Gowans is a surname. Notable people with the name include:
Alan Gowans (1923–2001), art historian and academic
Betty Gowans (born 1947), Canadian sprint canoer
Brad Gowans (1903–1954), American jazz trombonist and reedist
Chris Gowans (born 1977), Australian rules football player
Fred R. Gowans (born 1936), American professor who specializes in the fur trade in the American West
James Gowans (disambiguation), multiple people, including:
James Gowans (architect) (1821–1890), Scottish architect and quarry owner
James Gowans (rugby union) (1872–1936), Scottish rugby union player
James Learmonth Gowans (born 1924), English immunologist
James Gowans (Australian footballer) (born 1977), Australian footballer
John Gowans (1934–2012), British General of The Salvation Army
Peter Gowans (1944–2009), Scottish football winger
Tony Gowans, New Zealand football player
William Gowans (1803–1870), American bookseller
