Show ContentsBownas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bownas family

The surname Bownas was first found in Cumbria (Cumberland) at Bowness, a parish, in the union of Wigton, Cumberland ward. [1] Bowness is also a post-town, in the parish of Windermere, Kendal ward and union, county of Westmorland. [1]

The family was first referenced in the year 1592 when William Bowness held estates in Yorkshire, where the family name had moved from its origin in Westmorland. Bowness, an ancient town on Windermere is famous for its relics including the stained glass in the Church of St. Martin which is identified with the Cartmel Priory in Furness.

Early History of the Bownas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bownas research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1676 and 1753 are included under the topic Early Bownas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bownas Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bowness, Bownass, Bownas, Bonas, Bonass, Boness, Bownys, Bownyss, Bowniss and many more.

Early Notables of the Bownas family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Samuel Bownas (1676-1753), an English Quaker traveling minister and writer who lived in the Lancaster and Dover areas of England. His book 'A Description of the Qualifications Necessary to a Gospel Mi...
  • there was another son about seven years old. Hence Bownas got little education
  • in fact, he could just read and write. Bownas' father had been a persecuted Quaker, who held meetings in his house


Australia Bownas migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bownas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden


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