McGowan is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicization of the Irish Mac Gabhann & Scottish surname Mac Gobhann. Belonging to the Uí Echach Cobo, located in modern-day County Down, Northern Ireland, they produced several over-kings of Ulaid. By the late 12th century, the English had expelled the McGowans to Tír Chonaill in modern-day County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.
