Contents [hide]

McFadden History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

McFadden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The McFadden family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name McFadden is derived from the personal name Paidean. The Gaelic forms of the surname are Mac Phadein or Mac Phaidin, both of which mean son of Paidean or little Pat. 1

Early Origins of the McFadden family

The surname McFadden was first found in Kintyre, where the late Rev. J. G. Campbell says: "MacFadyens were said to have been the first possessors of Lochbuie, and when expelled they became a race of wandering artificers, Sliochd nan or-cheard-the race of goldsmiths in Mull."

"The earliest record of the name is in 1304 when Malcolm Macpadene appears as a charter witness at Achichendone in Kintyre. Conghan MacPaden petitioned for the archdeaconry of Argyll in 1390. John McFadyeane is in record in Edinburgh in 1457, and in 1473 a composition was made with Donald M'Fadzeane in Kirkcudbright." 1

Early History of the McFadden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McFadden research. Another 417 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1499, 1507, 1511, 1532, 1540, 1618, 1620, 1628, 1641, 1643, 1672, 1675, 1681, 1684, 1733, 1737, 1741, 1769, 1794 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McFadden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McFadden Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McFadden include McFadyen, Fadden, Fadyen, Faden, McFadin, Fadin, McFadwyn, Fadwyn, McFadyean, McFadyon, McFayden, Feyden and many more.

Early Notables of the McFadden family

More information is included under the topic Early McFadden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McFadden Ranking

In the United States, the name McFadden is the 949^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McFadden family to Ireland

Some of the McFadden family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McFadden migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McFadden arrived in North America very early:

McFadden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew McFadden, who arrived in New England in 1718 3
James McFadden, who landed in New England in 1718-1720 3

McFadden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John McFadden, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1809 3
Joseph McFadden, aged 6, who arrived in America in 1822 3
Samuel McFadden, who landed in New York in 1827 3
Sharp McFadden, who arrived in New York in 1838 3
Robert McFadden, who landed in Mississippi in 1838 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McFadden migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McFadden Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Samuel McFadden, aged 22, who landed in Quebec in 1833
Denis McFadden, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Patrick McFadden, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Patrick McFadden, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Ferigal McFadden, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McFadden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McFadden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Mcfadden, (b. 1825), aged 13, Irish errand boy who was convicted in Antrim, Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Mary McFadden, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "South Sea"
William McFadden, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
Margaret McFadden, aged 25, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nimroud"
Nancy McFadden, aged 14, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nimroud"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McFadden migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McFadden Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Jane Mcfadden, (b. 1844), aged 24, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Light Brigade" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th August 1868 5
Mr. William Mcfadden, (b. 1821), aged 48, Irish farm labourer, from Caven travelling from London aboard the ship "Siberia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st February 1870 6
Mrs. Catherine Mcfadden, (b. 1824), aged 45, Irish settler, from Caven travelling from London aboard the ship "Siberia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st February 1870 6
Miss Margaret Mcfadden, (b. 1847), aged 22, Irish dairy maid, from Caven travelling from London aboard the ship "Siberia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st February 1870 6
Mr. William Mcfadden, (b. 1850), aged 19, Irish farm labourer, from Caven travelling from London aboard the ship "Siberia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st February 1870 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McFadden (post 1700) +

W. R. McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nevada, 1916
William R. McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 12th District, 1961
Theresa M. McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1980
Roger McFadden, American politician, Socialist Workers Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1968
P. W. McFadden, American politician, Mayor of Austin, Texas, 1926-33
Orrin McFadden, American politician, U.S. Collector of Customs, 1869-79
Ophelia McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 (alternate), 1996, 2000
Obadiah Benton McFadden (1815-1875), American politician, Justice of Oregon Territorial Supreme Court, 1853-54; Justice of Washington Territorial Supreme Court, 1854-61; Member Washington territorial council, 1861
Nancy E. McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Member, Credentials Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2008
Nathaniel J. McFadden, American Democratic Party politician, Elected Maryland State Senate 45th District 1998; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 2008
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html