Show ContentsCuen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the Scottish west coast, the Cuen family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from Suibhne, an old Gaelic forename which probably means good-going or well-going. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Shuibhne.

Early Origins of the Cuen family

The surname Cuen was first found in on the Isles of Skye and Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they were originally a branch of the MacDonalds of Clanranald. But although the MacQueens held lands of Garafad on the Isle of Skye for several centuries it is likely that the first MacQueen was the Lord of Knapdale in Argyllshire who held Castle Sween.

Early History of the Cuen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cuen research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1411 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Cuen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuen Spelling Variations

In various documents Cuen has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacQueen, MacQueon, MacSween, MacSwene, MacSweyne, MacSwan, MacCunn and many more.

Early Notables of the Cuen family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was MacQueen of Pall à Chrocain, a legendary Highland deer stalker popularly believed to have slain the last wolf Tarnaway Forest in the province of Morayshire in 1743. Apparently, he received a message from his chief, the Laird of Clan Mackintosh, that a black wolf had killed two children. He arrived late for the meeting, received a tirade from his chief only to reveal from under his garment the head of the wolf. He described the event as...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cuen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Cuen family to Ireland

Some of the Cuen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Cuen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Cuen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Cuen, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Chatham" [1]


  1. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CHATHAM 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/chatham1852.shtml


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