- Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland
The name Bowman is another word for the occupational “archer.” Or in other words, “a fighting man armed with a bow; one who made bows.” [1] It is a fairly “common name on the English border under the Percys, and derived from their weapon-the long bow.” [2] At one time, “Bowman was the name of a Border Clan of Northumberland.” [3]
Early Origins of the Bowman family
The surname Bowman was first found in Westmorland where one of the earliest records of the family was Adam Bogheman was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1223. A few years later in Northumberland, Thomas Bouman was found in the Assize Rolls for 1279. In Cheshire, Nicholas the Bowemon, the Bouman was recorded in the Assize Rolls for 1286-1287. [4]
Just over the northern border of Northumberland in Scotland, Gregory Bovman rendered to Exchequer the accounts of the Sheriff of Aberdeen in 1328 and appears as Gregory dictus Bowman in an inquisition in Aberdeen in 1333. “Gyb Bowman in Aberdeen was charged with being a forestaller in 1402. Robert Bowman, a follower of the earl of Cassilis, was respited for murder in 1526. The surname is common in the West Coast, and is found in Glasgow so early as 1550 (Protocols, I), and in Stirling in 1592.” [5]
Early History of the Bowman family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowman research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1723, 1500, 1621, 1704, 1660, 1733, 1784, 1677, 1679 and are included under the topic Early Bowman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bowman Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Bowman, Boeman, Boyman, Boman and others.
Early Notables of the Bowman family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir Robert Bowman of Northumberland; Seymour Bowman (c. 1621-1704), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Old Sarum in 1660; and John Bowman (1733-1784), Virginia and Kentucky soldier and official. Henry Bowman published at Oxford in 1677 a thin folio… Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bowman World Ranking
In the United States, the name Bowman is the 248th most popular surname with an estimated 106,941 people with that name. [6] However, in Canada, the name Bowman is ranked the 771st most popular surname with an estimated 6,956 people with that name. [7] And in Australia, the name Bowman is the 413rd popular surname with an estimated 8,963 people with that name. [8] New Zealand ranks Bowman as 793rd with 918 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Bowman as 586th with 11,134 people. [10]
Migration of the Bowman family to Ireland
Some of the Bowman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
