Show ContentsBuchon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Early Origins of the Buchon family

The surname Buchon 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 Buchon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buchon 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 Buchon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buchon Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Buchon has appeared Buchan, Buccan, Buckan, Buchane and others.

Early Notables of the Buchon 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 Buchon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Buchon family

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Buchon name: 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 Buchon 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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