Show ContentsBachan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of first people to use the name Bachan. The name was found in the lands of Buchan in Aberdeenshire having derived from the Gaelic word for little or small.

Early Origins of the Bachan family

The surname Bachan was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland.

Some of the first records of the family were Ricardus de Buchan, who was clerk of the bishopric of Aberdeen c. 1207-1208 and William de Buchan who held land in Aberdeen in 1281. A few years later, Thomas de Boghan of Edinburghshire rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. 1

Early History of the Bachan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bachan research. Another 231 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1272, 1291, 1296, 1301, 1309, 1318, 1369, 1376, 1391, 1405, 1436, 1446, 1458, 1477, 1708 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Bachan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bachan Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Bachan has appeared Buchan, Buccan, Buckan, Buchane and others.

Early Notables of the Bachan family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Andrew of Buchan (d. 1309?), Bishop of Caithness, former Abbot of the Cistercian abbey of Cupar (Coupar) Angus, to which he had been preferred in 1272. His name appears on the Ragman Rolls as paying homage to Edward at the church of Perth 24 July 1291, and at Berwick-on-Tweed 28 Aug. 1296. He was nominated to the bishoric of Caithness by Pope Boniface VIII, 17 Dec. 1296. "The date of his death is usually given as 1301, but this...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bachan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bachan family

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Bachan: James Buchan who arrived in New York in 1774; George Buchan arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1821; Thomas Buchan arrived in New York city in 1775.



The Bachan Motto +

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: Non inferioria secutus
Motto Translation: Not having followed mean pursuits.


  1. 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)


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