Bowman Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Bowman last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Bowman last name
Meaning of the Bowman last name: archer. Bowman is an occupational name for an archer, a man who fought with the bow, from Old English boga, "bow". Archers were the backbone of English armies in the Hundred Years' War, and the longbow was the weapon of Crécy and Agincourt. The surname is common in northern England, especially Cumberland and Westmorland, and in the Scottish Borders. In America it often stands for the German Baumann, "farmer". An Act of 1511–12 under Henry VIII required most men under forty to own a bow and arrows and practise shooting.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Bowman name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Bowman name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Bowman pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Bowman coat of arms for you.
Bowman name FAQ
What does the Bowman name mean?
Archer. Common variants include Boman, Bauman, Beaumont.
Where does the Bowman surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Bowman coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Bowman crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Bowman coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.