Surname Bowerman - Meaning and Origin

Bowerman: What does the surname Bowerman mean?

The last name Bowerman is thought to be derived from the Old English word bovmatha or bovmantha, which means "cowherd" or "keeper of cows." It is a name commonly associated with a job or profession, similar to Smith or Shepherd.

Bowerman could refer to an individual who specifically watched over cows and herded them from one area to another, or managed a certain area of land that was intended for raising cattle or dairy-producing. Cows were especially important during the Middle Ages, as they provided a source of nourishment and a hide for clothing and footwear.

The name Bowerman could also potentially refer to an occupation like that of a glorifier or an alliter. Glorifiers were responsible for singing, chanting, or playing musical instruments during religious ceremonies like festivals and weddings, and alliter would have made stands or bonnets for women.

History has shown that many of those who have held the last name Bowerman have held onto the profession-based meanings behind the name. In more recent times, many professional athletes, including legendary University of Oregon track and field coach, Bill Bowerman, have held the Bowerman name.

The last name Bowerman can be traced back to various locales in England, including Yorkshire, Essex, and Derbyshire. It is said to be an occupational surname that has been part of English history for hundreds of years.

This simple but well-known surname has taken on a variety of meanings throughout the years, from an occupation related to cows to a name that is now synonymous with sports.

Bowerman: Where does the name Bowerman come from?

The last name Bowerman is most commonly found in the United States. In particular, several states have seen significant populations of Bowermans over the past few decades, in particular the states of Oregon, Washington, Illinois, California, and Florida. Of these, Oregon is the most common, hosting the largest Bowerman population by far. The ancestry of most American Bowermans can be traced to Germany, England, and Scotland, where the name originated.

In terms of geographical spread, the name is heavily concentrated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. In Oregon, the most populous city for Bowermans is Portland, although the name also appears in plenty of smaller towns throughout the state. In Washington, Bowermans can be found in both Seattle and Spokane. California has a few small pockets of Bowermans, particularly in the northern part of the state. Illinois boasts the highest Bowerman population numbers in the Midwest, while Florida has seen a recent increase in those carrying the name.

In terms of family origins, most Bowermans can trace their lineage back to Europe. German immigrants were among the first to arrive in the New World bearing the name. Similarly, many of the Bowermans in Scotland were among those who made the trip across the Atlantic during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the name is firmly rooted in American soil, with generations of Bowermans carrying on the family tradition.

Variations of the surname Bowerman

The surname Bowerman (or Bowermann) has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Most commonly, the surname is spelled Bowerman, but it could also appear as Bauerman, Bauermann, Bauserman, Bowery, Boweryman, Bauerman, Bauermann, or Baurmann. This surname is of German and Dutch origin and could have referred to someone who worked in a meadow as a shepherd, ploughman, or cowherd, as the literal translation of the word “Bauer” is “farmer”.

Various spellings of the name have been adopted over time. In medieval Germany the name Bowermann was common and still appears in German today, while in the Netherlands the more popular spelling is Bauwerman. In the United Kingdom, the name is sometimes spelt "Bowery" or "Boweryman".

In addition, there are a few other surnames which share the same origin as Bowerman. These include Balmer, Baumer, Baehmer, and Baumhardt. It is also linked to many Jewish surnames, such as Bawer, Bower, Bowers, Bowersox, Powar, and Pauker.

Overall, the surname Bowerman can take on many forms and can become difficult to trace through genealogical records. Despite this, Bowermans have existed and can be found in many areas around the world today.

Famous people with the name Bowerman

• Bill Bowerman: American track-and-field coach and co-founder of the sportswear company Nike.
• Jon Bowerman: American politician and the son of Bill.
• Suzette Bowerman: American actress and ballet dancer.
• Alan Bowerman: Canadian professor, academic and author in the fields of child psychology and educational psychology.
• Joe Bowerman: Son of Bill, served as Director of the Centre for the Study of Coaches at the University of Oregon.
• Amanda Bowerman: Daughter of Bill, works for Nike.
• Julie Bowerman: Daughter of Bill and wife of Nike Chairman Phil Knight.
• Peter Bowerman: American author and speaker.
• Ashely Bowerman: American television actress.
• Mike Bowerman: American former football coach.
• Samuel Bowerman: Canadian military officer, and former mayor of Vancouver.
• Haywood Bowerman: American former college basketball and golf coach.
• Brooke Bowerman: American actress.
• Blaine Bowerman: American country music singer-songwriter.
• Jack Bowerman: British World War II racecar driver.
• Eric Bowerman: American triple jumper.
• Bob Bowerman: American former college football and basketball coach.
• Pascal Bowerman: Canadian director and actor.
• Max Bowerman: British former footballer.
• Thomas Bowerman: British professional rugby league footballer.

Other surnames

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