Bowen is a Celtic surname representing two separate Celtic ethnicities, the Welsh ab Owain meaning "son of Owen" (Owen meaning 'noble') and the Irish Ó Buadhacháin meaning "descendant of Bohan" (Bohan meaning 'victorious').
[1][2] The Bowen lineage can be traced back to Llwyngwair in the 11th century, near Nevern in Pembrokeshire.
There are seven Bowen crests and the Bowen/Owen family group share a tartan.
[4][5] The Bowen/Bowens surnames are more commonly found in southern Wales, while the Owen/Owens surnames are more commonly found in northern Wales.
[6] This is a list of notable people born with the last name Bowen and people who married into the Bowen family.