MacQuien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacQuien

What does the name MacQuien mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the MacQuien family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. 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 MacQuien family

The surname MacQuien 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 MacQuien family

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

MacQuien Spelling Variations

In various documents MacQuien has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacQueen, MacQueon, MacSween, MacSwene, MacSweyne, MacSwan, MacCunn and many more.

Early Notables of the MacQuien 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 MacQuien Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacQuien family to Ireland

Some of the MacQuien 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 MacQuien 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 MacQuien 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 MacQuien 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