| ![Show Contents]() Conain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of ConainWhat does the name Conain mean? The ancient Scottish name Conain is carried by the descendents of the Pictish people. It was a name for a personal name Conan, which means little hound. The name could also be a local name from the land of Conan in Kincardinshire. 1 In this situation, the name would have been a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in that area. Early Origins of the Conain familyThe surname Conain was first found in Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of Scotland, and part of the Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, where Adam filius Conani was probably the first recording of the name in 1292. A few years later, Conan of Balquhidder rendered homage to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. John Conan de Conansythe was mentioned in 1387 and appears in 1394 as John de Conane dominus de Connansytht. William de Conane was perpetual vicar of the church of Aberbrothoc in 1394 (ibid., 42). John de Conan or Conane had a charter of a toft of Kethyk, etc., in Forfar, 1415. Duncan de Conan was juror on inquisition on lands of Tulloch, 1438, and in 1443 David de Connane or Conane had a grant of the lands of Tempilhill. David Conan witnesses an "instrament of sessyn" of the bell of S. Meddan in 1447. 1 "From the name of Conan de Glenerochy, illegitimate son of Henry, earl of Atholl, comes Cunieson, Cunison, Cunnison." 1 Early History of the Conain familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conain research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1594, 1603, 1608, 1640 and 1694 are included under the topic Early Conain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Conain Spelling VariationsTranslation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Conain has appeared Conan, Conane, Conad, Connan, Connant, Conant and others. Early Notables of the Conain familyRev. John Conant (1608-1694), an English clergyman, theologian, and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. He was the "son of Robert and Elizabeth Conant, was born at Yettington in the parish of Bicton, Devonshire...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Conain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Conain family to IrelandSome of the Conain 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. Migration of the Conain familyMany Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Conain name: Christopher Conant who settled in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1623; as did Roger and his wife in the same year; Roger Conant and his wife settled in Maine in 1623.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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