McEwan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 


The McEwan family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name McEwan is derived from the personal name Ewen. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eoghainn.

Early Origins of the McEwan family

The surname McEwan 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 were first found in the barony of Otter, on the shores of Loch Fyne. The eponymous ancestor of the Clan is reputed to be Eoghain na h-Oitrich, also known as 'Ewen of Otter', who lived at the beginning of the 12th century. Clear records of the Clan were found in 1219, when Gilpatrik Mac Ewen measured the borders of his lands in Kynblathmund.

Early History of the McEwan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McEwan research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1174 and 1219 are included under the topic Early McEwan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McEwan Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. McEwan has been written as MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEwing, MacEuen, MacKewin, MacKewan, MacEòghainn (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the McEwan family

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

McEwan Ranking

In the United States, the name McEwan is the 13,985th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in New Zealand, the name McEwan is ranked the 754th most popular surname with an estimated 965 people with that name. 2


McEwan migration to the United States +

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name McEwan or a variant listed above include:

McEwan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
McEwan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McEwan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McEwan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

McEwan migration to Australia +

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

McEwan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

McEwan 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:

McEwan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McEwan (post 1700) +


The McEwan 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: Reviresco
Motto Translation: I grow green
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