Although William Gowin/Gowan had moved to Madison County, KY around 1800, it seems that a tract of land he sold in 1799 to John Crane, which bordered Isaac Wade, was in question. This may be William Gowan Jr. that sold the land and not William Gowan Sr. The original is in a .pdf format that doesn't meet the upload requirements for this blog.
To the worshipful court of Bedford County in chancery sitting honorably came your orator John Crane humbly represents that sometime in 17?? (possibly 1799) your orator purchased a tract of land lying in the County of Bedford to contain 100 acres of William Goan for which your orator was to give 100 pounds and fifty pound was paid down for the ballance. Your orator executed his bond payable at Christmas 1799 on which bond a said has been instituted ?? recovered on the law side of this court ? names of wherein Samson A/s of said Goan to the effects of which the property of your orator is subject which is incquilous? in this. That payments have been made to them on the said bond of 50 pound by your orator and the credit given equity ought to have been done. Further your orator has discovered that a valuable part of the land purchased as affsaid shown to your orator as part is within the lines of the property of Isaac Wade as your orator is informed. Wherefore your orator can only believe himself against the judgement affsaid in chancery. Therefore he prays that William Goan and said Sampson be made Defendent to this Bill and compelled on oath to answer all its allegations. First whether he did not sell to your orator 100 acres of land and containage lying as affsaid, whether therefor your orator was not to give 100 pounds. Whether thereof he did not secure 50 pounds. Whether he did not take a bond for the ballance. Whether he as not on that bond received payments for which he has not extended credits to your orator thow much I'd him set forth. Whether he did not show and sell to your orator land which belongs to Isaac Wade. Whether that circumstance was not known to him, the said Goan on the sale affsaid. Whether it would not be considered and actually be a valuable part of the tract if attached be it as your orator believed it was. Whether the greatest part of said disputed land is not first rate low ground on Island Creek. Thow much I'd him say. And that injunction may ?? to stay ?? for the preecedings on said duty? until the matters can be heard in equity? May 25th 1801. Sworn to in court.
William and Annester Gowin of Lunenburg County and Bedford County, Virginia
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Joseph Gowan/Gowin - 14th Regiment - American Revolution
The American Revolutionary War began in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. The date of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia was July 4, 1776. General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, with the peace treaty being signed in 1783. After the war ended, provisions for benefits to veterans were established, in 1789. Many of the first applications, however, were destroyed by fire in 1800 and again in 1814. 
The 14th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown, South Carolina on May 12, 1780, by the British Army. The regiment was formally disbanded on November 15, 1783.
The 14th Regiment was formed in February 1777. Companies recruited men from Halifax, Pittsylvania, Hanover, Bedford, Albemarle, Fincastle, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Goochland, Louisa, Charlotte and Lunenburg counties. Field officers at Valley Forge were Colonel Charles Lewis, Lt. Colonel Abraham Buford, Major George Stubblefield, and Major Samuel Cabell.
Joseph Gowan/Gowin and his brother, William Gowin/Gowan, Jr., enlisted in Bedford County, VA in the beginning of the year 1777. Joseph was age 17. They served eighteen months of their enlistment and was under the command of Captain George Lambert in the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment. According to acquired muster roles of 20 Dec 1777 and 1 Jan 1778, it appears that their neighbor, Isaac Wade, was assigned to the same unit.
After joining the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment, his unit joined the continental establishment at Fredricksburg and he fought at the Battle of Brandywine, Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. The Fourteenth Virginia Regiment joined the Continental Army at Brandywine, Pennsylvania shortly after the battle fought there September 11, 1777. Under the command of Gen. George Washington, the army engaged the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania on the outskirts of Philadelphia October 4, 1777 and then were forced to withdraw about 40 miles west to Valley Forge. In bitter cold and without adequate supplies and rations, the 14th Virginia suffered throughout the winter. The Virginians were pitched into the ferocious Battle of Monmouth [New Jersey] June 28, 1778 and helped to carry the day against Gen. Howe and the English. It was in this battle that the famous Molly Pitcher took the place of her injured husband, a cannoneer and manned his gun, preventing its capture by the British.
Three days after the Battle of Monmouth, Joseph was honorably discharged. He returned home to Bedford County, VA where he married Judith Pollard, daughter of Francis Pollard and Elizabeth "Betty" Phelps.
The Law of 1818 provided that every indigent person who had served to the war's close, or for nine months or longer, would receive a pension. When the law was rewritten in 1820, many names were removed from the pension rolls because they were not indigent. Joseph Gowin first applied for a pension on 11 Sep 1818 in the circuit court of Madison County, KY where he stated he had fought in the American Revolution at the Battle of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He was listed at age 58 on the application and stated that he had enlisted on or about the 1st day of January 1777 under the command of Capt. George Lambert and had served for 18 months, having been discharged in Monmouth a few days after the battle.
Colonel Buford, former Colonel of the 10th Virginia Regiment provided written testament: I hereby certify that Joseph Gowin now a resident of Madison County of the state of Kentucky enlisted about the beginning of the year 1777 as a private soldier in Capt George Lambert's company, that he joined the 14th Virg Regiment on continental establishment at Fredricksburg early in the Spring of the year following, that he was with said Regiment in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, that he was honorably discharged a few days after said battle at Monmouth, having served eighteen months which appeared to be the time he enlisted for. Given under my hand Scott County Kentucky Sep 7th 1818. A. Buford, late Colonel 10th Virg Regiment
According to court documents, Joseph was to be paid $8 a month to commence on the 11th day of September 1818. More than likely his pension ceased in 1820 because he was not considered to be indigent. He reapplied before the Madison County court on the 5th day of November 1821 to testify that he was a Revolutionary War soldier and the periods of time served, including providing his pension number 10256. His property was listed as owning a horse valued at $20, five cows and one calf the value of $30, and 40 head of hogs valued at $20, for a total of $70.
On 20 Nov 1821, he was again in court and stated that he was a farmer, but from old age disease and a bad knee unable to make a support by said occupation. He stated he had four children living with him, the eldest living with him named Elizabeth aged about 22 years, the second named Polly aged 20 years, the third named Susan aged about 18 years, and the fourth named Jenny aged about 16 or 17 years. He stated that his children are all able to support themselves by their own labor. He has a wife living with him aged about 63 years and very infirm for that age.
Annester Gowin testified that she is the mother of the within named Joseph Gowin and that she knows of him being enlisted in the service of the United States, and for the time mentioned. She is certifying that her son was absent for 18 months more after his enlistment. Charles Perrin said he knew of the above named Joseph Gowin enlisting in the service of the United States and served his time and that the said Joseph was a good soldier an an esteemed man of good character.
Joseph and Judith moved to Howard County, MO around 1820 and left his pension affairs to an attorney in Madison County, KY. At some point Joseph no longer received his pension and in 1823 an inquiry started to determine if the attorney was taking the money an not forwarding it on to Joseph. The attorney was found to be innocent.
The 14th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown, South Carolina on May 12, 1780, by the British Army. The regiment was formally disbanded on November 15, 1783.
The 14th Regiment was formed in February 1777. Companies recruited men from Halifax, Pittsylvania, Hanover, Bedford, Albemarle, Fincastle, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Goochland, Louisa, Charlotte and Lunenburg counties. Field officers at Valley Forge were Colonel Charles Lewis, Lt. Colonel Abraham Buford, Major George Stubblefield, and Major Samuel Cabell.
Joseph Gowan/Gowin and his brother, William Gowin/Gowan, Jr., enlisted in Bedford County, VA in the beginning of the year 1777. Joseph was age 17. They served eighteen months of their enlistment and was under the command of Captain George Lambert in the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment. According to acquired muster roles of 20 Dec 1777 and 1 Jan 1778, it appears that their neighbor, Isaac Wade, was assigned to the same unit.
After joining the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment, his unit joined the continental establishment at Fredricksburg and he fought at the Battle of Brandywine, Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. The Fourteenth Virginia Regiment joined the Continental Army at Brandywine, Pennsylvania shortly after the battle fought there September 11, 1777. Under the command of Gen. George Washington, the army engaged the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania on the outskirts of Philadelphia October 4, 1777 and then were forced to withdraw about 40 miles west to Valley Forge. In bitter cold and without adequate supplies and rations, the 14th Virginia suffered throughout the winter. The Virginians were pitched into the ferocious Battle of Monmouth [New Jersey] June 28, 1778 and helped to carry the day against Gen. Howe and the English. It was in this battle that the famous Molly Pitcher took the place of her injured husband, a cannoneer and manned his gun, preventing its capture by the British.
Three days after the Battle of Monmouth, Joseph was honorably discharged. He returned home to Bedford County, VA where he married Judith Pollard, daughter of Francis Pollard and Elizabeth "Betty" Phelps.
The Law of 1818 provided that every indigent person who had served to the war's close, or for nine months or longer, would receive a pension. When the law was rewritten in 1820, many names were removed from the pension rolls because they were not indigent. Joseph Gowin first applied for a pension on 11 Sep 1818 in the circuit court of Madison County, KY where he stated he had fought in the American Revolution at the Battle of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He was listed at age 58 on the application and stated that he had enlisted on or about the 1st day of January 1777 under the command of Capt. George Lambert and had served for 18 months, having been discharged in Monmouth a few days after the battle.
Colonel Buford, former Colonel of the 10th Virginia Regiment provided written testament: I hereby certify that Joseph Gowin now a resident of Madison County of the state of Kentucky enlisted about the beginning of the year 1777 as a private soldier in Capt George Lambert's company, that he joined the 14th Virg Regiment on continental establishment at Fredricksburg early in the Spring of the year following, that he was with said Regiment in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, that he was honorably discharged a few days after said battle at Monmouth, having served eighteen months which appeared to be the time he enlisted for. Given under my hand Scott County Kentucky Sep 7th 1818. A. Buford, late Colonel 10th Virg Regiment
According to court documents, Joseph was to be paid $8 a month to commence on the 11th day of September 1818. More than likely his pension ceased in 1820 because he was not considered to be indigent. He reapplied before the Madison County court on the 5th day of November 1821 to testify that he was a Revolutionary War soldier and the periods of time served, including providing his pension number 10256. His property was listed as owning a horse valued at $20, five cows and one calf the value of $30, and 40 head of hogs valued at $20, for a total of $70.
On 20 Nov 1821, he was again in court and stated that he was a farmer, but from old age disease and a bad knee unable to make a support by said occupation. He stated he had four children living with him, the eldest living with him named Elizabeth aged about 22 years, the second named Polly aged 20 years, the third named Susan aged about 18 years, and the fourth named Jenny aged about 16 or 17 years. He stated that his children are all able to support themselves by their own labor. He has a wife living with him aged about 63 years and very infirm for that age.
Annester Gowin testified that she is the mother of the within named Joseph Gowin and that she knows of him being enlisted in the service of the United States, and for the time mentioned. She is certifying that her son was absent for 18 months more after his enlistment. Charles Perrin said he knew of the above named Joseph Gowin enlisting in the service of the United States and served his time and that the said Joseph was a good soldier an an esteemed man of good character.
Joseph and Judith moved to Howard County, MO around 1820 and left his pension affairs to an attorney in Madison County, KY. At some point Joseph no longer received his pension and in 1823 an inquiry started to determine if the attorney was taking the money an not forwarding it on to Joseph. The attorney was found to be innocent.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
First "Gowan" Recorded Immigrants
A focus to our search is needed!
In search of “the immigrant” for our family, I have found many that are candidates. Is it possible that our William is the immigrant? It is possible, but probably unlikely since his approximate birth year is 1730, and that it has been difficult to find a William on any ship after 1653. Although our surname has multiple variations of spelling due to the scribers phonetic capabilities of the day, I focused more on the forename and eliminated anyone with a name that wasn’t in any of the family or associated family forenames. Therefore, names like Archibald, etc. were quickly discarded. I have not found any record where our name was modified from Gowin/Gowan to Smith, but that is not to say that it wasn’t interchanged on occasion in the 17th century and before. It was common for many Gaelic names to be modified during that time in an attempt to anglicize their name so that the English would allow them to buy land.
The following is what I have been able to document as immigrants and it includes their recorded surname and port location:
· Thomas Gowen, age 18, 1635, VA
· John Gowin, 1650, VA
· William Gowan, 1650, Boston
· William Gowin, 1653, VA (more on him below)
· Thomas Going, 1671, MD
· Daniel Gowin, 1698, VA
· Daniel Gowin, 1705, VA
· John Goin, 1725, port unknown
· Donald Gowen, 1746/47, NC – Scottish Rebel
The forenames of THOMAS, WILLIAM, and JOHN are very common names in our family and carried through about 4 to 5 generation after the 1730 William in each of his son’s generations. This certainly makes me wonder if any one of those 3 forenames were also our William’s father and grandfathers names.
Of note above, the William Gowin of 1653 was recorded as being brought here by Mr. William Hoccoday (Hockaday), an Englishman of Yorke County, VA on 14 Apr 1653 along with nineteen others. Of interesting note, one of the twenty passengers that Hoccoday brought here happened to be a MacGregor. You may know that the MacGregor clan was on the run during this time period, so he changed his name to gain safe passage! Mr. Hoccoday was awarded 1,000 acres for the transportation of these 20 passengers (50 acres for each). About 70% of these 20 passengers have Scottish Gaelic surnames. More than likely, each of the 20 passengers served an indentured period of time (3-5 years) to repay him for their travel. This would mean that by 1658, most were awarded 50 acres. Some would have sold them and moved out of that area, others would have remained. It is well known that the recorded date may not always be the date of port arrival. On many occassions they would record it during the next legal session or when the person that paid for travel wanted to be paid their 50 acres for each. Sometimes the names were not recorded until a year.
We know that our William and family traveled from Lunenburg/Bedford VA to Madison KY to Johnson MO. That is almost a due west route. With York County, VA nearly due east from Lunenburg/Bedford County, VA, it certainly makes for a good place to start!
In search of “the immigrant” for our family, I have found many that are candidates. Is it possible that our William is the immigrant? It is possible, but probably unlikely since his approximate birth year is 1730, and that it has been difficult to find a William on any ship after 1653. Although our surname has multiple variations of spelling due to the scribers phonetic capabilities of the day, I focused more on the forename and eliminated anyone with a name that wasn’t in any of the family or associated family forenames. Therefore, names like Archibald, etc. were quickly discarded. I have not found any record where our name was modified from Gowin/Gowan to Smith, but that is not to say that it wasn’t interchanged on occasion in the 17th century and before. It was common for many Gaelic names to be modified during that time in an attempt to anglicize their name so that the English would allow them to buy land.
The following is what I have been able to document as immigrants and it includes their recorded surname and port location:
· Thomas Gowen, age 18, 1635, VA
· John Gowin, 1650, VA
· William Gowan, 1650, Boston
· William Gowin, 1653, VA (more on him below)
· Thomas Going, 1671, MD
· Daniel Gowin, 1698, VA
· Daniel Gowin, 1705, VA
· John Goin, 1725, port unknown
· Donald Gowen, 1746/47, NC – Scottish Rebel
The forenames of THOMAS, WILLIAM, and JOHN are very common names in our family and carried through about 4 to 5 generation after the 1730 William in each of his son’s generations. This certainly makes me wonder if any one of those 3 forenames were also our William’s father and grandfathers names.
Of note above, the William Gowin of 1653 was recorded as being brought here by Mr. William Hoccoday (Hockaday), an Englishman of Yorke County, VA on 14 Apr 1653 along with nineteen others. Of interesting note, one of the twenty passengers that Hoccoday brought here happened to be a MacGregor. You may know that the MacGregor clan was on the run during this time period, so he changed his name to gain safe passage! Mr. Hoccoday was awarded 1,000 acres for the transportation of these 20 passengers (50 acres for each). About 70% of these 20 passengers have Scottish Gaelic surnames. More than likely, each of the 20 passengers served an indentured period of time (3-5 years) to repay him for their travel. This would mean that by 1658, most were awarded 50 acres. Some would have sold them and moved out of that area, others would have remained. It is well known that the recorded date may not always be the date of port arrival. On many occassions they would record it during the next legal session or when the person that paid for travel wanted to be paid their 50 acres for each. Sometimes the names were not recorded until a year.
We know that our William and family traveled from Lunenburg/Bedford VA to Madison KY to Johnson MO. That is almost a due west route. With York County, VA nearly due east from Lunenburg/Bedford County, VA, it certainly makes for a good place to start!
Recorded Features of the Gowin Family from Civil War Records
Through research and muster roll documentation from the Civil War, I’ve been able to confirm the features of many of the GOWIN brothers and sons of Pollard Gowin & Mary “Polly” Conner. All three brothers fought with the Union Army.
JOHN CONNER GOWIN (b. 1831):
Unit: Company H, 123rd Infantry Volunteers, Illinois
Mustered: 6 Sep 1862
Age: 31
Rank: Sergeant
Description: 6ft. ½ inch; Light Hair; Blue Eyes; Fair Complexion; Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth: Madison County, KY
City of Muster: Mattoon, IL for 3 years
Residence at time of enlistment: Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois
Mustered out: 28 Jun 1865 in Nashville, TN by Capt Hosea
Mustered out rank: First Sergeant
NOTE: Another document shows he was injured in one of his legs.
WILLIAM MENEFEE GOWIN (b. 1832):
Unit: Company E, 27TH Mounted Infantry, Home Guard Volunteers, Missouri
Unit: Company A, 54th Infantry Volunteers, Illinois (See Note 2)
1st Muster: 4 Aug 1861
2nd Muster: Joined 14 Nov 1861 in Coles County, IL and mustered in on 17 Feb 1862; show in records as ‘reenlisted as veteran’
1st Muster Age: 29
2nd Enlistment Age: 29
Rank: Private
Description (See Note 2): 5ft. 9 inch; Dark Hair, Grey Eyes, Light Complexion, Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth (See Note 2): Madison County, KY
City of 1st Muster: Johnson County, MO for 3 years
City of 2nd Muster: Jonesboro, IL
Residence at time of enlistment at 1st Muster: Johnson County, MO
Mustered out with 27th Mounted Inf: The unit mustered out on 27 Jan 1862
Mustered out with 54th Inf: Unknown
Mustered out rank: Private
NOTE: Captured at the Battle of Lexington on 12 Sep 1861 with the 27th MO Inf.
NOTE 2: I was told by a family member that after being captured, he then went to Illinois and joined Company A, 54th Infantry. The county and information fits, but the name appears as “William W Gowin”.
THOMAS JEFFERSON GOWIN (b. 1841):
Company E, 45th Infantry Regiment Volunteers, Missouri
Enlisted: 10 Aug 1864
Muster: 10 Aug 1864
Age: 23
Rank: Private
Description: 5ft. 9 inch; Dark Hair; Hazel Eyes; Fair Complexion; Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth: Madison County, KY
City of Muster: Warrensburg, MO for 3 years
Residence at time of enlistment: Not mentioned
Mustered out: 6 Mar 1865 in St. Louis, MO
Mustered out rank: Private
NOTE:
JOHN CONNER GOWIN (b. 1831):
Unit: Company H, 123rd Infantry Volunteers, Illinois
Mustered: 6 Sep 1862
Age: 31
Rank: Sergeant
Description: 6ft. ½ inch; Light Hair; Blue Eyes; Fair Complexion; Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth: Madison County, KY
City of Muster: Mattoon, IL for 3 years
Residence at time of enlistment: Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois
Mustered out: 28 Jun 1865 in Nashville, TN by Capt Hosea
Mustered out rank: First Sergeant
NOTE: Another document shows he was injured in one of his legs.
WILLIAM MENEFEE GOWIN (b. 1832):
Unit: Company E, 27TH Mounted Infantry, Home Guard Volunteers, Missouri
Unit: Company A, 54th Infantry Volunteers, Illinois (See Note 2)
1st Muster: 4 Aug 1861
2nd Muster: Joined 14 Nov 1861 in Coles County, IL and mustered in on 17 Feb 1862; show in records as ‘reenlisted as veteran’
1st Muster Age: 29
2nd Enlistment Age: 29
Rank: Private
Description (See Note 2): 5ft. 9 inch; Dark Hair, Grey Eyes, Light Complexion, Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth (See Note 2): Madison County, KY
City of 1st Muster: Johnson County, MO for 3 years
City of 2nd Muster: Jonesboro, IL
Residence at time of enlistment at 1st Muster: Johnson County, MO
Mustered out with 27th Mounted Inf: The unit mustered out on 27 Jan 1862
Mustered out with 54th Inf: Unknown
Mustered out rank: Private
NOTE: Captured at the Battle of Lexington on 12 Sep 1861 with the 27th MO Inf.
NOTE 2: I was told by a family member that after being captured, he then went to Illinois and joined Company A, 54th Infantry. The county and information fits, but the name appears as “William W Gowin”.
THOMAS JEFFERSON GOWIN (b. 1841):
Company E, 45th Infantry Regiment Volunteers, Missouri
Enlisted: 10 Aug 1864
Muster: 10 Aug 1864
Age: 23
Rank: Private
Description: 5ft. 9 inch; Dark Hair; Hazel Eyes; Fair Complexion; Married
Occupation: Farmer
Birth: Madison County, KY
City of Muster: Warrensburg, MO for 3 years
Residence at time of enlistment: Not mentioned
Mustered out: 6 Mar 1865 in St. Louis, MO
Mustered out rank: Private
NOTE:
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Common Surnames in the US (2000 Census) and OUR surname (Gowin/Gowan)
We found William Gowin (Goin/Going/Gowan) living in Lunenburg County, VA in 1752. We still don’t know if he was the immigrant, but he married Anester ? and 258 years later they have a prolific family tree in the United States.
Through diligent written genealogy and the use of DNA, we have confirmed that not everyone with the same surname is related – even using surname variants (see other post on this blog)! This is true even when the overall population of that surname within the U.S. is very small. Through early census takers, we found that siblings would have surname variants from their parents and also from one another. There wasn’t a formal way of writing English adopted in the colonies until after about 1794 when books on English Grammar began circulating and were further taught in the classroom. In some cases, it took another generation before the spelling of a surname was solidified and written the same going forward.
This is certainly true of our own family. The spelling GOWIN was first recorded of William in 1752 although his name was later recorded as GOIN, GOING, GOWING, GOWEN, and GOWAN by those taking census, land records, court documents, etc. In 1810, his family was living in Kentucky as was recorded again as GOWIN. For the most part, it was shortly after this period (sometime before the Civil War) when the family surname remained as GOWIN.
So just how rare is our surname in America? I found an analysis taken from the 2000 U.S. Census that demonstrates just how rare our surname and variants are. According to the 2000 U.S. census the number one name is SMITH followed by JOHNSON, WILLIAMS, BROWN, and JONES. We stack up as follows:
SURNAME / RANK IN U.S. / TOTAL # IN U.S.
GOAN / 56,826 / 336
GOEN / 24,037 / 979
GOENS / 25,945 / 889
GOIN / 10,670 / 2,752
GOINES / 10,123 / 2,929
GOING / 19,618 / 1,272
GOINGS / 8,329 / 3,657
GOINS / 1,498 / 21,872
GOWAN / 10,018 / 2,968
GOWANS / 23,683 / 998
GOWEN / 9,450 / 3,157
GOWENS / 23,167 / 1,028
GOWIN / 15,942 / 1,674
GOWING / 32,743 / 661
GOWINS / 32,302 / 672
TOTAL OF ALL SURNAMES = 45,844
This is out of a total U.S. population in the year 2000 of 281,421,906. I do not have a confirmed relative of our family with any other current surname spelling than GOWIN using DNA or otherwise. By working with other family researchers we have determined that even though our surname and variants are rare, we are not related. DNA has allowed us to differentiate between each of those above.
I have found that the majority of those that do not spell their surname as we do today (GOWIN) are more likely to be distantly related! This is very interesting indeed. I also haven’t been able to find anyone that has a last name of SMITH or McGO__ related to us. Hopefully more males with our surname and variant will continue to test to aid in our research!
Please read the blog "Distribution of Y-DNA Results in our surname" to understand the significance of this analysis.
Through diligent written genealogy and the use of DNA, we have confirmed that not everyone with the same surname is related – even using surname variants (see other post on this blog)! This is true even when the overall population of that surname within the U.S. is very small. Through early census takers, we found that siblings would have surname variants from their parents and also from one another. There wasn’t a formal way of writing English adopted in the colonies until after about 1794 when books on English Grammar began circulating and were further taught in the classroom. In some cases, it took another generation before the spelling of a surname was solidified and written the same going forward.
This is certainly true of our own family. The spelling GOWIN was first recorded of William in 1752 although his name was later recorded as GOIN, GOING, GOWING, GOWEN, and GOWAN by those taking census, land records, court documents, etc. In 1810, his family was living in Kentucky as was recorded again as GOWIN. For the most part, it was shortly after this period (sometime before the Civil War) when the family surname remained as GOWIN.
So just how rare is our surname in America? I found an analysis taken from the 2000 U.S. Census that demonstrates just how rare our surname and variants are. According to the 2000 U.S. census the number one name is SMITH followed by JOHNSON, WILLIAMS, BROWN, and JONES. We stack up as follows:
SURNAME / RANK IN U.S. / TOTAL # IN U.S.
GOAN / 56,826 / 336
GOEN / 24,037 / 979
GOENS / 25,945 / 889
GOIN / 10,670 / 2,752
GOINES / 10,123 / 2,929
GOING / 19,618 / 1,272
GOINGS / 8,329 / 3,657
GOINS / 1,498 / 21,872
GOWAN / 10,018 / 2,968
GOWANS / 23,683 / 998
GOWEN / 9,450 / 3,157
GOWENS / 23,167 / 1,028
GOWIN / 15,942 / 1,674
GOWING / 32,743 / 661
GOWINS / 32,302 / 672
TOTAL OF ALL SURNAMES = 45,844
This is out of a total U.S. population in the year 2000 of 281,421,906. I do not have a confirmed relative of our family with any other current surname spelling than GOWIN using DNA or otherwise. By working with other family researchers we have determined that even though our surname and variants are rare, we are not related. DNA has allowed us to differentiate between each of those above.
I have found that the majority of those that do not spell their surname as we do today (GOWIN) are more likely to be distantly related! This is very interesting indeed. I also haven’t been able to find anyone that has a last name of SMITH or McGO__ related to us. Hopefully more males with our surname and variant will continue to test to aid in our research!
Please read the blog "Distribution of Y-DNA Results in our surname" to understand the significance of this analysis.
Distribution of Y-DNA Results in our surname (Gowin/Gowan)
I realize how difficult it is to migrate through the amount of DNA information available and to come away feeling as if you understand it! Remember, Y-DNA is passed from father to son through all generations with little to no change.
Through research, I have found that those with current spellings other than GOWIN and even GOWAN appear to be more distantly related to my family. This includes those with current GOWEN, GOIN, GOINS, GOAN, GOEN, GOING, GOINGS, etc. surname spellings. The spelling of GOWEN is a bit different from the others in that it does seem to jump around a bit. From these results, there does seem to be a pattern of those that do not have a “W” within the name.
First, a bit of information about the spelling variation of a surname:
GOIN, GOEN, GOAN, GOING, GOYNES – Is known to be more of an English surname, although, there are some recorded with a few of these variants in portions of Northern Ireland. Another variant is GOWING, that includes the ‘w’, but is considered of English origin.
GOWAN, GOWEN, GOWIN, GOW – Are more common spellings of names found in Ireland and Scotland. It is an English version of the Gaelic ‘gobhann’ and ‘gobhainn’ with the ‘bh’ pronounced as a ‘w’. In Ireland it is also found to be preceded by both the O’ and the Mc, while in Scotland the Mc. This is not always the case and in later years a family may drop them from their name or took on the Anglican version of names (including Smith, Smyth, Smythe) to be accepted by the English and make it so they were able to buy land. “Gobhann’ and “Gobhainn” mean smith or blacksmith and it is also a type of daisy. The Gaelic spelling with the Mc was captured as Mac s'Ghobhainn. The Mc and O’ meant “son of” as in: James, son of the smith or James McGowan.
Although our surname changed over time (depending upon the scribe), our Y-DNA results indicate that we were residents of the British Isles (primarily SW Scotland) and having lived there for 8,000 years before finally arriving in the colonies of North America sometime in the 17th or early 18th century. This is probably why the ‘w’ would not leave our name when scribed over time. Most likely, our ancestors in the colonies, and through later generations, spoke the ‘w’ in the name although a few English scribes would still record it as the English version.
I have met many with our surname and those with a ‘w’ argue over the correct pronunciation: is it GOW-in (as in a cow) or GO-win. I can assure you that through my travels to England and Scotland, as well as working with Irish in Scotland, the debate continues even there! Most with our surname preceded by a Mc or Mac in Ireland and Scotland (and usually in America) state it as GOW-in not GO-win. From those that know Gaelic, I have found that it too depends upon the interpreter, although most go with the GOW-in version. I have also found that if there is an "a" instead of an "i" in the name, people pronounce it as GOW-in rather than GO-win. Rather strange, but true.
Now for the Y-DNA results. As I mentioned, these results are nearly conclusive using the small population of participants. From the results, it provides better information about correlation of origin and spelling out of 32 total participants with our surname and variant (including Mc) using Y-DNA results:
Thirteen returned results of haplogroup E1b1a and their surnames were GOIN, GOEN, GOAN, GOING, GOYNES. This Y-DNA is mainly restricted to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it reaches frequency of over 80% in West Africa. Since the Trans-Atlantic slave trade brought a significant number of men to the Americas who carried this haplogroup, it has frequencies of 58%-60% in African Americans. A high degree of participants that currently spell their name this way tend to find distant relatives that were recorded as a person of color, mulatto, melungeon, or believe their relatives to be members of the tri-isolates or of native American heritage.
Eighteen returned results of haplogroup R1b1b2 and haplogroup I2b1a with their surnames GOWAN, GOWEN, GOWIN, GOW (including Mc) and one GOWINS was recorded with a haplogroup of E1b1a. Twelve of these eighteen returned results as haplogroup R1b1b2. Haplogroup R1b1b2 is primarily found with high percentages in the British Isles and medium percentages in Spain and France. Some from R1b1b2 have been found related to Niall of the Nine Hostages, a famous king of Ireland. Six of these eighteen returned results of haplogroup I2b1a. Haplogroup I2b1a is found with a high degree in the British Isles (for over 3,000 years) and it’s highest percentage in SW Scotland for over 1,400 years.
The number of haplogroup R1b1b2 participants increased if you include SMITH and variants of that name.
My Y-DNA, and those known male family members that tested, had a result of haplogroup I2b1a. I conducted further tests as party of a study of this haplogroup and my results helped narrow this subclade to Scotland and determine the timeline and is known as I2b1a1 (M223+, M284+, L126+, L137+, L369+, I-Y4751+).
Therefore, this should further demonstrate that although you may carry the same surname (or variant) doesn’t mean you are related, even if the total number in America is very small! The scribing in early colonial America during English ruling, makes it an increasingly hard challenge when trying to sift through these variants in colonial history (pre- 1800’s) and find our line from those that resided in the same large counties with a variant or similar spelling. The scribes of that period certainly didn’t help us!
What will help, is if more males with these surnames would test. Please encourage your male relatives with these variants to do so, even if a known cousin already has! It’s painless and relatively inexpensive to do and with only 32 participating out of 45,000 it is needed.
Through research, I have found that those with current spellings other than GOWIN and even GOWAN appear to be more distantly related to my family. This includes those with current GOWEN, GOIN, GOINS, GOAN, GOEN, GOING, GOINGS, etc. surname spellings. The spelling of GOWEN is a bit different from the others in that it does seem to jump around a bit. From these results, there does seem to be a pattern of those that do not have a “W” within the name.
First, a bit of information about the spelling variation of a surname:
GOIN, GOEN, GOAN, GOING, GOYNES – Is known to be more of an English surname, although, there are some recorded with a few of these variants in portions of Northern Ireland. Another variant is GOWING, that includes the ‘w’, but is considered of English origin.
GOWAN, GOWEN, GOWIN, GOW – Are more common spellings of names found in Ireland and Scotland. It is an English version of the Gaelic ‘gobhann’ and ‘gobhainn’ with the ‘bh’ pronounced as a ‘w’. In Ireland it is also found to be preceded by both the O’ and the Mc, while in Scotland the Mc. This is not always the case and in later years a family may drop them from their name or took on the Anglican version of names (including Smith, Smyth, Smythe) to be accepted by the English and make it so they were able to buy land. “Gobhann’ and “Gobhainn” mean smith or blacksmith and it is also a type of daisy. The Gaelic spelling with the Mc was captured as Mac s'Ghobhainn. The Mc and O’ meant “son of” as in: James, son of the smith or James McGowan.
Although our surname changed over time (depending upon the scribe), our Y-DNA results indicate that we were residents of the British Isles (primarily SW Scotland) and having lived there for 8,000 years before finally arriving in the colonies of North America sometime in the 17th or early 18th century. This is probably why the ‘w’ would not leave our name when scribed over time. Most likely, our ancestors in the colonies, and through later generations, spoke the ‘w’ in the name although a few English scribes would still record it as the English version.
I have met many with our surname and those with a ‘w’ argue over the correct pronunciation: is it GOW-in (as in a cow) or GO-win. I can assure you that through my travels to England and Scotland, as well as working with Irish in Scotland, the debate continues even there! Most with our surname preceded by a Mc or Mac in Ireland and Scotland (and usually in America) state it as GOW-in not GO-win. From those that know Gaelic, I have found that it too depends upon the interpreter, although most go with the GOW-in version. I have also found that if there is an "a" instead of an "i" in the name, people pronounce it as GOW-in rather than GO-win. Rather strange, but true.
Now for the Y-DNA results. As I mentioned, these results are nearly conclusive using the small population of participants. From the results, it provides better information about correlation of origin and spelling out of 32 total participants with our surname and variant (including Mc) using Y-DNA results:
Thirteen returned results of haplogroup E1b1a and their surnames were GOIN, GOEN, GOAN, GOING, GOYNES. This Y-DNA is mainly restricted to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it reaches frequency of over 80% in West Africa. Since the Trans-Atlantic slave trade brought a significant number of men to the Americas who carried this haplogroup, it has frequencies of 58%-60% in African Americans. A high degree of participants that currently spell their name this way tend to find distant relatives that were recorded as a person of color, mulatto, melungeon, or believe their relatives to be members of the tri-isolates or of native American heritage.
Eighteen returned results of haplogroup R1b1b2 and haplogroup I2b1a with their surnames GOWAN, GOWEN, GOWIN, GOW (including Mc) and one GOWINS was recorded with a haplogroup of E1b1a. Twelve of these eighteen returned results as haplogroup R1b1b2. Haplogroup R1b1b2 is primarily found with high percentages in the British Isles and medium percentages in Spain and France. Some from R1b1b2 have been found related to Niall of the Nine Hostages, a famous king of Ireland. Six of these eighteen returned results of haplogroup I2b1a. Haplogroup I2b1a is found with a high degree in the British Isles (for over 3,000 years) and it’s highest percentage in SW Scotland for over 1,400 years.
The number of haplogroup R1b1b2 participants increased if you include SMITH and variants of that name.
My Y-DNA, and those known male family members that tested, had a result of haplogroup I2b1a. I conducted further tests as party of a study of this haplogroup and my results helped narrow this subclade to Scotland and determine the timeline and is known as I2b1a1 (M223+, M284+, L126+, L137+, L369+, I-Y4751+).
Therefore, this should further demonstrate that although you may carry the same surname (or variant) doesn’t mean you are related, even if the total number in America is very small! The scribing in early colonial America during English ruling, makes it an increasingly hard challenge when trying to sift through these variants in colonial history (pre- 1800’s) and find our line from those that resided in the same large counties with a variant or similar spelling. The scribes of that period certainly didn’t help us!
What will help, is if more males with these surnames would test. Please encourage your male relatives with these variants to do so, even if a known cousin already has! It’s painless and relatively inexpensive to do and with only 32 participating out of 45,000 it is needed.
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