Gow

Gaelic Name: Mac s’Ghobhainn

Clan Crest: A cat sejant, Proper

Clan Motto: Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove

Origin of Name: Occupational, from Gaelic ‘gobha’, a smith

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Gow Clan History

It is well known that the name Smith is so common in the English-speaking world because it was given to so many tradespeople. In Gaelic Scotland, the blacksmith was known as Gobha, which gave rise to the name Gow, and'son of the smith' was Mac gobhann, which gave rise to the name MacGowan. With every clan requiring the skills of a blacksmith, or more precisely, an armourer, the names Gow and MacGowan spread throughout the country.

The most prominent Highland family of Gows is thought to have grown up with the MacPhersons, who were part of the Clan Chattan confederation. The Gows and MacPhersons are linked by the Battle of the North Inch of Perth in 1396, when Henry Wynd, known as 'the crooked smith,' is said to have joined the fighting on the MacPherson side.

The Gows were primarily found in the areas surrounding Inverness and Perth. Neil Gow was born in the Perthshire town of Inver, near Dunkeld, in 1727, and became so popular that he acquired his own tartan, distinct from the family tartan, thanks in part to Sir Henry Raeburn's portraits.

He began playing the violin at the age of nine and quickly gained the patronage of the Duke of Atholl and moved around in noble circles. His well-known strathspeys and reels earned him the title "Prince of Scottish Fiddlers." Neil had five sons, the youngest of whom, Nathaniel, inherited all of his father's abilities. He led a band that was sought after by the wealthy and powerful across Britain after receiving training from his father and spending time in Edinburgh. Neil Gow and Son published three volumes of their compositions together, simply titled 'Neil Gow and Son'.

A clan MacGowan is thought to have settled in Nithsdale as early as the 1100s. The MacGowan surname spread more widely and sparsely across Scotland than the Gows, with populations gradually increasing in Stirling, Fife, Glasgow, and all the way down to Dumfries.

Gow Places & People

Sir Henry Raeburn painted a portrait of famous 18th century fiddler Niel Gow.

Gow, Niel (1727-1807).

Gow was born in Strathbran, Ross & Cromarty, with the intention of weaving tartan, but his passion for playing the fiddle was unstoppable. He became a professional player with the help of both Stewart of Grandtully and the Duke of Atholl. His performances in London and Edinburgh were hugely successful, as were the musical manuscripts for his original works.

Today, his own work is more highly regarded than his interpretations.

Nathaniel Gow (1763-1831)

Perhaps it was because his father was a good teacher, or perhaps it was genetic, but the oldest of Niel Gow's sons, Nathaniel, became another significant contributor to Scottish fiddle music.

Nathaniel had the opportunity to learn composition from Joseph Reinagle because of the environment his father had risen to. From 1791 to 1822, he led the orchestra of the Edinburgh Assembly, performing for George IV during his visit to the city.

Publishing his own and his father's work propelled him to the top of the market at the time.

Gow Tartans

Gow Tartan

Gow Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Gow Crest

Crest Description: A sejant cat, Proper

Coats of Arms of Gow:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.