Ilchatten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Ilchatten family. Their name comes from a devotion to St. Catan, a saint of whom little is known but who was revered throughout the west coast of Scotland between the islands of Bute and Skye. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Gille Chatain, which means son of St. Catan's servant.

Early Origins of the Ilchatten family

The surname Ilchatten was first found in the area of Argyllshire on the Isle of Bute, and literally translated means the "servant of St. Catan," the patron saint of Bute, Skye, Colonsay, Gigha. St. Catan was said to have lived at the Abbey of Inchaffray on the isle of Skye.

Early History of the Ilchatten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ilchatten research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1465, 1670, 1672 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Ilchatten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ilchatten 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. Ilchatten has been written as McIlhatton, McElhatton, McElhatten, McGillecattan, McIlchattan, McHilhatton, Makelatyn, Macklehatton, McHatton and many more.

Early Notables of the Ilchatten family

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

Migration of the Ilchatten family to Ireland

Some of the Ilchatten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ilchatten 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 Ilchatten or a variant listed above: James McElhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866; Arthur, Alexander, Cornelius, and John McIlhattan and McIlhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1860 and 1866.