Surname Owin - Meaning and Origin

Owin: What does the surname Owin mean?

The surname Owin is of Welsh origin and it is a variant of Owen, derived from the Welsh given name Owain. The name Owain itself is understood to be derived from the Latin name Eugenius, which means "well-born" or "noble". Therefore, the surname Owin could be considered to carry the same meaning. It found its roots in the medieval Welsh legend of King Arthur, where Owain was one of Arthur’s knights. Later, it was popularized by Owain Glyndwr, a Welsh ruler in the 14th century who led a fierce and long-running but ultimately unsuccessful revolt against English rule. Given its association with historical nobility, the surname Owin retains a sense of Welsh identity, nobility, and valiance.

Owin: Where does the name Owin come from?

The last name Owin is most commonly found in Norway, where it ranks as the 68th most common surname. It is believed to be of Old Norse origin, derived from the male name Oween.

The name Owin is also common in the United States, where it ranks as the 4,599th most common last name overall. It is most dense in the state of Utah, where it is the 348th most common surname. It is also found in many other states, particularly in the West and Midwest.

In terms of global prevalence, Owin is widespread throughout Northern Europe and North America, though most common in Norway. The name is also seen in small numbers in Swedish, Czech, Slovak, and Belgian populations. Further afield, variants of the surname can also be found in small numbers in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Overall, the last name Owin is primarily associated with Norway and the Northern European region. Its presence in the United States and beyond is a clear legacy of Norwegian migration to the New World during the early 19th century.

Variations of the surname Owin

The surname Owin has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Owin is a surname based on German, Jewish and Slavic roots. Some of the most common variants include Owings, Owens, Ovens, Oyens, and Oyns. It is also seen as Othon, Owonius and Ohan in Germanic countries.

In many cases, the surname Owin can also appear as O’Win or O’Owin—a common Irish iteration of the surname that dates back to the pre-17th century. The prefix “O’” serves to denote a direct descendent or family member of the original name bearer, so names like O’Owin are interchangeable with Owin.

Additionally, names like Owein, Oewin, Owain, Oweyn, Oweyns, Owine and Ounn are seen among Welsh families, while the surnames Oona, Owyn, and Owinare common within Jewish families. Similar spellings like Ovens, Ewens, Owans, Owens, Ewin and Owynes can also be found throughout counties in Britain.

Owin is also a slightly altered spelling of the French surname Auvin, so similar spellings like Aune, de Owin, Awin, Auvins, and Auvirre can be found within French families. As the surname has many different roots and cultural origins, it is important to know the origin and the language of the surname in order to ascertain its meaning.

Famous people with the name Owin

• Colter Owin, Professional Winter Olympic Skier and Aspiring Actor
• Jason Owin, Former English Footballer and Pitch Impersonator
• Rosa Owino, Kenyan Social Media Campaigner and Columnist
• Eddy Owin, Renowned Rock Musician and Composer
• Morgan Owin, American TV Star and Activist
• Vincent Owin, Award Winning Animator and Visual Effects Artist
• Tilaro Owin, International Pop Singer and Songwriter
• Zelda Owin, Famous Voice Over Artist and Radio DJ
• Gail Owin, National Radio Host and Broadcaster
• Peter Owin, Award Winning Filmmaker and YouTube Producer

Other surnames

OwingOwings