McEwen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 


The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McEwen is the personal name Ewen. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eoghainn.

Early Origins of the McEwen family

The surname McEwen 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 McEwen family

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

McEwen Spelling Variations

The 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 McEwen has appeared as MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEwing, MacEuen, MacKewin, MacKewan, MacEòghainn (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the McEwen family

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

McEwen Ranking

In the United States, the name McEwen is the 3,912nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


McEwen migration to the United States +

Many 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 McEwen were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:

McEwen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
McEwen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
McEwen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McEwen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McEwen Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
McEwen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

McEwen migration to Australia +

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

McEwen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

McEwen 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:

McEwen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McEwen (post 1700) +


The McEwen 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


Suggested Readings for the name McEwen +
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