Bowes
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bowes
Historical Forms
- Castelli de Bogis 1172 P
- Boghas 1175–85 Leon22d
- Boues 12 VCHi.42 1228 Pat 1237 Cl 1267 Ch
- Boghes 12 VCHi.42 1333 YD
- Bohes 1295 Ch
- Bouys 1241 Ch
- Bogues 1267 Ch
- Bowes 1283 Rich
- Boughes 1327 Banco 1347 FF 1367 ForP
Etymology
This name is from OE boga or ON bogr 'bow,' and its meaning is 'the river-bends.' Cf. the Norw p.n.'s Bogen , Boger (NG i. 81, ii. 41 etc.). When Bowes is used as a surname in medieval deeds it is often translated as D 'arc or de arcubus (Lat arcus 'a bow, anything arched or curved').