Meffan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Meffan family
The surname Meffan was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they were granted lands by Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, in 1069 in the Barony of Methven.
Early History of the Meffan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meffan research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1363, 1650, 1703 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Meffan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Meffan Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Methuen, Methven, Methfyn, Methfen and others.
Early Notables of the Meffan family
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meffan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Meffan migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Meffan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Mr. David Meffan, (b. 1798), aged 21, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years for breaking into a shop, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 1
Meffan 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:
Meffan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Mr. John Meffan, (b. 1952), aged 24, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Pomona" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1876 2
- Mrs. Isa Meffan, (b. 1953), aged 23, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Pomona" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1876 2
The Meffan 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: Marte et clypeo
Motto Translation: By war and the shield.
Citations +