Actually it dates back to ancient Greece. One of the earliest known link between owls and wisdom is their association with the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Athena. She is often depicted holding an owl. Owls came to be associated with her because a particular species of owl was common on top of the Arcopolis of Athens. Since that hilltop was dedicated to Athena, the Greeks took the fact that there were so many Owls present as them being sacred to Athena. As a result the Owl and Athena have been linked and the Owl has come to represent Wisdom in many later cultures, heck right down to Owl in Winnie the Pooh...
In reality, they have very small brains and aren't wise at all.
In reality, they have very small brains and aren't wise at all.