First found in Argyllshire, where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the Origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Kaighen or a variant listed above: John MacKane settled in Carolina in 1806; Alexander, John, Peter, Thomas MacKane all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; James MacKean settled in Carolina in 1767.

For more information on the last name Kaighen, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.