The spelling of the surname "McCowen" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The surname is pronounced as /məˈkaʊən/ with the stress on the second syllable. The first two letters "Mc" indicates that the surname is of Scottish or Irish origin and means "son of". The spelling of "C" as "K" is also common in Scottish names. The last syllable "-owen" is derived from the Gaelic word "eoan" which means "yew". Therefore, the name "McCowen" means "son of the yew tree".