McGuane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The McGuane family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name McGuane is derived from the Gaelic personal name Eógann, which comes from the Latin name, Eugenius, which means well born. McGuane is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronyms were formed when a son used his father's personal name as a surname, while others came from the personal names of famous religious and secular figures. The McGuane family was established in Scotland, well before the Norman Conquest of England, in 1066.

Euing appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 and may have been derived from Eawa's son. A Eawa was brother of Penda, king of Mercia. 1 However, another source claims the name was a "descendant of Ewen (warrior)." 2

And yet another source claims the name "goes back to the Greek eugenes (wellborn.)" 3

Early Origins of the McGuane family

The surname McGuane 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 ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was Dovenaldus Ewain, documented in 1164.

Early History of the McGuane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGuane research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1164, 1178, 1546, 1555, 1598, 1611, 1621, 1633, 1636, 1664, 1678, 1681, 1687, 1717 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McGuane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGuane Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McGuane include Ewing, Ewin, Ewen, Ewans, Ewens, Eugene, Ewan and many more.

Early Notables of the McGuane family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGuane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McGuane family to Ireland

Some of the McGuane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGuane migration to Canada +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McGuane arrived in North America very early:

McGuane Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mrs. Bridget McGuane, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Eliza Morrison" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 4
Miss. Grace McGuane who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Broom" departing 13th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 6th August 1847 but she died on board 5

McGuane migration to Australia +

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

McGuane Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Martin McGuane, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Birman" in 1840 6
John McGuane, aged 20, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Burlington"
Martin McGuane, aged 26, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Burlington"
Mary McGuane, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Burlington"
Jeremiah McGuane, aged 28, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Carnatic"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McGuane (post 1700) +

Thomas Francis McGuane III (b. 1939), American author
John McGuane, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1972 7

The McGuane 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: Audaciter
Motto Translation: Boldly

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 44)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 87)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BIRMAN 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Birman.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html