Show ContentsCapín History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Capín

What does the name Capín mean?

The ancestors of the Capín family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the son of the blond one, or son of Alpin.

Early Origins of the Capín family

The surname Capín 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 descended from King Kenneth MacAlpin who was murdered by the Picts near Dundee in the year 834. MacAlpin is generally considered to have been the first king to rule both Scots and Picts, and as such, was the first king of Scotland.

Further to the south, the variant Alby hailed from Alby, a parish, in the union of Aylsham, hundred of South Erpingham, E. division of Norfolk. "This place, which was anciently called Oslby, is intersected by the road from Aylsham to Cromer, and includes the hamlets of Alby Common and Alby Hill." 1

Early History of the Capín family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Capín research. Another 194 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1395, 1405, 1531, 1557, 1658, 1692 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Capín History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Capín Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Capín has been spelled MacAlpine, MacAlpin, MacAilpein (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Capín family

Sir John MacAlpin; John MacAlpine (Latin: Maccabeus) (died 1557), a Scottish Protestant theologian; and Joseph Capen (1658-1725), a Massachusetts clergyman who during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 he signed...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Capín Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Capín family to Ireland

Some of the Capín family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Capín migration to Australia +

Capín Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Adolphus Capin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1849 2
  • Joseph Capin (aged 21), a mason, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Gomelza"


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The BOLTON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Bolton.htm


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