Contents [hide]

Bower History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Bower History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland

The historical and enchanting region of Austria is the birthplace of the distinguished family name Bower. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Otto I defeated the Magyars in 955. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Bower family

The surname Bower was first found in Austria and Bavaria, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Bower family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bower research. Another 218 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1538, 1761, 1781, 1786, 1803, 1809, 1846, 1859 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Bower History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bower Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Bower include Bauer, Baur, Bauerr, Bauerre, Bower, Boerema, Bohr, Burr and many more.

Early Notables of the Bower family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Bower were Bruno Bauer (1809-1882), who was a controversial German theologian, historian, and student of Hegel. Ludwig Amandus Bauer (1803-1846)...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bower Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bower Ranking

In the United States, the name Bower is the 1,383^rd most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 1

Bower migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Bower were

Bower Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry Bower who settled in Virginia in 1637
Richard Bower, who arrived in Maryland in 1664 2
Samuel Bower, who landed in Maryland in 1668 2
Mary Bower, who landed in Maryland in 1678 2
Robert Bower, who settled in Virginia in 1698

Bower Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Bower, who landed in Virginia in 1706 2
Martin Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Susanna Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Barbara Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Helena Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bower Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adam Frederick Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 2
Thomas I Bower, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 2
Johann Ludwig Bower, aged 5, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 2
Christiana Bower, aged 28, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1805 2
Christina Bower, aged 3, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bower migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bower Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Bower, "Adam" U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 3
Mr. Adam Bower U.E. who settled in Ernestown, Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1783 3
Mr. Adam Bower U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh, Cataraqui township, [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1783 3
Mr. Adam Bower U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 3
Mr. Gasher Bower U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh, Cataraqui township, [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1783 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bower Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

David Bower, who landed in Canada in 1820

Bower migration to Australia +

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

Bower Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mary Bower, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Winchester" in 1838 4
Thomas Bower, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Winchester" in 1838 4
Jane Bower, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 5
Thomas Wilson Bower, English convict from Cheshire, who was transported aboard the "Anna Maria" on March 6, 1848, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 6
J. Bower, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John Woodall" in 1849 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bower 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:

Bower Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Bower, aged 28, a gardener, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
Jean Bower, aged 22, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
Mr. David Bower, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Philip Laing" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 15th April 1848 8
Mrs. Bower, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Philip Laing" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 15th April 1848 8
Mr. Adam Bower, (b. 1821), aged 36, British stonemason travelling from London aboard the ship "Roehampton" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th March 1858 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bower (post 1700) +

John William "Johnny" Bower (1924-2017), born John William Kiszkan, Canadian hockey goaltender, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history
E. S. Bower, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1912 9
E. G. Bower, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1876 9
E. C. Bower, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1876 9
David Bower, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Tompkins County, 1839 9
Clark M. Bower, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1924 9
Charles C. Bower, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana 13th District, 1900 9
C. O. Bower, American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Calhoun County, 1955-56; Defeated, 1962 9
Burney E. Bower, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1932 9
Andrew P. Bower, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1900, 1904 9
... (Another 36 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bower family +

Flight 191

E Bower (d. 1979), American passenger from Newport Beach, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 10

Flight TWA 800

Mr. Jordon Michael Bower (1979-1996), from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA, American student from Montoursville flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; he died in the crash 11

HMS Hood

Mr. Ronald Bower (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Marlpool, Derbyshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 12
Mr. Reginald P Bower (b. 1923), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Westbourne, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 12

HMS Repulse

Mr. Frank Bower, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 13

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WINCHESTER 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Winchester.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WILLIAM NICOL. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840WilliamNichol.htm
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anna Maria voyage to Van Diemen's Land or Port Phillip, Australia in 1848 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anna-maria/1848
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN WOODALL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849JohnWoodall.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html