Show ContentsBohanan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

An ancient Pictish-Scottish family was the first to use the name Bohanan. It is a name for someone who lived in the great lands of Buchanan in Stirlingshire where this illustrious Clan held extensive territories since early times. Although many of today's members of the Clan Buchanan can trace their heritage as far back as McAlpin, the first to establish the name of Buchan was Anselan O'Kyan, son of the King of Ulster about 1016.

It is generally believed that the Buchanans of Auchmar received lands bordering Loch Lomond by King Malcolm II for services rendered against the Danes. And records do confirm that Walter de Buchanan had a land grant in Auchmarr in 1373. A Maurice Buchanan also acted as treasurer to Princess Margaret of France at this time.

Early Origins of the Bohanan family

The surname Bohanan was first found in Lennox. In Gaelic, "both-chanain" means "the seat of the canon," suggesting an ecclesiastical origin. The Clan received its name from the great lands of Buchanan in Stirlingshire where they had held extensive territories since early times. The earliest mention of the name placed him in Stirling (now part of the modern region of Central) where in an early document, a Dominus Absolone de Buchkan was a witness to a charter in 1224.

"The name of this place was originally Inchcaileoch, which it received from an island in Loch Lomond. This name is of uncertain origin; but the family who used it in consequence of having, at a very early period, obtained a grant of the lands so called, sprang from Anselan, a native of Ireland, who is supposed to have located himself here in the 11th century." [1]

Early History of the Bohanan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bohanan research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1016, 1296, 1506, 1582, 1595, 1652, 1681, 1690, 1759 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bohanan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bohanan Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Bohanan include Buchanan, Bucanan, Bucanion, Bucanen, Bucanon, Buchannan, Buchannon, Buchannen, Buchanon, Buchanen, Bohannon and many more.

Early Notables of the Bohanan family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was George Buchanan (1506-1582), Scottish humanist, scholar, and educator; as well as John Buchanan of that Ilk (d. 1681), Clan Chief and last Laird of Buchanan and Buchanan of Arnprior.Andrew Buchanan (1690-1759), of Drumpellier, was Lord Provost of Glasgow, and was descended from a branch of the old family of Buchanan of Buchanan and Leny. He was the second of four sons of George Buchanan, maltster, Glasgow, one of the covenanters who fought at Bothwell Bridge. [2]George Buchanan (1506-1582), was a Scottish scholar, and third son...
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bohanan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bohanan Ranking

In the United States, the name Bohanan is the 10,663rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [3]

Ireland Migration of the Bohanan family to Ireland

Some of the Bohanan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Bohanan migration to Canada +

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Bohanan:

Bohanan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Bohanan, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • John Bohanan, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752

Contemporary Notables of the name Bohanan (post 1700) +

  • John L. Bohanan Jr. (b. 1958), American politician, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1999-)


The Bohanan 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: Clarior hinc honos
Motto Translation: Brighter hence the honour.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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