Cuaan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Cuaan

What does the name Cuaan mean?

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Cuaan family. Their name comes from Suibhne, an old Gaelic forename which probably means good-going or well-going. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Shuibhne.

Early Origins of the Cuaan family

The surname Cuaan was first found in on the Isles of Skye and Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they were originally a branch of the MacDonalds of Clanranald. But although the MacQueens held lands of Garafad on the Isle of Skye for several centuries it is likely that the first MacQueen was the Lord of Knapdale in Argyllshire who held Castle Sween.

Early History of the Cuaan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cuaan research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1411 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Cuaan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuaan Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Cuaan has been written as MacQueen, MacQueon, MacSween, MacSwene, MacSweyne, MacSwan, MacCunn and many more.

Early Notables of the Cuaan family

MacQueen of Pall à Chrocain, a legendary Highland deer stalker popularly believed to have slain the last wolf Tarnaway Forest in the province of Morayshire in 1743. Apparently, he received a message from his chief, the Laird of Clan Mackintosh, that a black wolf had killed two children. He arrived late for the meeting, received a tirade from his chief only to reveal from under his garment the head of the wolf. He described the event as follows: "As I came through the slochk (ravine) by...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cuaan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cuaan family to Ireland

Some of the Cuaan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cuaan family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cuaan or a variant listed above: Alexander, David, Dugald, Dun, Hector, John McQueen all settled in South Carolina in 1716; John McQueen was banished from the west of England in 1685 to New Jersey..

The Cuaan 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: Constant and faithful