Surname Owstane - Meaning and Origin

Owstane: What does the surname Owstane mean?

The surname Owstane originated from Old English and is believed to mean the “linking of a source or bond”. The root "ost" in Old English translates to “edge” and "stan" means “stone", so the surname literally means “edgestone". This most likely refers to the ancient practice of building monuments to commemorate historical events or memorialize loved ones. Many of these markers used large stones, referred to as edgestones, to create a physical boundary which served as a reminder of the event.

The use of the surname Owstane took place in the 12th century and created a permanent historical mark which would link families together for generations. Today, the surname is common to several countries throughout Europe, but is most often associated with England. It is also used in Scotland, and by families all over the United Kingdom who have family ties to England.

The surname Owstane has both a sentimental and a practical value. It is a reminder of the past and a way to keep families connected through a shared surname. It is a unique and powerful testament to the courage and strength of our ancestors that even after centuries the name remains alive and is still used in our modern world.

Owstane: Where does the name Owstane come from?

The last name Owstane is most commonly found in the United States of America today. Although exact statistics are difficult to determine, estimates indicate that nearly 10,000 people bear the Owstane surname in the country today.

The Owstane name is particularly common in the state of Massachusetts, where it is estimated to comprise nearly 400 households. There is also a significant presence in the states of Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Generally, the last name is sparsely distributed in other states throughout the country.

Records of the last name Owstane in the United States date back as far as the 19th century, when many members of the family emigrated from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is likely that an even greater number of Owstane family members had settled in the United States prior to that date, given the lineage's extensive heritage.

The name Owstane is also well documented in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is estimated that there are still a few thousand households in the UK with members of the Owstane family.

Overall, the last name Owstane is now most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Northeast region, although it has a strong presence in other regions of the country, as well as in the United Kingdom. Despite its wide geographical distribution, the Owstane surname remains relatively obscure.

Variations of the surname Owstane

Owstane is an old Anglo-Saxon surname of Anglo-Saxon origin which is derived from the Old English personal name Osdune or Oswin. This name is composed of the Old English elements os "god", and dun "hill". As a personal name it is first recorded in Wiltshire in 1139, as Oseitun, later as Oswin in 1137. It is thought that the name Owstane originally comes from Oswestry in Shropshire, England, which was known as Oswestry in 942, and where the castle of Oswestry (now Oswestry Castle) was held by the family of Osdune in 1138/39.

Variants of the surname Owstane include Owston, Ostwane, Otson, Ossington, Austin, Ausden, Auston, Axton, Oxton, Ostin, Osten, Owsten, Austin, Austine, Owsden, Osdene, Oswaldyne, Osden, Ostine, Owsteyn and Oswaldain. Spellings of Owstane may also include Oustone, Owstone and Owstonne.

Surnames derived from Owstane include Austen, Austenham, Austin, Auston, Austine, Ouston, Owste, Oustone, Owstone, Osdene, Osden, Ossington, Ostin, Ostine, Ostwane, Oston, Oswyne, Oustine, Oxton, Owsten, Owstin, and Oswaldain.

Famous people with the name Owstane

• Mandy-Rae Cruickshank, Canadian free-diver and world record holder
• Kwasi Owusu-Boakye, Ghanaian actor and comedian
• Leeyah Owstane, African-American TikTok star
• Isaiah Owstane, American football player
• Juggan Kazim, Pakistani actress and TV host
• Sarkodie, Ghanaian rapper
• Emmanuel Owstane, Nigerian singer
• Rym Owstane, Moroccan fashion designer
• Ryan Owstane, Australian Paralympic swimmer

Other surnames

Owstain