The annals of Scottish history reveal that the name MacCowden began in the
Boernician tribe of the Scottish-English border region. The MacCowden family lived in Ayrshire.
Early Origins of the MacCowden family
The surname MacCowden was first found in
Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of
Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North
Ayrshire, where they held a
family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the
Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Early History of the MacCowden family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCowden research.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCowden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacCowden Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Cowan, Cowans, Cowen, Cowens, MacCowan, MacCowden and many more.
Early Notables of the MacCowden family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early MacCowden Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacCowden family to Ireland
Some of the MacCowden family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 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 MacCowden family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Barbara Cowan who settled in New Jersey in 1685; along with Marjorie; Andrew Cowan settled in South Carolina in 1772; Alexander Cowan settled in New York City in 1774.
The MacCowden 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: Sic itur in altum
Motto Translation: This is the way to heaven.