Brief Life History of William Henry Bowman
William Henry Bowman Smith was born about 1881. He married Mary Elizabeth Print in 1907, in New Zealand. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 1 daughter. He died on 23 June 1927, in Rongotea, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand, at the age of 47, and was buried in Rongotea Cemetery, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.
Photos and Memories (0)
Do you know William Henry Bowman? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account
Family Time Line
Sources (2)
- Legacy NFS Source: William Henry Bowman Smith - Government record: birth-name: William Henry Bowman Smith
- William Henry Bowman Smith, "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998"
Spouse and Children
about 1881–1927 Male
1886–1969 Female
Children (3)
1908–2002 Male
1915–2009 Female
1918–1919 Male
World Events (6)
1887 · New Zealands's First National Park
Age 6
1893
Age 12
1896 · National Council of Women
Age 15
Name Meaning
English and Scottish: occupational name denoting a worker in metal, especially iron, such as a blacksmith or farrier, from Middle English smith ‘smith’ (Old English smith, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer’). Early examples are also found in the Latin form Faber . Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents in other languages were the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is also the most frequent of all surnames in the US. It is very common among African Americans and Native Americans (see also 5 below). This surname (in any of the two possible English senses; see also below) is also found in Haiti. See also Smither .
English: from Middle English smithe ‘smithy, forge’ (Old English smiththe). The surname may be topographic, for someone who lived in or by a blacksmith's shop, occupational, for someone who worked in one, or habitational, from a place so named, such as Smitha in King's Nympton (Devon). Compare Smithey .
Irish and Scottish: sometimes adopted for Gaelic Mac Gobhann, Irish Mac Gabhann ‘son of the smith’. See McGowan .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Discover Even More
As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.
