Cowlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Cowlan family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Cowlan is derived from the Scottish name MacCallum, which means "the son of the gillie of Callum." However, the full form of the name was used until the 17th century. The Callums were an import branch of the Clan McLeod of Raasay.

Early Origins of the Cowlan family

The surname Cowlan was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Cowlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cowlan research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Cowlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cowlan Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Cowlan has been written as Callum, MacColum, MacCallum, Colum, Callam, Callem, Calam and many more.

Early Notables of the Cowlan family

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

Migration of the Cowlan family to Ireland

Some of the Cowlan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cowlan family

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Cowlan or a variant listed above include: Patrick Callum who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868.

The Cowlan 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: In ardua tendit
Motto Translation: He reaches towards things difficult of attainment.