Originally this was a pre 10th Century Gaelic, name for "a Smith". It derives from "Gabha" and appears to be first recorded in Essex in the 16th Century. The name development including Marie Gowen who in 1585 married Thomas Turner at Felstead Church, Essex. In 1639 another spelling variant was recorded when Thomas Gowing married Joane Field at Great Burstead in 1639, whilst in 1693, John Gowens, a plurality which may be a patronymic "son of Gowen" is recorded at Hornchurch. The last varient is "Going" recorded at Loughton in 1735 when Ann Going was baptised. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alice Gowyn. which was dated 1571, married John Juzor at Southweald, Essex. during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess, 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.