songwriter who gained popularity in the mid-2000s with her debut album "Made of Bricks."
5. J. D. Salinger (1919-2010), born as Jerome David Salinger, was an American writer best known for his novel "The Catcher in the Rye," a classic coming-of-age story that continues to be widely read and taught.
The surname Owen is of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh personal name Owein or Yvain, which means "born of yew trees" or "hawklike." The name was borne by several notable figures in Welsh history, including King Owain Gwynedd (c. 1100-1170) and Owain Lawgoch (1359-1409), the 'Red Hand of Wales.' The surname spread to England during the Middle Ages as a result of Norman conquest and Anglo-Norman settlement in Wales. Over time, variations such as Owenes, Owens, and Owainson emerged. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many people with the surname Owen emigrated from Wales to North America, particularly to Ireland, England, Scotland, and the United States. Notable individuals bearing the name include poet Henry Vaughan (1621-1695) and American politician Daniel Webster Owen (1836-1904).
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > owe
The surname "Owe" has English origins, derived from the Old English word "Ow(e)", meaning a water or riverbank. This could have originally been a topographic name for someone who l...
surnames > oweada
The surname "Oweada" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "awad" which means "return" or "restitution". The name likely originated as a surname for someone who w...
surnames > oweas
The last name "Oweas" has origins in Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse name "Ófeigr," which means "wild, frenzied." This name likely originated as a nickname for someone ex...
surnames > oweida
The surname "Oweida" is of Arabic origin, specifically from the Levant region in the Middle East. It is a common surname in countries such as Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. The name...
surnames > oweis
The last name Oweis is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The name is believed to be derived fr...
surnames > oweleke
The surname Oweleke is of Yoruba origin from Nigeria. It is a common surname among the Yoruba people in Nigeria and may be derived from a personal name or attribute.
surnames > ower
The surname Ower is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "ouer," which means "bank" or "hill." The name may have been used to describe someone who lived ne...
surnames > owesh
The last name "Owesh" originates from Arabic. It is derived from the Arabic word "awash" which means "living."
surnames > owete
The last name Owete is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Edo language spoken in southern Nigeria. It is believed to be a variant of the Igbo surname Oweh, which means "he/s...