Show ContentsFaydent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Faydent

What does the name Faydent mean?

The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Faydent family. Their name comes from the personal name Paidean. The Gaelic forms of the surname are Mac Phadein or Mac Phaidin, both of which mean son of Paidean or little Pat. 1

Early Origins of the Faydent family

The surname Faydent was first found in Kintyre, where the late Rev. J. G. Campbell says: "MacFadyens were said to have been the first possessors of Lochbuie, and when expelled they became a race of wandering artificers, Sliochd nan or-cheard-the race of goldsmiths in Mull."

"The earliest record of the name is in 1304 when Malcolm Macpadene appears as a charter witness at Achichendone in Kintyre. Conghan MacPaden petitioned for the archdeaconry of Argyll in 1390. John McFadyeane is in record in Edinburgh in 1457, and in 1473 a composition was made with Donald M'Fadzeane in Kirkcudbright." 1

Early History of the Faydent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Faydent research. Another 417 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1499, 1507, 1511, 1532, 1540, 1618, 1620, 1628, 1641, 1643, 1672, 1675, 1681, 1684, 1733, 1737, 1741, 1769, 1794 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Faydent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Faydent 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, Faydent has been spelled McFadyen, Fadden, Fadyen, Faden, McFadin, Fadin, McFadwyn, Fadwyn, McFadyean, McFadyon, McFayden, Feyden and many more.

Early Notables of the Faydent family

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

Migration of the Faydent family to Ireland

Some of the Faydent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 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 Faydent family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Faydents to arrive on North American shores: Alexander, Andrew, Bernard, Catherine, Charles, Cornelius, Daniel, Dennis, Douglas, Edward, Fergus, Francis, George, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Robert, Samuel, Thomas, William McFadden, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1865. Andrew, Edward, James, Thomas McFaden settled in New Hampshire in 1718.



  1. 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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