owen

noun

1. Sir Richard,1804–92, English zoologist and anatomist.
2. Robert,1771–1858, Welsh social reformer in Great Britain and the U.S.
3. Wilfred,1893–1918, English poet.
4. a male given name.

noun

1. David (Anthony Llewellyn), Baron. born 1938, British politician: Labour foreign secretary (1977–79); cofounder of the Social Democratic Party (1981) and its leader (1983–87): leader (1988–90) of the section of the Social Democratic Party that did not merge with the Liberal Party in 1988; peace envoy to Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992–95)
2. Michael (James). born 1979, English footballer: a striker, he scored 40 goals in 89 games for England (1998–2008); his clubs included Liverpool (1996–2004) and Newcastle United (2005–2009)
3. Sir Richard. 1804–92, English comparative anatomist and palaeontologist
4. Robert. 1771–1858, Welsh industrialist and social reformer. He formed a model industrial community at New Lanark, Scotland, and pioneered cooperative societies. His books include New View of Society (1813)
5. Wilfred. 1893–1918, English poet of World War I, who was killed in action

Celtic masc. proper name, ultimately from Greek eugenes “well-born;” via Gaelic Eoghann, Old Irish Eogan, Old Welsh Eugein, Ougein. In Medieval records, frequently Latinized as Eugenius; the form Eugene emerged in Scotland by late 12c. The Breton form Even led to modern French Ivain. Owenite in reference to the communistic system of social reformer Robert Owen (1771-1858) is attested from 1829.