Vauhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

The surname Vauhan is derived from the Welsh words fychan, vychan, and bychan, which all mean small or little. The name was sometimes used to distinguish the younger of two bearers of the same personal name; and in other instances, it may have been a nickname, applied ironically, to a tall person.

Early Origins of the Vauhan family

The surname Vauhan was first found in Shropshire, where they were descended from Tudor Trevor, the Earl of Hereford, and Lord of Maylors. His wife was descended from Howel Dda, King of South Wales, in 907. Descended was Gronwy, Earl of Hereford, through a series of Lords of Maylors and Oswestry. They descended to John Vaughan, son of Rhys Ap Llewellyn, of Plas Thomas in Shrewsbury.

Howel Vychan (Howel the Little) (d. 825) was a Welsh prince, said to have been son of Rhodri, a reputed descendant of Cunedda and king of Gwynedd or North Wales. 1

Later, Vychan (Vaughan the Little) (fl 1230-1240), was a Welsh statesman and warrior who seems to have been the most trusted counsellor of Llewelyn ab Iorwerth. "In 1231, he signed a truce between Henry III and Llewelyn. In legendary history Ednyved is very famous, and stories are told how he slew three English chiefs in a hard fight. He became the ancestor of many leading Welsh families, and among them of the house of Tudor. He is said to have married, first, Gwenllian, daughter of the Lord Rhys of South Wales, and, secondly, the daughter of Llywerch ab Bran. By each of these ladies he had numerous offspring." 1

Early History of the Vauhan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vauhan research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1447, 1522, 1587, 1592, 1600, 1603, 1613, 1620, 1621, 1626, 1629, 1639, 1640, 1644, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1667, 1672, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1678, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1686, 1695, 1713 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Vauhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vauhan Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Vauhan has seen various spelling variations: Vaughan, Vaughn and others.

Early Notables of the Vauhan family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir Griffith Vaughan or Vychan (d. 1447), Welsh soldier, was son of Griffith ap Leuan; Edward Vaughan (d. 1522), Welsh Bishop of St. David's; Sir Henry Vaughan the elder (1587?-1659), a Welsh politician, Member of Parliament for Carmarthen (1621-1629), Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire (1640-1644), High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire (1620); Robert Powell Vaughan (ca. 1592-1667), an eminent Welsh antiquary and collector of manuscripts; Thomas Vaughan (1621-1666), a Welsh philosopher, best remembered for his writings in the area of natural magic; Sir John Vaughan SL (1603-1674), of Trawsgoed, a Welsh justice from...
Another 133 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vauhan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vauhan family to Ireland

Some of the Vauhan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 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 Vauhan family

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Vauhan: George Vaughan settled in Maine in 1629; Patrick Vaughan settled in Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth Vaughan settled in Virginia in 1654; John Vaughan settled in Virginia in 1636.

The Vauhan 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: Non revertar inultus
Motto Translation: I will not return unrevenged.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print