Gowman - Name

This unusual name with variant spelling Goman is derived from the English status name 'yeoman' which in turn originated from the Middle English 'yoman'. This was a term used for an attendant of high rank in a noble household. It appears to have ultimately derived from the Old English pre 7th Century 'geong' meaning young and 'mann' meaning man. In later usage it became a name for an independent free holder. Darytie Gowman married Edmond Coxe on January 8th 1610 in St. Lawrence's, Pountrey, London. On November 4th 1831, Mary Ann Gowman was christened in St. Dunstan, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas le Yoman, which was dated 1381, Subsidy Rolls, Staffordshire, during the reign of King Richard 11, 'Richard of Bordeaux', 1377 - 1399. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.