McBean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the McBean family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name McBean is derived from the Gaelic word Beathan or betha which means life. Bean was also the name of a saint in the Breviary of Aberdeen.

Early Origins of the McBean family

The surname McBean was first found in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), where one of the first times the name arose was a Bean who was a magistrate circa 1210. It is known, however, that the MacBains moved to Invernessshire, as sod bearers to the Chiefs of the great Clan Chattan (a powerful confederation of early Clans). The name literally means "son of the fair lad," and was frequently translated to MacBean (Bain.)

Saint Bean or Beyn (fl. 1011), was, according to Fordun, appointed first bishop of Murthlach by Malclom II, at the instance of Pope Benedict VIII. A fragment of the charter of Malcolm II (1003-1029?), preserved in the register of the diocese of Aberdeen confirms this claim. 1 However, St. Bean is distinctly referred to as a native of Ireland: 'In Hybernia natalis Beani primi episcopi Aberdonensis et confessoris'. 1

Early History of the McBean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McBean research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1411, 1550 and 1745 are included under the topic Early McBean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McBean Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. McBean has been spelled Bean, Beane, Beyn, Bayn, Bene, Bane, Baine, Beine, Bayne, Beyne, Been, Beaine, MacBain, MacBean, MacVain, MacBean, MacVan and many more.

Early Notables of the McBean family

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

McBean Ranking

In the United States, the name McBean is the 15,129^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McBean family to Ireland

Some of the McBean 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.

McBean migration to the United States +

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of McBean:

McBean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel McBean, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 3
Francis McBean, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 3
William McBean, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 3
Mary McBean, who landed in New York in 1773 3

McBean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Gillis McBean, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1812 3
John McBean, who arrived in Ohio in 1830 3
Alexander McBean, who arrived in Ohio in 1840 3
David McBean, who landed in Mississippi in 1850 3
Angus McBean, who landed in Ohio in 1855 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McBean Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ewen McBean, aged 33, who settled in America from Leeds, in 1900
Athol McBean, aged 23, who landed in America from Cork, in 1903
Anna McBean, aged 51, who immigrated to America from Melbourne, Australia, in 1904
John McBean, aged 59, who immigrated to the United States from Melbourne, Australia, in 1904
John McBean, aged 28, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McBean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McBean Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Alexander McBean U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 4
Mr. Angus McBean U.E. who settled in Carleton, [Saint John West] New Brunswick c. 1784 4
Mr. John McBean U.E. who settled in Carleton, [Saint John West] New Brunswick c. 1784 became a Freeman in 1786 4
Mr. John McBean U.E. who settled in St. Stephen, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 became a Freeman in 1786 4
Mr. Neal McBean U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 4

McBean migration to Australia +

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

McBean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George McBean, British Convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Mr. Alexander McBean, (McQueen) who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
John McBean, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1839 7

McBean migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McBean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

P. McBean, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gloucester" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 28th December 1858 8

Contemporary Notables of the name McBean (post 1700) +

John Lucas "Jack" McBean (b. 1994), American soccer player from Newport Beach, California
Ryan McBean (b. 1984), American professional football defensive end
Alvin O'Neal "Al" McBean (b. 1938), American retired professional Major League Baseball player
Gerald M. McBean, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 34th District, 1980 9
Major-General William McBean VC (1818-1878), Scottish lieutenant in the 93rd Regiment of Foot, recipient of the Victoria Cross
Brett McBean (b. 1978), Australian Ned Kelly Award winning horror and speculative fiction writer
Dr. Gordon McBean, Canadian climatologist, Chairman of the board of trustees of the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, Professor at the University of Western Ontario, former Assistant Deputy Minister of Meteorological Service of Canada
Wayne "Beaner" McBean (b. 1969), Canadian retired NHL ice hockey defenceman
Marnie Elizabeth McBean (b. 1968), Canadian three-time gold medalist Olympic rower
Angus Rowland McBean (1904-1990), Welsh stage photographer

The McBean 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: Touch not the catt bot a targe
Motto Translation: Touch not the cat without a shield.