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In the various records the name is written sometimes - Boman - Borman - Boreman - Bourman - Burman - and Bowerman - ; and is pronounced, as all proper names are liable to be pronounced, according to the caprice of the speaker, either - Bo-man - Bo-erman - Bower-man - (as-in out; Standard Dictionary). The evidence of Robert Kerrick the Devonshire poet, (1591-1674), establishes the local pronunciation in favour of the long -o- as against the --au-in-out- as may be seen in his unflattering epigram upon the Devonshire miller, in which he says.....
`Boreman takes toll; cheats, flatters, lies; yet Boreman',
`For all the Devil helps, will be poor man'. The Canadian branch of the family write the name - Bowerman - but vary in pronunciation, in differently - Bo-erman- with a tendency to ultimate suppression of the long -O-. The name signifies either an Archer or Bowman, or a maker of Bows for Archery, whether written - Boman - or - Bo-erman - and -Bower-man -; and is perhaps derived form calling or occupation of the family during the early history of Whales and the West of England. A Welsh origin of the family is not inconsistent with the evidence of the Devonshire `-Rock-Idol-';, while the armorial bearing rather strengthen the evidence in favour of a military origin of the name.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~saylormowbray/Bow...