Nechtan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Nechtan

What does the name Nechtan mean?

The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the Nechtan family lived. The name Nechtan comes from the Pictish name Nechtan. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Neachdainn, which means son of Nechtan.

Early Origins of the Nechtan family

The surname Nechtan 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 lands at Lochow and Loch Fyne, called Glenera, Glenshira, and Glen Fyne.

Early History of the Nechtan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nechtan research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1247, 1431, 1438, 1565, 1614, 1627 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Nechtan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nechtan Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Nechtan has been spelled MacNaughton, McNachton, MacNaghten, MacNechten, Notton, Norton and many more.

Early Notables of the Nechtan family

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

Migration of the Nechtan family to Ireland

Some of the Nechtan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nechtan family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Nechtan: Francis Norton, who arrived in New Hampshire in 1630; Ann Norton, who settled in Virginia in 1643; Anthony Norton, who arrived in Virginia in 1670; Edward Norton, who settled in New England in 1663.

The Nechtan 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: I hope in God