McConwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of McConwell

What does the name McConwell mean?

Hundreds of years ago, the Gaelic name used by the McConwell family in Ireland was Mac Conmhaoil.

Early Origins of the McConwell family

The surname McConwell was first found in the county of Derry, where they held a family seat, some say, they were descended from the Cenel Eoghain, (Clan Owen) the great northern tribe who were descended from Eoghan, son of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, (who lived about 365 A.D.) progenitor of the O'Neills. This ancient and distinguished tribe settled in Tyrone and Derry.

Early History of the McConwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McConwell research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1620 and 1845 are included under the topic Early McConwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McConwell Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname McConwell were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. McConville, McConvill, McConwell, McConwel, Conwell, Conville, Convill, Convilles, Conwells, MacConville, MacConvill, MacConwell and many more.

Early Notables of the McConwell family

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

Migration of the McConwell family

To escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, thousands of Irish left their homeland in the 19th century. These migrants typically settled in communities throughout the East Coast of North America, but also joined the wagon trains moving out to the Midwest. Ironically, when the American War of Independence began, many Irish settlers took the side of England, and at the war's conclusion moved north to Canada. These United Empire Loyalists, were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Other Irish immigrants settled in Newfoundland, the Ottawa Valley, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, however, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America and Australia. Many of those numbers, however, did not live through the long sea passage. These Irish settlers to North America were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name McConwell or a variant listed above, including: Arthur McConvill who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; followed by John McConvill in 1869; and Henry McConvill in 1870; and Thomas McConvill in 1873.

The McConwell 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: Age in aeternum
Motto Translation: Do forever