The Scottish name "Gowen" is probably derived from the 
Gaelic word of the same spelling which is interpreted 
"metalsmith."  Very likely the early bearers of the Gowen 
name in Scotland and Ireland were followers of that trade.  
The word was also used to describe other metal workers--
goldsmiths, silversmiths, coppersmiths, tinsmiths and even 
blacksmiths.  It is synonymous with "Smith" in English, 
"Schmidt" in German and "Kovaks" in Polish.

The name was interchangeably spelled Gowen, Gowan, 
Gowin, Gowing, Gowine, Goan, Goen, Goin, Goyn, Goyne, 
Goyen, Gouwen and other even more remote renderings--
sometimes among members of the same family.  Clerks 
frequently added an "s" to the end of the name to give it even 
more variations.  The names "Gowin" and "Gouwen" are said 
to be of German and Dutch origin.
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(*** The text is part of The Gowen Manuscript, and all rights
belong to it's respected owner(s) ***)