Bownes Surname

The Origins of the Surname 'Bownes'

The surname 'Bownes' has a long and interesting history, with roots in various countries around the world. The name is most commonly found in England, where it has an incidence of 499. It is also present in the United States (386), South Africa (199), Canada (128), Northern Ireland (82), Ireland (17), Australia (16), Scotland (12), New Zealand (12), Jersey (10), United Arab Emirates (2), Thailand (2), and Zimbabwe (1).

England

In England, the surname 'Bownes' is thought to have originated as a variation of the name 'Bowen', which itself comes from the Welsh name 'ap Owen', meaning 'son of Owen'. The name likely evolved over time to become 'Bownes', and is most commonly found in the north of England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name 'Bownes' in England is in the Domesday Book of 1086. Here, a man named Leuuinus Bownes is listed as a landowner in Yorkshire. This suggests that the name has been present in England for over a thousand years.

United States

In the United States, the surname 'Bownes' is less common than in England, but still has a significant presence with an incidence of 386. The name is thought to have been brought to America by English immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries.

One notable bearer of the name in the United States was John Bowne, a Quaker who played a key role in the establishment of religious freedom in the American colonies. Bowne faced persecution for his beliefs in the 17th century, but his actions ultimately helped to shape the principles of religious tolerance in America.

South Africa

In South Africa, the surname 'Bownes' is most commonly found among English settlers who arrived in the country during the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is associated with various professions, including farming, mining, and trade.

Notable individuals with the surname 'Bownes' in South Africa include Edward Bownes, a prominent farmer in the Western Cape, and Sarah Bownes, a successful businesswoman in Johannesburg. The name has become well-established in South African society, with many Bownes families still residing in the country today.

Canada

In Canada, the surname 'Bownes' is found primarily in the province of Ontario, where it is associated with early English immigrants to the region. The name has been present in Canada since the 18th century, and has since spread to other parts of the country.

One famous Canadian with the surname 'Bownes' was Joseph Bownes, a politician and businessman who played a key role in the development of Ontario's transportation infrastructure. Bownes was instrumental in the construction of roads and railways in the region, and his legacy is still evident in Ontario today.

Conclusion

The surname 'Bownes' has a rich and varied history, with origins in England and a presence in countries around the world. From its early beginnings in the Domesday Book to its spread across continents, the name has played a significant role in shaping the identities of individuals and communities. Whether in England, the United States, South Africa, or Canada, the surname 'Bownes' continues to be a testament to the enduring legacy of family and heritage.

The surname Bownes in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same takes place in the case of Bownes, which as you can corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that may be found in all of the countries of this globe. Just as there are nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Bownes is greater than in other countries.

The map of the Bownes surname

1. England (499)
2. United States (386)
3. South Africa (199)
4. Canada (128)
5. Nothern Ireland (82)
6. Ireland (17)
7. Australia (16)
8. Scotland (12)
9. New Zealand (12)
10. Jersey (10)
11. United Arab Emirates (2)
12. Thailand (2)
13. Zimbabwe (1)