Show ContentsGahent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Gahent family. Their name comes from person who was skilled in the riding of horses or who owned many horses. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eachthighearna, which translates as son of the horse-lord. 1

Early Origins of the Gahent family

The surname Gahent was first found in Kintyre, where "on the shaft of the cross at Kilkerran near Campbeltown, is the inscription: Hec est: crvx: Coleni: Mc: Heachyrna: et Katirine: uxoris: eivs (Drummond, Sculptured monuments of Iona, pl. lxxxi). This is probably Colin MacEachern who was chief of the Macecherns in 1499." 1

Early History of the Gahent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gahent research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1499, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1512, 1515, 1541, 1596, 1605, 1647, 1659, 1662, 1682, 1684, 1694, 1769, 1788, 1798, 1801, 1806, 1814, 1818, 1847, 1849 and 1888 are included under the topic Early Gahent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gahent 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. Gahent has been written as MacEachern, MacEachen, MacEachan, MacEachin, MacEachren and many more.

Early Notables of the Gahent family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Evan MacEachen (1769-1849), Gaelic scholar, born at Arisaig, Invernessshire, in 1769, was educated in a school at Ruthven, near Keith. He was sent in 1788 to the Scots College at Valladolid, where he was ordained priest in 1798. On his return to the mission he was stationed at Arisaig. In 1801 he was removed to Badenoch...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gahent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gahent family to Ireland

Some of the Gahent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 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 Gahent family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Gahent or a variant listed above: Archibald MacEachern and his wife Jean, who settled in New York State with the children in 1738; Donald MacEachern and his wife Anne settled with his child in New York State in 1738.



The Gahent 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


  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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