McGaha History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsIn the Scotland of ancient times, McGaha was a name for a person who was skilled in the riding of horses or who owned many horses. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eachthighearna, which translates as son of the horse-lord. 1 Early Origins of the McGaha familyThe surname McGaha was first found in Kintyre, where "on the shaft of the cross at Kilkerran near Campbeltown, is the inscription: Hec est: crvx: Coleni: Mc: Heachyrna: et Katirine: uxoris: eivs (Drummond, Sculptured monuments of Iona, pl. lxxxi). This is probably Colin MacEachern who was chief of the Macecherns in 1499." 1 Early History of the McGaha familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGaha research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1499, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1512, 1515, 1541, 1596, 1605, 1647, 1659, 1662, 1682, 1684, 1694, 1769, 1788, 1798, 1801, 1806, 1814, 1818, 1847, 1849 and 1888 are included under the topic Early McGaha History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McGaha Spelling VariationsMedieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, McGaha has been spelled MacEachern, MacEachen, MacEachan, MacEachin, MacEachren and many more. Early Notables of the McGaha familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Evan MacEachen (1769-1849), Gaelic scholar, born at Arisaig, Invernessshire, in 1769, was educated in a school at Ruthven, near Keith. He was sent in 1788 to the Scots College at Valladolid, where he was ordained priest in 1798. On his return to the mission he was stationed at Arisaig. In 1801 he was removed to Badenoch... McGaha RankingIn the United States, the name McGaha is the 7,663rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2 Migration of the McGaha family to IrelandSome of the McGaha family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the McGaha familyThe 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 McGaha arrived in North America very early: Archibald MacEachern and his wife Jean, who settled in New York State with the children in 1738; Donald MacEachern and his wife Anne settled with his child in New York State in 1738.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto. Motto: Per mare per terras Motto Translation: By sea and by land.
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