McKayan History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McKayan is the given name Ian or John. John is the most common personal name in the Highlands. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Iain. Early Origins of the McKayan familyThe surname McKayan 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 early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Early History of the McKayan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKayan research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1340, 1618, 1667, 1717, 1777, 1808, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McKayan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McKayan Spelling VariationsThe translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McKayan has appeared as MacIan, MacAne, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain and others. Early Notables of the McKayan familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Archibald McKain (1717-1777), Scottish Shoemaker and Burgess of Elgin, Morayshire, who became the 15th Chief of MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Also of note was Thomas M'kean of Delaware, one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence.
John Canne (d. 1667?)... Migration of the McKayan family to IrelandSome of the McKayan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the McKayan familyMany settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The McKayan were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: John MacKane settled in Carolina in 1806; Alexander, John, Peter, Thomas MacKane all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; James MacKean settled in Carolina in 1767.
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