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Clan Gow

Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove

Gow comes from the Gaelic gobha, a smith; the genitive form gives Gowan, and Mac a' Ghobhainn gives MacGowan. COSCA lists Gow among the names associated with Clan Macpherson and publishes for it the Macpherson motto, while Electric Scotland records the Gows as traditionally associated with the Mackintoshes and Macphersons of Clan Chattan, and some families with Clan Donald. Tradition derives the name from Henry, a smith who fought at the trial by combat on the North Inch in 1396 and, being bandy-legged, was called 'Gow Chrom'.

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Clan Gow Crest

Clan Gow Crest

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Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration AS86

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration AS86

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions...
From $19.99 USD
$25.99 USD
From $19.99 USD
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Bagpiper Ornament

Gow · (or McGouan)

MacGowan Portrait (Gow Portrait) Modern Tartan Wood Acrylic Ornament Santa Personalized

Personalized Clan MacGowan Portrait (Gow Portrait) Modern Tartan Santa Ornament – Custom Acrylic Christmas Decoration - MacGowan

Personalized Clan MacGowan Portrait (Gow Portrait) Modern Tartan Ornament – Custom Acrylic Christmas DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such as...
From $19.99 USD
From $19.99 USD
  • MacGowan

Tartan Ornament

Gow · Macan Portrait ( Portrait) Modern

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Pillow CoverClan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Pillow Cover, view 2

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Pillow Cover - Gow Modern Tartan Clan

Gow Modern Tartan Crest Pillow Cover - Tartan Cushion Cover Product detail: Made of 50% cotton / 50% polyester material, soft and comfortable texture. With pre-shrunk fabric, machine washable at 60. Zippered opening style. Both functional and decorative. Discover the Clan Gow heritage page,...
$25.55 USD
$25.55 USD
  • Gow Modern Tartan Clan

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Pillow Cover

Gow

Gow Modern tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Gow crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Gow Modern tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Gow crest

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Gow Modern Tartan

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Gow Modern tartan with the crest badge of Clan Gow printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From $29.95 USD
From $29.95 USD
  • Gow Modern Tartan

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Gow · Modern Tartan

Gow (or McGouan) tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Gow crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Gow (or McGouan) tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Gow crest

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Gow (or McGouan) Tartan

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan with the crest badge of Clan Gow printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in...
From $29.95 USD
From $29.95 USD
  • Gow (or McGouan) Tartan

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Gow · (or McGouan) Tartan

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Gow Modern tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Gow" on the Santa hat

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Gow Modern tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From $19.99 USD
From $19.99 USD

Tartan Ornament

Gow · Modern

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Gow (or McGouan) tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Gow" on the Santa hat

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Gow (or McGouan) tartan. The white fur band of the hat...
From $19.99 USD
From $19.99 USD

Tartan Ornament

Gow · (or McGouan)

Christmas piper ornament in the Gow Modern tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Gow Modern tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Gow Modern tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From $24.99 USD
$32.49 USD
From $24.99 USD
Save $7.50

Tartan Ornament

Gow · Modern

Christmas piper ornament in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper,...
From $24.99 USD
$32.49 USD
From $24.99 USD
Save $7.50

Tartan Ornament

Gow · (or McGouan)

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Gow Modern tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Gow Modern tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Gow Modern tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From $25.25 USD
$32.83 USD
From $25.25 USD
Save $7.58

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Gow · Modern

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Gow (or McGouan) tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Gow (or McGouan) tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and...
From $25.25 USD
$32.83 USD
From $25.25 USD
Save $7.58

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Gow · (or McGouan)

Clan Gow crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Gow Modern tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Gow Modern tartan behind the thistle

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Gow Modern tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From $29.99 USD
From $29.99 USD

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Gow · Modern

Clan Gow crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Gow (or McGouan) tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Gow (or McGouan) tartan behind the thistle

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Gow (or McGouan) tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose...
From $29.99 USD
From $29.99 USD

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Gow · (or McGouan)

Wooden Highland cow Christmas ornament wearing a Gow (or McGouan) tartan scarf, with a ribbon banner for a custom nameExample of the personalized Highland cow ornament with the name "The Gow Family" on the ribbon banner

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A shaggy Highland cow, Scotland's favourite, wrapped up for winter in a scarf of the Gow (or McGouan) tartan, with a sprig of holly between its horns. The ribbon banner below carries...
From $19.99 USD
From $19.99 USD

Tartan Ornament

Gow · (or McGouan)

Wooden Highland cow Christmas ornament wearing a Gow Modern tartan scarf, with a ribbon banner for a custom nameExample of the personalized Highland cow ornament with the name "The Gow Family" on the ribbon banner

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A shaggy Highland cow, Scotland's favourite, wrapped up for winter in a scarf of the Gow Modern tartan, with a sprig of holly between its horns. The ribbon banner below carries the name...
From $19.99 USD
From $19.99 USD

Tartan Ornament

Gow · Modern

Gow Modern tartan Christmas tree skirt with a Scottish Highland scene, stag, Highland cow and thistles under a Christmas treeClose-up of the Gow Modern tartan border with Celtic knots, thistles and a sleigh on the printed tree skirt

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt - Gow Modern Tartan

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt Bring your family's Scottish heritage to the foot of your tree. The border of this tree skirt carries the Gow Modern tartan, framing a snowy Highland scene with a stone castle, a red stag, a Highland...
From $44.95 USD
From $44.95 USD
  • Gow Modern Tartan

Clan Gow Modern Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt

Gow · Modern Tartan

Gow (or McGouan) tartan Christmas tree skirt with a Scottish Highland scene, stag, Highland cow and thistles under a Christmas treeClose-up of the Gow (or McGouan) tartan border with Celtic knots, thistles and a sleigh on the printed tree skirt

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt - Gow (or McGouan) Tartan

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt Bring your family's Scottish heritage to the foot of your tree. The border of this tree skirt carries the Gow (or McGouan) tartan, framing a snowy Highland scene with a stone castle, a red stag,...
From $44.95 USD
From $44.95 USD
  • Gow (or McGouan) Tartan

Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt

Gow · (or McGouan) Tartan

Personalized Gow Modern Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor VI71Personalized bagpiper garden gnome caricature plaque: custom photo, custom tartan and custom text options

Personalized Gow Modern Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor

Personalized Gow Modern Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden DecorCelebrate your Scottish heritage with a one-of-a-kind Personalized Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque. Upload your favorite photo, choose your Scottish...
From $25.25 USD
$32.83 USD
From $25.25 USD
Save $7.58

Personalized Gow Modern Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor

Gow · Modern

Personalized Gow (or McGouan) Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor CA18Personalized bagpiper garden gnome caricature plaque: custom photo, custom tartan and custom text options

Personalized Gow (or McGouan) Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor

Personalized Gow (or McGouan) Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden DecorCelebrate your Scottish heritage with a one-of-a-kind Personalized Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque. Upload your favorite photo, choose your...
From $25.25 USD
$32.83 USD
From $25.25 USD
Save $7.58

Personalized Gow (or McGouan) Clan Bagpipe Garden Gnome Caricature Plaque Custom Photo, Any Clan Tartan, Wood or Acrylic, Grandpa & Dad Gift, Scottish Highland Garden Decor

Gow · (or McGouan)

Custom Bagpipe Gow Modern Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden Stand

Custom Bagpipe Gow Modern Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden Stand

Custom Bagpipe Gow Modern Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden StandCreate a warm, relaxing, and magical atmosphere with our Personalized LED Night Light. Designed to elevate your bedroom, living room, or workspace, this custom acrylic lamp features a smooth color-changing...
$35.41 USD
$49.99 USD
$35.41 USD
Save $14.58

LED Night Light

Gow · Modern

Custom Bagpipe Gow (or McGouan) Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden Stand

Custom Bagpipe Gow (or McGouan) Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden Stand

Custom Bagpipe Gow (or McGouan) Tartan LED Night Light - Personalized Scottish Bagpiper Figurine with Wooden StandCreate a warm, relaxing, and magical atmosphere with our Personalized LED Night Light. Designed to elevate your bedroom, living room, or workspace, this custom acrylic lamp features a smooth...
$35.41 USD
$49.99 USD
$35.41 USD
Save $14.58

LED Night Light

Gow · (or McGouan)

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From $19.99 USD
$25.99 USD
From $19.99 USD
Save $6.00

Drummer Ornament

Gow · Modern

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Gow (or McGouan) Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions...
From $19.99 USD
$25.99 USD
From $19.99 USD
Save $6.00

Drummer Ornament

Gow · (or McGouan)

Gow Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration MI99

Personalized Clan Gow Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From $19.99 USD
$25.99 USD
From $19.99 USD
Save $6.00

Bagpiper Ornament

Gow · Modern

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Tartan Identity

Clan Gow’s Tartans

Gow tartan swatch

Gow

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G

Gow of Mcgouan

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G

Gow of Skeoch

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Discover the Full Gow Collection

Personalised gifts, apparel and heritage decor for Clan Gow.

View all Gow products

The Gow Story

  1. 1396

    Tradition: Henry 'Gow Chrom', a smith, fights at the trial by combat on the North Inch[2]

Visit the Gow Homeland

Map of Scotland with Gow places marked

Badenoch, Inverness-shire

Electric Scotland ties the Gow tradition to Badenoch, where Henry 'Gow Chrom' is said to have returned with the Clan Chattan men after 1396.[2]

Map outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Pins use official Historic Environment Scotland grid references.

Clan Gow Today

ChiefNo chief is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. COSCA lists Gow among the names associated with Clan Macpherson, and leaves the chief field on its own Gow page empty.

Surnames linked to Clan Gow

These family names are connected with Clan Gow. Each list says who records the link.

Listed by the clan society or COSCA

  • Guan
  • MacAgown

Not your surname? Find your clan by surname →

Questions about Clan Gow

Is Gow a Scottish clan?

Not an independent clan with its own chief. Gow is an occupational surname from the Gaelic for 'smith'; COSCA lists it among the names associated with Clan Macpherson, and Electric Scotland links the Gows to both the Mackintoshes and the Macphersons of Clan Chattan.

What does the name Gow mean?

It comes from the Gaelic 'gobha', meaning smith.

Who was 'Gow Crom'?

Tradition names a smith called Henry who fought at the trial by combat on the North Inch in 1396 and who, being bandy-legged, was known as 'Gow Chrom'; the Gows are said to descend from him.

What is the Gow motto?

COSCA publishes 'Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove' for Gow — the same motto it gives for Clan Macpherson.

Sources

  1. Find a clan: Gow, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA)
  2. Clan GOW, MACGOWAN, Electric Scotland
  3. Members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
  4. Find a clan: Macpherson, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA)