Gowans is a surname. Notable people with the name include:
Alan Gowans (1923–2001), art historian and academicBetty Gowans (born 1947), Canadian sprint canoerBrad Gowans (1903–1954), American jazz trombonist and reedistChris Gowans (born 1977), Australian rules football playerFred R. Gowans (born 1936), American professor who specializes in the fur trade in the American WestJames Gowans (disambiguation), multiple people, including:James Gowans (architect) (1821–1890), Scottish architect and quarry ownerJames Gowans (rugby union) (1872–1936), Scottish rugby union playerJames Learmonth Gowans (born 1924), English immunologistJames Gowans (Australian footballer) (born 1977), Australian footballerJohn Gowans (1934–2012), British General of The Salvation ArmyPeter Gowans (1944–2009), Scottish football wingerTony Gowans, New Zealand football playerWilliam Gowans (1803–1870), American bookseller