McQuien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of McQuien

What does the name McQuien mean?

The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name McQuien. It is derived 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 McQuien family

The surname McQuien 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 McQuien family

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

McQuien 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. McQuien has appeared as MacQueen, MacQueon, MacSween, MacSwene, MacSweyne, MacSwan, MacCunn and many more.

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

Migration of the McQuien family to Ireland

Some of the McQuien 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 McQuien family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, Clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The McQuien were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: 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 McQuien 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