A surname of English origin, or plural of 'bow' in some dialects; often associated with various place names and institutions.
From Old English boga meaning 'bow' (the weapon or curved shape), possibly indicating someone who made or used bows, or lived near a bend in a river. The surname may also derive from places named Bowes, meaning 'cattle sheds' from Old Norse búðir.
Bowes demonstrates how medieval occupational names created lasting legacies - whether from bow-making or cattle-keeping, this surname now graces everything from museums to corporations. The Bowes Museum in County Durham, one of England's greatest art collections, shows how a family name can become synonymous with cultural preservation across centuries.
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