Show ContentsMcAuslan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the Scottish west coast, the McAuslan family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic form of Absolom, which means peace. Historically this name can be found in The Bible, as the name of the third son of King David, who was killed for rebellion against his father.

Early Origins of the McAuslan family

The surname McAuslan 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 held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McAuslan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McAuslan research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1421, 1692, 1716, 1766 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McAuslan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McAuslan 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. McAuslan has appeared as MacAuslan, MacAslan, MacAsland, MacAusland, MacAuslane, Mac Auslin, MacCauslan, MacCausland, MacCauseland and many more.

Early Notables of the McAuslan family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Baron Alexander MacAuslan who reputedly killed the Duke of Clarence, brother of King Henry V of England at the Battle of Beauge in Normandy in 1421.Further to the south in Wales, William Caslon the Elder (1692-1766), the famous type-founder, was born in 1692 at Cradley, Worcestershire, near Halesowen, Shropshire. He served his apprenticeship to...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McAuslan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McAuslan family to Ireland

Some of the McAuslan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 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 McAuslan family

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 McAuslan were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: James MacCausland settled in Philadelphia in 1820; Andrew MacCausland settled in Philadelphia in 1773; Conolly, James, John, Oliver, Susannah, and William MacCausland all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860..


Contemporary Notables of the name McAuslan (post 1700) +

  • Kim McAuslan, New Zealand modeler, known for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and Thunderbirds Are Go (2015)
  • Sharon Elizabeth Couper McAuslan QSO (1945-2019), born Sharon Elizabeth Couper Rutherford, a New Zealand jurist, Judge of the District Court from 1995 to 2015
  • Cameron Lachlan McAuslan (b. 1998), Hong Kong cricketer, named in Hong Kong's squad for the 2018 Asia Cup Qualifier tournament in 2018
  • Peter McAuslan, Canadian president and founder of La Brasserie McAuslan Inc in 1989

HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Arthur Robert McAuslan (1902-1941), Australian Chief Engine Room Artificer from Frankston, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 1


The McAuslan 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: Audaces juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the bold.


  1. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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