Bowers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The ancient Scottish name Bowers was first used by someone who worked as a maker of bows. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word bower, which means bow maker.

Early Origins of the Bowers family

The surname Bowers was first found in Peeblesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd nam Pùballan), former county in South-central Scotland, in the present day Scottish Borders Council Area, where they held a family seat in the old manor of Bower in the parish of Drummelzier.

One of the first records of the family was "Lorence atte Bure of the county of Peebles, and William Oftherebure of the county of Roxburgh [who] rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296." 1

Early History of the Bowers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowers research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1317, 1387, 1449, 1479, 1489, 1615, 1664, 1671, 1681, 1685, 1686, 1689, 1702, 1705, 1706, 1718 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Bowers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowers Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Bowers has appeared as Bower, Bowre, Bowyr, Bowers, Bowyer, Beauer and many more.

Early Notables of the Bowers family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Bowers World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bowers is the 473rd most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 2 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bowers is ranked the 598th most popular surname with an estimated 77 people with that name. 3 And in the United Kingdom, the name Bowers is the 730th popular surname with an estimated 9,195 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Bowers family to Ireland

Some of the Bowers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Bowers migration to the United States +

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them:

Bowers Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Bowers Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Bowers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bowers migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bowers Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Bowers migration to Australia +

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

Bowers Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bowers migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bowers Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Bowers (post 1700) +


The Bowers Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ad metam
Motto Translation: To the mark.


Suggested Readings for the name Bowers +
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