Bowron History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The distinguished surname Bowron emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Occupational surnames were derived from the common trades of the medieval era. The surname Bowron is an occupational name for a chamber-servant. The surname Bowron is derived from buring, which is a derivative of the Old English word bur, which means cottage, chamber, or bower. 1 The name may also be a local surname applied to someone who lived at such a cottage or chamber.

Alternatively, it could have originated in Beaurain, near Cambrai, Flanders as Wybert de Beaurain was later listed occurs in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1198) in Normandy. 2

Occasionally, Bowron is a patronymic surname derived from the Flemish personal name Beauring.

Early Origins of the Bowron family

The surname Bowron was first found in Somerset where Walter Bowryng is considered to be one of the first records of the family. He was listed there as holding lands 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III.) 3

Another source notes another early record of the family in Cheshire, Henry Bourying as holding lands there in 1302. The same source notes Walter Bowryng in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327. 4 This could indeed be the same as the aforementioned.

In Devon, "Bowringsleigh was the property and residence of the ancient family of Bowring." 5 It is noted that the family were lords of the manor from about 1330 to the early sixteenth century. By example, Thomas Bowring (c.1440-1504), the English-born lawyer and judge who was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland held an estate near West Alvington, Devon and also acquired lands in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Like many Newfoundlanders from Devon, the famed Benjamin Bowring (1788-1846) moved to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1811 and founded Bowring Brothers Ltd. (Bowring) which later became one of the most prestigious group of Canadian retail stores.

Early History of the Bowron family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowron research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1327, 1516, 1778 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Bowron History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowron Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Bowering, Bowring, Bawering, Bawring, Bowerin, Bowrin, Boweren, Bowerring, Bourring and many more.

Early Notables of the Bowron family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowron Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowron migration to the United States +

An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bowron arrived in North America very early:

Bowron Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

B. Bowron, aged 34, originally from Glasgow, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Anchoria" from Glasgow via Moville 6

Bowron Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Maude Bowron, aged 40, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
William Bowron, aged 25, originally from Kent, England, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 6
Edward Bowron, aged 48, originally from Waddon, England, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
John Henry Bowron, aged 33, originally from Sutton, London, England, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 6
Lilllian Roden Bowron, aged 41, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "America" from Cherbourg, France 6

Bowron migration to Australia +

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

Bowron Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Bowron who was convicted in Clerkenwell, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 10th November 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Bowron (post 1700) +

Joseph Bowron (1809-1868), American politician, Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1848-1849)
Fletcher Bowron (1887-1968), American lawyer, judge and politician, 35th Mayor of Los Angeles (1938-1953), the longest-serving mayor to date in the city
Sara Bowron (d. 2000), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wyoming, 1948 8
Joseph Bowron, American politician, U.S. Consul in Cartagena, 1905 8
Frank Bowron, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wyoming, 1948 (alternate), 1952; Candidate for Secretary of State of Wyoming, 1960 8
Francis Lester Bowron, American Republican politician, Member of Wyoming State House of Representatives 8
Mr. James Arthur Bowron B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Cricket in County Antrim 9
Mike Bowron QPM, British Chief Officer of States of Jersey Police, former Commissioner of the City of London Police (2006-2011)

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cadet/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1