McNaughton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the McNaughton family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name McNaughton is derived from the Pictish name Nechtan. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Neachdainn, which means son of Nechtan.

Early Origins of the McNaughton family

The surname McNaughton 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 lands at Lochow and Loch Fyne, called Glenera, Glenshira, and Glen Fyne.

Early History of the McNaughton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McNaughton research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1247, 1431, 1438, 1565, 1614, 1627 and 1691 are included under the topic Early McNaughton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNaughton 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. McNaughton has been spelled MacNaughton, McNachton, MacNaghten, MacNechten, Notton, Norton and many more.

Early Notables of the McNaughton family

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

McNaughton Ranking

In the United States, the name McNaughton is the 10,866^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in New Zealand, the name McNaughton is ranked the 922^nd most popular surname with an estimated 804 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McNaughton family to Ireland

Some of the McNaughton 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.

McNaughton 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 McNaughton:

McNaughton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander McNaughton, who settled in America in 1738
Alexander McNaughton, who arrived in New York in 1738 3
Eleanor McNaughton, who arrived in New York in 1738 3
Jeanette McNaughton, who arrived in New York in 1738 3
John McNaughton, who landed in New York in 1738 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNaughton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christine McNaughton, who arrived in New York in 1802 3
Elizabeth McNaughton, who landed in New York in 1803 3
Janet McNaughton, who arrived in New York in 1804 3
Alex McNaughton, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1809
Francis McNaughton, aged 28, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1850 3

McNaughton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Albert Joseph McNaughton, who settled in Kansas in 1925

McNaughton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McNaughton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Donald McNaughton U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 4
Mr. Donald McNaughton U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 4
Mr. John McNaughton U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 4

McNaughton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ann Playstowe McNaughton, who settled in New Brunswick sometime between 1808 and 1893
Malcolm McNaughton, aged 33, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
John McNaughton, aged 32, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
William McNaughton, aged 2, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
Margaret McNaughton, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNaughton migration to Australia +

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

McNaughton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Duncan McNaughton, aged 30, a shepherd, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 5
John McNaughton, aged 25, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "John Bunyan" 6
Duncan McNaughton, aged 29, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "James Fernie" 7
George McNaughton, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Switzerland"
Thomas McNaughton, aged 17, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Switzerland"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNaughton 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:

McNaughton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mary McNaughton, aged 29, a dressmaker, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
Laurence McNaughton, aged 7, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
Mrs. Mary McNaughton, (b. 1811), aged 29, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 8
Mr. Laurance McNaughton, (b. 1833), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 8
Mr. Alexander Mcnaughton, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1858 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McNaughton (post 1700) +

William John McNaughton (1926-2020), American-born Catholic missionary and Bishop.of the Incheon
Bill McNaughton, American actor, known for The Flash (2014), Queen Jane and the Wizard (2017) and I Killed My Neighbours (2017)
Samuel Joseph McNaughton (b. 1939), American ecologist and professor at Syracuse University
Mark S. McNaughton (b. 1963), American former politician, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1997-2006)
Gordon Joseph McNaughton (1910-1942), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox during the 1932 season
Donald McNaughton (1830-1893), American lawyer and politician, Member of the New York State Senate (1888-1891), Chief Executive Officer of the New York State World's Fair Commission in 1892
Brian McNaughton (1935-2004), American writer of horror and fantasy fiction
John McNaughton (b. 1950), American award winning film director, known for Wild Things (1998), Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) and Mad Dog and Glory (1993)
Major-General Kenneth Perry McNaughton (1903-1975), American Deputy Commanding General Far East Air Force (1953-1956) 10
Charles H. McNaughton, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Saratoga County, 1895-96
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)