Gowan is an Anglicised Scottish Gaelic-language or Irish-language surname derived from the occupation of smith. Notable people with the surname include:
Charles Gowan (1850–1938), American and Canadian pioneer and politician
David Gowan, American politician from Arizona
Douglas Gowan (1942/43-2018), British PCB pollution researcher
Franklin B. Gowen (1836–1889), American attorney and president of Reading Railroad
Geoffrey Gowan (1929–2013), Canadian sports broadcaster
Hunter Gowan, Irish Protestant politician and militiaman
J Gowan, defendant in R. v.
