Clan Gow

also MacGowan, MacGown

Smiths of Clan Chattan — and the Prince of Scottish Fiddlers.

Motto

Touch not the cat bot a glove

What does the Gow name mean?

From the Gaelic 'gobha' — armourer or blacksmith. The son of the smith is 'mac gobhann', anglicised as MacGowan.

The history of Clan Gow

The name Gow comes from the Gaelic 'gobha', meaning armourer or blacksmith. The Gows are part of the Clan Chattan confederation. At the trial-by-combat fought on the North Inch of Perth in 1396, the hero of the day was the 'Gobha Chrom' — the Crooked Smith — said to be small in stature, bandy-legged but fierce.

Neil Gow (1727–1807), the Prince of Scottish Fiddlers, was born at Inver in Perthshire. A born musician, his services were sought at fashionable gatherings throughout Scotland and England.

He was especially celebrated for his reels and strathspeys, and many of his own compositions are still played today.

Notable bearers of the Gow name

Neil Gow, fiddler and composer

Frequently asked

What does the surname Gow mean?

From the Gaelic 'gobha' — armourer or blacksmith. The son of the smith is 'mac gobhann', anglicised as MacGowan.

Where does the Gow family come from?

Clan Gow was historically based in the Perthshire and The Highlands & Islands of Scotland, in particular Atholl & Strathearn and Inverness & the Aird.

What is the Clan Gow motto?

The motto of Clan Gow is "Touch not the cat bot a glove".

Who are some famous Gows?

Notable bearers of the Gow name include Neil Gow, fiddler and composer.

Is MacGowan the same family as Gow?

Yes. MacGowan and MacGown are historical spelling variants of the Gow name. They share the same lineage and clan affiliation.