This started as a project for my daughter and has now been passed down to my  grandchildren so that they may know where their families came from. I wish to thank  all that have helped me with this project. There is still a long way to go.

The Meaning of the Gowan Name.....
 When Gowan was first used as a surname among the ancient Scottish people, It was a name for a metal worker.
 The Gowan or smith of a Highland clan was held in high estimation.  His skill in the manufacture of military weapons was usually  united with great dexterity in using them, and with the strength of body  which his profession required.
 The Gowan usually ranked as third officer in the chief's household. First  found in Inverness-shire, where the name is from the Gaelic "Govha" meaning blacksmith,and  as such could have been the name applied to people throughout scotland.                           However in the case of the Clans, eventually the name became attributed to a specfic area or  region.                                                                                             The clan was also located in Nithsfield in the 12th Century and recored as a border clan.                                                                                                                                        Meaning of The BURKS SURNAME
 The surname is one of the Anglo-norman names that came to Ireland in the 12th Century,              The surname Burks is derived from the Old English word "BURH" which is from the old german  word "BURG".                                                                                         It seams likely that the first family to bear this surname would have lived in or near a  prehistoric fort situated on a hill.                                                              First Found in the County Galway, where they had been granted lands by Strongbow, Earl Of Pembrook,  for their assistance in the invasion of Ireland in 1172.