McChain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of McChain

What does the name McChain mean?

All Irish surnames have a unique and often romantic meaning. The name McChain originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Seain, which translates as son of John.

Early Origins of the McChain family

The surname McChain was first found in County Kerry (Irish:Ciarraí) part of the former County Desmond (14th-17th centuries), located in Southwestern Ireland, in Munster province, where they were granted lands by Strongbow when he invaded Ireland in 1172.

Early History of the McChain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McChain research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1750 is included under the topic Early McChain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McChain Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name McChain family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include McShane, McShain, McShaen, MacShane, MacShain, MacShaen, MacCheyne, McCheyne, McSheyne, MacSheyne, McCheine, McChain, MacCheine, MacChain, McChein, McShaney, McShanie and many more.

Early Notables of the McChain family

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

Migration of the McChain family

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name McChain: John and Joseph McShain settled in Philadelphia in 1860.