McKean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the McKean family. Their name comes from 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 McKean family

The surname McKean 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 McKean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKean 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 McKean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKean Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of McKean have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. MacIan, MacAne, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain and others.

Early Notables of the McKean family

Notable 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?)...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKean Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKean Ranking

In the United States, the name McKean is the 5,903^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the McKean family to Ireland

Some of the McKean family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKean migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the McKean family emigrate to North America:

McKean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Elizabeth McKean, who landed in New England in 1718 2
John McKean, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1763 2
James McKean, who arrived in America in 1767 2
David McKean, who arrived in New York in 1786 2

McKean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William McKean, who landed in South Carolina in 1810 2
Andrew McKean, who landed in America in 1811 2
Alexander McKean, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1812 2
Thomas McKean, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1820 2
Neal McKean, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKean Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robert McKean, who landed in Quebec in 1802

McKean migration to Australia +

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

McKean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Peter McKean, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 3
James McKean, English Convict from Chester, who was transported aboard the "Aboukir" on December 24, 1851, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 4

McKean 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:

McKean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas McKean, (b. 1816), aged 26, British blacksmith travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 5
Mrs. Mary Ann McKean, (b. 1815), aged 27, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 5
Miss Margaret McKean, (b. 1837), aged 5, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 5
Miss Jessie McKean, Scottish servant travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 5
J. McKean, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McKean (post 1700) +

Hugh McKean (1967-2022), American politician from Loveland, Colorado, Minority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives (2021-2022)
Stephen Ronald "Steve" McKean MNZM (1943-2021), American-born New Zealand basketball coach of the New Zealand men's national basketball team
Michael Jones McKean (b. 1976), American artist
Samuel McKean, American merchant and politician from Burlington, Pennsylvania
James B. McKean (1821-1879), New York politician and Union Army general
Thomas McKean (1734-1817), American signer of Declaration of Independence
Frank A. McKean, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, 1878 6
Edgar D. McKean, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1952, 1956, 1960 6
Dayton D. McKean, American Democratic Party politician, New Hampshire Democratic State Chair, 1949 6
Arthur McKean, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1952, 1956 6
... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)