Owen (name)
Encyclopedia
Owen is an anglicized variant of the Welsh
name Owain, and may appear as both a personal name
and as a surname
(with or without the s as in Owens [son of Owen] ). Owen is cognate with Eugene
meaning noble-born. The name corresponds with Irish
"Eoghan
". An alternate but less likely origin of the name is with the Celtic name "Esugenos", meaning "engendered of Esos". However scholar Dr. Rachel Bromwich
notes that Owein is usually latinized as "Eugenius", "[I]t seems most natural to regard both the Welsh and Irish forms as derivations of the Latin," T.J. Morgan cites Bromwich as commenting. Variants of the name Owen and Owain include "Ewein, Iguein, Owein, Ouein, Ywein, Ywain
, Yuein, and Yvain". Owen has also been latinized as "Oenus" and as "Audoenus", which has evolved into another variant Audoen
. Patronymic
s include "Bowen" (from "[a]b Owain") and Owens.
The names "Ednywein, Ednowain, Ednywain, Ednywen" are associated with Owain, and "appears to be a name constructed by a reshuffle of the naming elements, i.e. taking 'Edn'- from 'Ednyfed' and putting it before 'Owain'".
Fictional
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
name Owain, and may appear as both a personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
and as a surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
(with or without the s as in Owens [son of Owen] ). Owen is cognate with Eugene
Eugene (given name)
Eugene is a common first name that comes from the Greek εὐγενής , "noble", literally "well-born". Gene is a common shortened form...
meaning noble-born. The name corresponds with Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
"Eoghan
Eógan (given name)
Éogan or Eógan is an early Irish male name, which also has the hypocoristic and diminutive form Eóganán and Eóghainin. In more modern forms of Irish it is written as Eóghan or Eoghan. The name is often associated with the Greek name Eugenes, meaning noble born. Etymologyist disagree as to the...
". An alternate but less likely origin of the name is with the Celtic name "Esugenos", meaning "engendered of Esos". However scholar Dr. Rachel Bromwich
Rachel Bromwich
Rachel Bromwich was a British scholar. Her focus was on medieval Welsh literature, and was Emeritus Reader in Celtic Languages and Literature at the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge until her death...
notes that Owein is usually latinized as "Eugenius", "[I]t seems most natural to regard both the Welsh and Irish forms as derivations of the Latin," T.J. Morgan cites Bromwich as commenting. Variants of the name Owen and Owain include "Ewein, Iguein, Owein, Ouein, Ywein, Ywain
Ywain
Sir Ywain is a Knight of the Round Table and the son of King Urien in Arthurian legend...
, Yuein, and Yvain". Owen has also been latinized as "Oenus" and as "Audoenus", which has evolved into another variant Audoen
Audoen
Audoen was a medieval Bishop of Évreux in Normandy. He was the son of Anger, a canon of London, and brother of Thurstan, the Archbishop of York. Audoen served as bishop from 1113 to 1139.-References:...
. Patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
s include "Bowen" (from "[a]b Owain") and Owens.
The names "Ednywein, Ednowain, Ednywain, Ednywen" are associated with Owain, and "appears to be a name constructed by a reshuffle of the naming elements, i.e. taking 'Edn'- from 'Ednyfed' and putting it before 'Owain'".
Surname
- Gethin Morgan-Owen (1879–1960), Welsh soldier and army administrator in India
- Hugh Morgan-Owen (1882–1953), Welsh international footballer
- Morgan Morgan-Owen (1877–1950), Welsh international footballer
- Bill Owen (actor) (1914–1999), English actor, father of Tom Owen
- Cliff OwenCliff OwenCliff Owen, was a British film and TV director best known for his comedy The Wrong Arm of the Law which starred Peter Sellers; he also directed two of the three films celebrated double act Morecambe and Wise made in the mid 1960s, and the big screen version of the classic BBC sitcom Steptoe and...
(1919–1993), British TV and film director - Clive OwenClive OwenClive Owen is an English actor, who has worked on television, stage and film. He first gained recognition in the United Kingdom for portraying the lead in the ITV series Chancer from 1990 to 1991...
(born 1964), English actor - Daniel OwenDaniel OwenDaniel Owen was a Welsh novelist, generally regarded as the foremost Welsh-language novelist of the 19th century.-Early life:...
(1836–1895), Welsh novelist - Dicky OwenDicky OwenDicky Owen was a Welsh international scrum-half who played club rugby for Swansea RFC Owen is seen as one of the greatest Welsh scrum-halves and won 35 caps for Wales between 1901 and 1912, a record that was unbeaten until 1955 when Ken Jones surpassed him.-Influence in rugby:Born Richard Morgan...
(1876–1932), Welsh international rugby union player - Elias Owen (Welsh cleric)Elias Owen (Welsh cleric)Rev. Elias Owen was a Welsh cleric and antiquarian whose works include The Old Stone Crosses of the Vale of Clwyd, 1886 and Welsh Folk-Lore, 1896.-Family:...
(1883–1899), Welsh cleric and antiquary - Elias Owen (footballer) (1863–1888), Welsh international footballer
- Evelyn OwenEvelyn OwenEvelyn Ernest Owen was the Australian who developed the Owen Submachine Gun which was used in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.-Early life:Evelyn Owen was born on 15 May 1915 in Wollongong, New South Wales...
(1915–1949), Australian designer of the Owen Sub-Machine Gun - Gareth Owen (footballer born 1971)Gareth Owen (footballer born 1971)Gareth Owen is a Welsh footballer, who played as a midfielder for various English and Welsh clubs between 1989 and 2011. He is now Head Coach at Airbus UK.-Career:...
, Welsh footballer - Gareth Owen (footballer born 1982), Welsh footballer
- Gilberto OwenGilberto OwenGilberto Owen Estrada was a Mexican poet and diplomat.- Biography :Officially registered as Gilberto Estrada, son of Margarita Estrada from Michoacán, Gilberto Owen was born in Rosario, Sinaloa...
(1904–1952), Mexican poet - Gordon OwenGordon OwenGordon Owen is an English former professional footballer.-Career:A much travelled player, Owen began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, featuring in the clubs promotion winning season under Jack Charlton in 1979-80...
(born 1959), English footballer - Greg OwenGreg OwenGregory Clive Owen is an English professional golfer.Owen was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. He turned professional in 1992 and gained his European Tour card at the 1997 qualifying school...
(born 1972), English golfer - Gwilym Ellis Lane OwenGwilym Ellis Lane OwenGwilym Ellis Lane Owen was a Welsh philosopher, concerned with the history of Ancient Greek philosophy. From 1973 until his death he was the fourth Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Cambridge...
(1922–1982), Welsh philosopher - Henry OwenHenry OwenThe Reverend Dr. Henry Owen was a Welsh theologian and Biblical scholar. Perhaps his most significant contribution to biblical scholarship is his discussion of the date of publication and the form and manner of the composition of the four canonical gospel accounts...
(1716–1795), Welsh theologian - Huw Parri OwenHuw OwenHuw Parri Owen was a Welsh theologian, writer and academic.-Life:Owen was born on 30 December 1926 in Cardiff and was educated at Cardiff High School and Jesus College, Oxford, where he studied Literae Humaniores and Theology...
(1926–1996), Welsh theologian, writer and academic - Ian OwenIan OwenIan Owen is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club.Owen played in the 1966 senior premiership side for Echuca East, three premiership sides at Richmond and in three senior premiership teams for Port Melbourne in the...
(born 1948), former Australian rules footballer - Jimmy OwenJimmy OwenJimmy Owen was an English footballer for Port Vale and Stoke during the 1880s.-Playing career:Owen probably joined Port Vale in 1884. His debut for the club came on 18 October 1884 in a home friendly with Aston Villa "A", which Vale won 2-0...
(1864–??), English footballer - John OwenJohn OwenJohn Owen may refer to:*John Owen , dramatist and director*John Owen , Bishop of St David's, Principal of St David's College, Lampeter...
, several people, including:- John Robert Blayney OwenJohn Robert Blayney OwenJohn Robert Blayney Owen was the head teacher at Trent College, who earlier in his life was a promising footballer who made one appearance for England in 1874.-Football career:...
(1849–1921), English footballer - John Owen (North Carolina politician) (1787–1841), Governor of North Carolina
- John Owen (theologian)John Owen (theologian)John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford.-Early life:...
(1616–1683), English Nonconformist theologian - Johnny OwenJohnny OwenJohnny Owen was a professional boxer from Wales. His fragile appearance earned him many epithets, including ‘the Bionic Bantam’ and ‘the Merthyr Matchstick’. During his brief career, he held the Bantamweight Championships of Great Britain and Europe and became the first ever Welsh holder of the...
, Welsh boxer
- John Robert Blayney Owen
- Kai OwenKai OwenKai Owen is a Welsh actor of stage and screen, known to Welsh audiences for his numerous roles on Welsh-language television and to worldwide audiences for his portrayal of Rhys Williams in Torchwood....
(born 1975), Welsh actor - Lloyd OwenLloyd OwenLloyd Owen is a British actor of Welsh descent. Trained at the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he is probably best known for his portrayal of Indiana Jones's father Professor Dr. Henry Jones, Sr...
(born 1966), British actor - Malcolm Owen (1955–1980), lead singer of The RutsThe RutsThe Ruts were a reggae-influenced British punk rock band, notable for the 1979 Top 10 hit "Babylon's Burning", and an earlier single "In a Rut", which was not a hit but was much played and highly regarded by the UK BBC Radio 1 disc jockey, John Peel.-Career:...
- Mark OwenMark OwenMark Anthony Patrick Owen , is an English singer-songwriter. He is a member of pop band Take That. The band were hugely successful during the 1990s and have enjoyed even more success since their reunion in 2005...
(born 1972), English musician and member of Take That - Michael OwenMichael OwenMichael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
(born 1979), English footballer - Michael Owen (rugby player)Michael Owen (rugby player)Michael Owen , was educated at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive school in Beddau and was a Welsh rugby union player. He played for Saracens at club level and Wales internationally, having previously represented Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League. Owen, who is , most often played Number 8, but...
(born 1980), Welsh rugby player - Nick OwenNick OwenNicholas "Nick" Corbishley Owen is an English television presenter and newsreader, best known for presenting the breakfast television programme TV-am and the BBC's local news show Midlands Today since 1997...
(born 1947), English television presenter and newsreader - Nora OwenNora OwenNora Owen , is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. She was a Teachta Dála for Dublin North from 1981 to 1987 and from 1989 to 2002. She also served as Minister for Justice from 1994 to 1997.-Early life:...
(born 1945), Irish politician - Orville Ward OwenOrville Ward OwenDr. Orville Ward Owen was an American physician, and exponent of the Baconian theory of Shakespearean authorship. Owen claimed to have discovered hidden messages contained in the works of Shakespeare/Bacon. He deciphered these using a device he invented called a "cipher wheel"...
(1854–1924), American physician and Baconian - Priscilla OwenPriscilla OwenPriscilla Richman Owen is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She was previously a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court.-Early life:...
(born 1954), American judge on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, who was filibustered in the Senate - Randy OwenRandy OwenRandy Owen is an American country music artist. He is known primarily for his role as the lead singer of Alabama, a country rock band which saw considerable mainstream success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Although Alabama only records new albums on occasion, Owen himself has maintained a career...
(born 1949), American country musician - Ray OwenRay OwenRaymond "Ray" Owen was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, and chairman of the 1980s, who at club level played for Widnes, and Wakefield Trinity, playing at /, i.e. number 7, at club level was chairman for Widnes....
(1941–2006), English rugby league footballer - Richard OwenRichard OwenSir Richard Owen, FRS KCB was an English biologist, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist.Owen is probably best remembered today for coining the word Dinosauria and for his outspoken opposition to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection...
(1804–1892), English biologist - Robert OwenRobert OwenRobert Owen was a Welsh social reformer and one of the founders of utopian socialism and the cooperative movement.Owen's philosophy was based on three intellectual pillars:...
(1771–1858), a Welsh social reformer, considered the "Father" of the cooperative movement - Roger OwenRoger OwenEdward Roger Owen is a British historian who has authored several classic works on the history of the modern Middle East. His research interests include the economic history of the Middle East, especially Egypt, from 1800 to the present, as well as the political and socioeconomic history of the...
(born 1935), British historian - Ruth Bryan OwenRuth Bryan OwenRuth Bryan Owen was the daughter of William Jennings Bryan and mother of Helen Rudd Brown. A Democrat, in 1929 she became Florida’s first woman representative in the United States Congress, coming from Florida’s 4th district. Representative Owen was also the first woman to earn a spot on the...
(1885–1954), member of Congress and U.S. ambassador - Sandy Owen (born 1952), American composer/pianist
- Scott OwenScott OwenScott Bradley Owen plays the double bass in the Australian rock band The Living End. After playing the piano for many years, he decided that the keys would not work for a rockabilly band, so at age 17 he purchased and taught himself double bass, letting him play rockabilly with best friend and...
(born 1975), double bass player for Australian rock band The Living End - Sid OwenSid OwenSid Owen is an English actor, television presenter and former singer, most famous for playing the role of Ricky Butcher in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, which he appeared in from 1988 until 2000, 2002 until 2004 and then again from March 2008.-Career:Prior to his role in EastEnders he had a...
(born 1972), English actor - Siobhan OwenSiobhan OwenSiobhan Owen is a soprano and harpist from Adelaide, Australia. Owen was born on 4 October 1993 in North Wales and lived in the small Anglesey village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch before moving to Australia with her family in November 1995. Owen regularly performs...
(born 1993), Australian harpist - Susan OwenSusan OwenSusan Owen is an American operatic soprano. Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree from East Carolina University in 1980 and a Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1983. In 1990 she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions...
, English orthodontic technician and Orthodontic Technicians Association council member - Syd OwenSyd OwenSydney William Owen was an English footballer and football coach.Owen was born in Birmingham. He made 388 first-team appearances for Luton Town. In 1959 he was the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and led Luton Town to the FA Cup Final...
(1927–1999), English footballer - Tom Owen (actor) (born 1949), English actor; son of Bill Owen
- Tudor Owen (born 1951), British Judge
- Walter C. OwenWalter C. OwenWalter Cecil Owen was a Wisconsin jurist and politician.Born in Trenton, Wisconsin, Owen received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. He seved in the Wisconsin State Senate and was Wisconsin Attorney General for three terms. In 1918, Owen was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court...
(1868–1934), American judge - Wilfred OwenWilfred OwenWilfred Edward Salter Owen MC was an English poet and soldier, one of the leading poets of the First World War...
(1893–1918), British World War I poet - William Fitzwilliam OwenWilliam Fitzwilliam OwenVice Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen , was a British naval officer and explorer. He is best known for his exploration of the west and east African coasts, discovery of the Seaflower Channel off the coast of Sumatra and for surveying the Canadian Great Lakes...
(1774-1857), British naval officer, hydrographer and explorer. - William Owen (judge) (1899–1972), Australian judge
- William Pierce Owen (1860–1937), Welsh international footballer
- Several Owen BaronetciesOwen BaronetsThere have been two Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Owen, one in the Baronetage of England and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom....
Given name
- Owen 'Alik ShahadahOwen 'Alik ShahadahOwen 'Alik Shahadah is a director, African writer, and scholar. He is best known for authoring works, which deal with African history, social justice, environmental issues, education and world peace...
(born 1973), filmmaker and African academic - Owen AspinallOwen AspinallOwen Stuart Aspinall was an American attorney and politician who served as the 45th Governor of American Samoa from August 1, 1967, to July 31, 1969. He was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, to longtime United States Representative Wayne N. Aspinall...
(1927–1997), 45th Governor of American Samoa - Owen AstrachanOwen AstrachanOwen Astrachan is Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Duke University where he is also the department's director of undergraduate studies...
(born 1956), Duke University computer scientist - Owen BradleyOwen BradleyOwen Bradley was an American record producer who, along with Chet Atkins and Bob Ferguson, was one of the chief architects of the 1950s and 1960s Nashville sound in country music and rockabilly.-Before the fame:...
(1915–1998), American country music producer - Owen CoyleOwen CoyleOwen Columba Coyle is a Scottish-born Irish international former professional player and professional association football manager . He is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers....
(born 1966), Scottish-born Irish professional football player and current manager of Bolton Wanderers F.C. - Owen DavisOwen DavisOwen Gould Davis, Sr. was an American dramatist. He received the 1923 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his 1923 play Icebound, and penned hundreds of plays and scripts for radio and film. Before the First World War, he also wrote racy sketches of New York high jinks and low life for the Police Gazette...
(1874–1956), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright - Owen GarvanOwen GarvanOwen Garvan is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Crystal Palace and the Republic of Ireland U21s. He previously played for the Irish schoolboy team Home Farm, before moving to England to join Ipswich Town...
(born 1988), Irish footballer - Owain GlyndŵrOwain GlyndwrOwain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...
(c. 1359 – c. 1416), Welsh patriot, last Welsh Prince of Wales - Owen HargreavesOwen HargreavesOwen Lee Hargreaves is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester City and the English national football team....
(born 1981), Canadian-born English footballer - Owen HartOwen HartOwen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
(1965–1999), Canadian professional wrestler - Owen Kelly (born 1977), Australian race car driver
- Owen NolanOwen NolanOwen Liam Nolan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is currently a free agent. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild before signing with...
(born 1972), Northern Irish hockey player in the NHL - Owen SchmittOwen Schmitt-Seattle Seahawks:Schmitt was drafted in the fifth round in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was the second Mountaineer selected in the draft, behind Steve Slaton in the third round to the Houston Texans. Schmitt signed a four-year $1.87 million contract that included a $158,000...
(born 1985), American football player - Owen I of Strathclyde, King of Strathclyde
- Owen TudorOwen TudorSir Owen Meredith Tudor was a Welsh soldier and courtier, descended from a daughter of the Welsh prince Rhys ap Gruffudd, "Lord Rhys". However, Owen Tudor is particularly remembered for his role in founding England's Tudor dynasty – including his relationship with, and probable secret marriage to,...
(c. 1400–1461), Welsh ancestor of the Tudor dynasty - Owen Von RichterOwen Von RichterOwen Von Richter is a retired male medley swimmer from Canada, who competed for his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia...
(born 1975), Canadian medley swimmer - Owen WilsonOwen WilsonOwen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor and writer, known for his roles in the films The Haunting, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, Bottle Rocket, the Cars series, The Darjeeling Limited, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, Shanghai Noon,...
(born 1968), American actor - Owen WisterOwen WisterOwen Wister was an American writer and "father" of western fiction.-Early life:Owen Wister was born on July 14, 1860, in Germantown, a well-known neighborhood in the northwestern part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Owen Jones Wister, was a wealthy physician, one of a long line of...
(1860–1938), American author - Owen PallettOwen PallettMichael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
(born 1979), Canadian songwriter and winner of the inaugural Polaris Music Prize.
Fictional
- Owen HuntOwen HuntOwen Hunt is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Kevin McKidd. He was introduced in season five as a US Army trauma surgeon who served in war-torn Iraq, and consequently joins Seattle Grace to teach medicine as a surgical attending, sometimes with...
, character in Grey's Anatomy - Owen HarperOwen HarperOwen Harper is a fictional character played by Burn Gorman, and a regular in the BBC television series Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character last appeared onscreen in the Series 2 finale, "Exit Wounds"....
, protagonist in the television series Torchwood - Owen Lars, character in the fictional Star Wars universe, "uncle" of Luke Skywalker
- Owen Lift, played by Danny DeVito, one of the main characters in the 1987 movie Throw Momma from the TrainThrow Momma from the TrainThrow Momma from the Train is a 1987 American black comedy film. It was inspired by the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller Strangers on a Train, which also plays a role in the film...
- Owen Milligan, character in the Degrassi series
- Owen Paris, character in the fictional Star Trek universe
- Owen, character of Total Drama IslandTotal Drama IslandTotal Drama Island is a Canadian animated television series which lampoons the conventions commonly found in reality shows. The show and its sequel seasons are collectively referred to as the Total Drama series. It premiered on the Canadian cable television specialty channel Teletoon on July 8, 2007...
- Owen Marshall: Counselor at LawOwen Marshall: Counselor at LawOwen Marshall, Counselor at Law is an American legal drama, jointly created by David Victor and former law professor Jerry McNeely, that starred actor Arthur Hill. The series was broadcast on ABC from 1971 to 1974...
, American legal television drama, and its title character - Owen Meany, title character in John Irving's novel A Prayer For Owen Meany