Bob, I don't have any definite answers for you, but I thought I'd share some names with you. My maternal Bowers line came from Washington Co., VA, with other surnames being Minnick, Fudge, and Brewer. I have always assumed they were from Germany, Prussia, or the Netherlands. On my paternal Bowman side I have a lady with a surname of Lnu, and a given name of Fnu. She was born in Bacharach on the Rhine, Germany in about the year 1640. Just thought I'd clue you in on the Lnu surname being possibly German. Later, when I get the chance, I'll post my Bower's for comparison. Regards, Charles Bowman El Paso, Texas