McGowan is a Gaelic name of the smith — the craftsman who held an honoured place in old Irish society.
Where does the McGowan name come from?
McGowan is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac an Ghabhann, “son of the smith,” from gabha, a smith or metalworker. The smith was a figure of great respect in Gaelic Ireland, and the name is sometimes translated directly into English as Smith, especially in County Cavan.
McGowan in Ireland
The name is associated particularly with Connacht and with County Cavan and the north, where Mac an Ghabhann families were long established. As an old Gaelic name, McGowan appears in several spellings and is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- McGowan comes from the Gaelic Mac an Ghabhann.
- It means “son of the smith.”
- The smith was a respected figure in Gaelic society.
- In Cavan it was often translated as Smith.
- The name is strong in Connacht and the north.
Related Irish family names
You may also like McGrath, McHale, and Barry.
Carry the McGowan name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the McGowan collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is McGowan an Irish surname?
Yes — McGowan is a Gaelic Irish surname, from Mac an Ghabhann, “son of the smith,” found especially in Connacht and Cavan.
What does McGowan mean?
It means “son of the smith,” from gabha, a smith or metalworker.
Is there a McGowan family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our McGowan products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
