Surname Owain - Meaning and Origin
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Owain: What does the surname Owain mean?
The last name Owain is of Welsh origin. There are several possible meanings for the name Owain, including “born of yew” or “noble youth”. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old Welsh name Uudene, which was based on the Welsh words og (“yew”) and dyn (“strong”).
The name Owain is associated with the Welsh hero of the same name who was a knight renowned for his martial skills. Many of his heroic deeds are recalled in the Welsh medieval poem Y Gododdin. According to legend, Owain defeated an invading Viking army and led the Welsh people to victory. Owain is remembered as one of the most important figures in Welsh history and culture.
The name Owain has also been adopted as a given name in many countries outside of Wales. It may have been chosen as a way of honouring a Welsh ancestor or as a name that has strong links to Welsh culture and heritage.
Overall, the name Owain is seen as a symbol of honour, strength and courage. It signifies the legacy of the great Welsh hero who helped ensure victory in a perilous time. Despite its ancient origin, the name still holds great significance for those of Welsh descent and transcends time and language as an important part of Welsh heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisOwain: Where does the name Owain come from?
The surname Owain is historically associated with Wales and is thought to be of Welsh and possibly Irish origin as well. Today, the name Owain can be found mainly in Wales, England and Ireland as well as across other parts of the United Kingdom including Scotland. However, in recent years, the surname Owain has been gaining in popularity across the world and is now being found in a number of countries including Australia, the USA, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.
The name Owain derives from the Welsh given name Owain or Yvain, which itself is believed to be derived from the Latin name ‘Eugenius’, meaning ‘noble’ or ‘well-born’. Historically, Owain was adopted as a surname by many of the descendants of the Celtic chieftain Owain ab Urien, who was a 7th-century Welsh military leader under King Urien of Rheged and a grandson of the king of Powys.
The name Owain can also be found in Ireland and is thought to have been brought to the Irish shores by settlers from the British Isles during the medieval period. It is thought that the name Owain may have been occasionally used interchangeably in some parts of Ireland with the other common Irish surname ‘Egan’ and ‘O’Hagan’.
The name Owain is also found in other parts of the world due to its popularity in the British Isles and Irish emigration over the centuries. In regions such as the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you might even see variations of the name, including Owen, Owyn and even Ewin.
Variations of the surname Owain
The surname Owain is derived from the Welsh given name Owain (realized as Owein, Ywein, or Ywain in Latin texts). The surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, primarily in Wales and Southern England.
Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Owain include: Owen, Owens, Owin, Owins, Owyn, Owyn, Owyns, Ywain, Ywein, Yowen, Yowin, Yowins, Yown, Yowns.
In Wales, the surname Owain could also be spelled Owaine, Owenes, Owyn, Owynes and Owynnes.
Some surnames of the same origin and of similar pronunciation include: Owan, Owanne, Owance, Uwain, Uwaine, Uwens, Uwyn, Uwynes, Uwynnes, Uwon, Uwons and Uwun.
In Scotland, the name Owain can be rendered as Owaine, Owines, Owinesse, Owne, Ownes, Ownesse, and Owysse. In Ireland, the variants Yowns, Yownse, Yowness, Ystones and even O’Yowns could be used.
Many of these variants have now virtually died out, but many families can trace their names back to Welsh origin.
Famous people with the name Owain
- Owain Arthur: Welsh Actor
- Owain Yeoman: British Actor
- Owain Doull: British Professional Racing Cyclist
- Owain Glyndŵr: Welsh Revolutionary leader
- Owain Tudur Jones: Welsh International footballer
- Owain Fon Williams: Welsh Professional footballer
- Owain Fôn Williams: Musician and Choir Leader
- Owain Rees: Welsh Composer and Pianist
- Owain Hughes: Footballer for Welsh League
- Owain Walbyoff: Public Health Official and Director of Leadership Programs in Canada