Show ContentsBowlen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In its ancient Gaelic form, the Irish name Bowlen was written Ó Beollain, formed from a Norse personal name. 1

Early Origins of the Bowlen family

The surname Bowlen was first found in counties Clare and Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat.

Early History of the Bowlen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowlen research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the year 1014 is included under the topic Early Bowlen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowlen Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages a name was spelt by scribes solely based on how it sounded, one's name could have been recorded many different ways during the life of its bearer. Numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Bowlen family name. Variations found include Boland, Bolan, Boland, O'Boland, O'Bolan, Bolend, Bolen, Bolland, Bollan, Bollend, Bollen, Bowland, Bowlan, Bowlin, Boulland, Bollander, Bolander, Bollinder, Bolinder, Bollendar, Bolendar, Bollandar, Bowlander, Boulander, Bouland and many more.

Early Notables of the Bowlen family

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

Migration of the Bowlen family

Many Irish families boarded ships bound for North America in the middle of 19th century to escape the conditions of poverty and racial discrimination at that time. Although these immigrants often arrived in a destitute state, they went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. An inquiry into many immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants to North America bearing the Bowlen family name: James Boland who arrived in New England in 1764; Dominic, Francis, James, and John Boland, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Jeremiah Boland arrived in Quebec, Canada, in 1825.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bowlen (post 1700) +

  • Patrick Dennis Bowlen (1944-2019), American Hall of Fame sports executive, majority owner of the Denver Broncos


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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