Mechen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Irish surname Mechen was originally Ó Miadhachain in Irish Gaelic, which is derived from the word "miadhach," meaning "honorable." 1

Early Origins of the Mechen family

The surname Mechen was first found in County Leitrim (Irish: Liatroim) anciently the western half of the kingdom of Breifne, located in Northeastern Ireland, in Leinster province, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Mechen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mechen research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mechen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mechen Spelling Variations

One explanation for the many variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname Mechen were found in the many archives researched. These included O'Meehan, Meighan, MacMeehan, MacMeekin, MacMeekan,MacMehan, MacMehon and many more.

Early Notables of the Mechen family

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

Mechen migration to the United States +

Many Irish families boarded ships bound for North America in the middle of 19th century to escape the conditions of poverty and racial discrimination at that time. Although these immigrants often arrived in a destitute state, they went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. An inquiry into many immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants to North America bearing the Mechen family name:

Mechen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jose Mechen, aged 27, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1843 2

Mechen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Arthur W. Mechen, who landed in America, in 1910
J. Gresham Mechen, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1911
William Mechen, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from Pethgo, Ireland, in 1913
Frank Mechen, aged 30, who settled in America, in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name Mechen (post 1700) +

William Mechen (1852-1880), English cricket right-handed batsman

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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)