Bowdern History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Bowdern

What does the name Bowdern mean?

The surname Bowdern is probably derived from the Norman toponymic name de Boderan from the place name in County Wexford.

Early Origins of the Bowdern family

The surname Bowdern was first found in Dublin (Irish: Áth Cliath) located on the east coast of Ireland in the province of Leinster, in the judiciary rolls of 1297 and 1299 which mention one William Boudran. There is a legend among one branch of the family that the name descends from a Swiss baker named Nicholas Bowdren, who was shipwrecked near Dungarvan in 1650. However, only a few years later, the name Bowdran was documented as being so numerous in County Waterford in a census of 1659, that it was classified as one of the principal Irish names.

Early History of the Bowdern family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowdern research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1601, 1659 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Bowdern History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowdern Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bowdern, Bowdren, Bowdran, Boudran, Budran and others.

Early Notables of the Bowdern family

More information is included under the topic Early Bowdern Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bowdern family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Bowdren, who was naturalized in Indiana between 1846 and 1850.

Contemporary Notables of the name Bowdern (post 1700) +

Father William Bowdern (1897-1983), American Catholic priest from St. Louis, whose act of exorcism of a demon from a young boy is the topic of a book and two movies