Derived from the region in Scotland called Moray seaboard settlement. A notable bearer of this surname was General James Murray (1721-1794), who was the first British Governor-General of Canada.
The town of Garryowen was named after the old Irish tune Garry Owen which was one of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer's favorite marching songs. Garry Owen is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the 1800s. it is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song.
Cowan family history also shows that it is possible that the name might be an anglicized form of the old Gaelic names of either MacEoghain or MacEoin, which means son of the well-born..These names were both derived from the Greek name Eugene, meaning well-born or born lucky.Both of these names indicate that there were originally family members who were wealthy or well off. Cowan genealogy includes the alternative spelling Cowen.hese names were both derived from the Greek name Eugene, meaning well-born or born lucky. Both of these names indicate that there were originally family members who were wealthy or well off. Cowan genealogy includes the alternative spelling Cowen.