Surname Owens - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Celtic Ancestry: An Emotional Journey Through iGENEA DNA Testing

Before commencing the iGENEA journey, I only had a basic understanding of my heritage. The DNA test results expanded my perception of family beyond its conventional definition, connecting me to a lineage of Celtic warriors and scholars, an enlightenment that instilled an extraordinary sense of pride and responsibility to carry the Owens name.

S. Owens

Owens: What does the surname Owens mean?

The surname Owens has origins in Wales and is a patronymic name derived from the first name Owen. This name itself comes from the Welsh name Owain, which may have originated from the Latin name Eugenius or the Greek name Eugenios, both meaning "well-born" or "noble." Hence, Owens can be loosely translated to mean "son of Owen" or "son of the noble one." Over time, it has evolved into a popular surname in many English-speaking countries. The "s" in Owens implies "son of," a common feature in Welsh and Irish surnames, indicating the name’s descent. Marriage, migration, and anglicization over centuries have influenced the Owens name's distribution and prevalence, making it a common last name in places beyond its Welsh origin.

Owens: Where does the name Owens come from?

The last name Owens is a common surname in many parts of the world. In the United States, Owens is the 82nd most common surname according to the 2020 U.S. Census. It is most prevalent in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. However, there are large populations of Owens throughout America, as well as in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. In these countries, Owens is usually among the 100 most common surnames.

Studies tracing the origins of the surname Owens indicate that it is most commonly associated with Welsh roots. It came to prominence in the 16th century, derived from the Welsh name Owain or other surnames such as the Gaelic Ó Fialáin. Owens is believed to have become a popular surname throughout the British Isles in the 17th and 18th centuries as families moved in search of employment and new opportunities.

Today, the Owens name extends beyond the British Isles with many families bringing it to new communities around the world. It is most common in English-speaking countries but can also be found throughout Ireland, Canada, Australia, and various other places. New pockets of Owens families have also been established in recent decades as people have travelled or emigrated from one country to another.

Variations of the surname Owens

The surname Owens is an anglicized form of the Welsh "Owain" and is derived from the Old Welsh personal name Ouen. Common spelling variants for Owens include Owenson, Owensonne, Owan, Owans, Owellen, Owenaban, Owenby, Owenne, Owenson, Owensan, Owensby, Owensen, Owensin, Owensone, Owenson, and Owensonne.

Furthermore, patronymic surnames such as Owensohn, Owensmith, and Owenslowe are formed from when a father's given name is used to create a child's surname, as is common in parts of Europe.

In addition, there are numerous variant spellings of Owens that have been adopted by some of its bearers, such as O'Ewens, O'Ewin, Ewin, Evens, Ewen, Ewins, Ewens, Ewinne, Ewynne, Ewinson, Owyan, and Owyns.

The indigenous Welsh form of the surname is Owain, followed by ap Owain, which literally translates to 'the grandson of Owen'. Other forms of the name in Wales include Gough, Bowen, Gwilym, Bowne, and Powys. Forms of the name in England include Bevan, Evens, Bevens, Beavans, Eavins, and Powles.

Finally, variants of Owen, such as Owin, Owan, Owyn, Owings, Owonson, and Andrews, are of Anglo- Saxon origins, meaning making it connected to the Celts, rather than the Welsh.

Famous people with the name Owens

• Terry Owens, former professional American football player
• Isaiah Owens, American singer-songwriter from South Carolina
• Michael Owens, American gospel singer
• Rhema Owens, American Christian recording artist
• Terrell Owens, former professional American football player
• Gary Owens, American actor, comedian, and radio announcer
• Marques Owens, former professional American football player
• Russell Owens, former professional American football player
• Kaeron Owens, former professional American football player
• CJ Owens, American singer
• Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete
• Alonzo Owens, former professional American football player
• Jody Owens, former professional American football player
• Dave Owens, former professional American baseball player
• Butch Owens, former professional American football player
• Roy Owens, former professional American football player
• Ed Owens, former professional American football player
• Adrian Owens, former professional American football player
• Jackie Owens, former professional American football player
• Darryl Owens, former professional American football player

Other surnames

Owen