| ![Show Contents]() Magoon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland Magoon was first used as a surname among the descendants of the ancient Scottish people known as the Picts. It was a name for a metalworker. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Ghobhainn, which means son of the smith. 1 Early Origins of the Magoon familyThe surname Magoon was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles, and consisting of a large northern mainland area and various island areas off the west coast, the shire was anciently both a Pictish and Norwegian stronghold, where the name is from the Gaelic 'Govha' meaning 'a blacksmith' and as such could have been a name that applied to people throughout Scotland. However, as in the case of clans like the Fletchers or Clarks, eventually the name became attributed to a specific area or region. As such, The Clan was also located in Nithsfield in the 12th century, and recorded as a Border Clan. To the west in Elgin and Galloway they were known as the MacGavins. Due to the Anglicization of the Gaelic name, spellings were often widely different. "MacGowan (McGowan) is the name of an old Stirling family. Gilcallum McGoun had a precept of remission for rapine and other crimes on the lands of the abbot of Cupar, 1503 (RSS., I, 953). Gilbert Makgowin, a follower of the earl of Cassilis, was respited for murder in 1526 (ibid., 3386). William McGown in Pitcalny, a follower of Ross of Pitcalny, 1592 (RPC., V, p. 31). Murchie McGowy or Muithie McGowne in Fanmoir, Mull, was put to horn in 1629 (RPC., 2 ser. II, p. 341; III, p. 45). Alister McGhowin, an engager on royalist side, in parish of Urray, 1649 (IDR., p. 368). Alexander M'Gowne was retoured heir in the lands of Langlandes of Lochanes in the territory of Dumfries, 1672." 2 "In the reign of David II there was a Clan M'Gowan, probably located somewhere on the river Nith, whose chiefship was adjudged to Donald Edzear (RMS., I, App II, 982). This Edzear was a descendant of Dunegal of Stranith (Nithsdale), whose seat was at Morton, Dumfriesshire, about the beginning of the twelfth century. The name here may indicate descent from Owen the Bald (the Eugenius Calvin of Simeon of Durham), king of the Strathclyde Britons, who was killed in 1018." 2 Early History of the Magoon familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magoon research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1396, 1613, 1631, 1658, 1661, 1683, 1698, 1725 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Magoon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Magoon Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Magoon has appeared MacGowan, McGowan, MacGowin, McGowin, MacGowen, McGowen, Gow, Gowan, Gowen, Gowin, MacGavin, McGavin and many more. Early Notables of the Magoon familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was John Gow (c. 1698-1725), Scottish notorious pirate probably born in Wick, Caithness whose short career was immortalized by Charles Johnson in "A General History of the Pyrates."Thomas Gowan (1631-1683), was a writer on logic, "born at Caldermuir, Scotland...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Magoon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Magoon RankingIn the United States, the name Magoon is the 10,330th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3  Migration of the Magoon family to Ireland
Some of the Magoon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Magoon migration to the United States | + |
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Magoon:
Magoon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Mrs. Mary A. Magoon, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1904
- A. Magoon, aged 32, who immigrated to America, in 1905
- John Magoon, aged 52, who landed in America, in 1905
- Chas. E. Magoon, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
- Charles Magoon, aged 37, who landed in America, in 1914
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Magoon (post 1700) | + |
- Christian Magoon, American entrepreneur, author, speaker and business executive, CEO of Magoon Capital
- Seymour "Blue Jaw" Magoon (b. 1908), American hitman in New York's Murder Inc gang
- Henry Sterling Magoon (1832-1889), American politician, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin (1875-1877)
- George Henry Magoon (1875-1943), American Major League Baseball infielder who played from 1898 to 1903 for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and the Chicago White Sox
- Charles Edward Magoon (1861-1920), American lawyer, judge, diplomat, and administrator, 2nd Provisional Governor of Cuba (1906-1909), 2nd Military Governor of Panama Canal Zone (1905-1906), 3rd United States Minister to Panama (1905-1906)
- Elias Lyman Magoon (1810-1886), American clergyman and religious writer
- Magoon Barnes, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1920 4
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: Juncta arma decori
Motto Translation: Arms united to merit.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- 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)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Magoon migration to the United States 
