On the Scottish west coast, the MacGapane family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from
the son of the blond one, or
son of Alpin.Early Origins of the MacGapane family
The surname MacGapane 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 descended from King Kenneth MacAlpin who was murdered by the
Picts near Dundee in the year 834. MacAlpin is generally considered to have been the first king to rule both Scots and
Picts, and as such, was the first king of Scotland.
Early History of the MacGapane family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGapane research.
Another 385 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1395, 1405, 1531, 1557, 1658, 1725 and 1692 are included under the topic Early MacGapane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacGapane Spelling Variations
In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of
spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. MacGapane has appeared as MacAlpine, MacAlpin, MacAilpein (Gaelic) and others.
Early Notables of the MacGapane family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the
Clan from early times was Sir John MacAlpin; John MacAlpine (Latin: Maccabeus) (died 1557), a Scottish Protestant theologian; and Joseph Capen (1658-1725), a Massachusetts clergyman who during...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGapane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacGapane family to Ireland
Some of the MacGapane family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 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 MacGapane family to the New World and Oceana
These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American
War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The MacGapane were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Robert MacAlpin, who settled in New York State in 1740; William MacAlpine settled in New York in 1774; Hugh and James MacAlpin settled in New York in 1811. James Alpin was registered as a United Empire Loyalist..