MacEoin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of MacEoin

What does the name MacEoin mean?

The MacEoin family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name MacEoin is derived from the personal name Ewen. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eoghainn.

Early Origins of the MacEoin family

The surname MacEoin 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 first found in the barony of Otter, on the shores of Loch Fyne. The eponymous ancestor of the Clan is reputed to be Eoghain na h-Oitrich, also known as 'Ewen of Otter', who lived at the beginning of the 12th century. Clear records of the Clan were found in 1219, when Gilpatrik Mac Ewen measured the borders of his lands in Kynblathmund.

Early History of the MacEoin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacEoin research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1174 and 1219 are included under the topic Early MacEoin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacEoin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. MacEoin has appeared in various documents spelled MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEwing, MacEuen, MacKewin, MacKewan, MacEòghainn (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the MacEoin family

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

Migration of the MacEoin family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacEoin or a variant listed above: Archibald MacEuen settled in New York State with his wife Janet and children in 1739; Merran MacEuen settled in New York in 1739 with his wife and daughter.

Contemporary Notables of the name MacEoin (post 1700) +

Seán MacEoin (1893-1973), Irish soldier and politician, who fought in the Irish War of Independence (1916-1921), was made a general, and was a minister in the Government of the Republic of Ireland on two occasions

The MacEoin 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: Reviresco
Motto Translation: I grow green