Surname MacCowan - Meaning and Origin

MacCowan: What does the surname MacCowan mean?

The last name MacCowan is a Scottish clan name derived from both the Gaelic and Pictish languages. It has two distinct origin points, depending on the root of the family surname. The Gaelic version, 'Macghobhainn', translates as ‘son of the blacksmith’ and the Pictish version meaning ‘son of the black-haired one’.

MacCowans are believed to have descended from King Aidan of Dalraida who reigned in the sixth century. They were originally located in the Argyll district, Scotland, and have a very long history of clan loyalty and military prowess in defense of their hereditary territories. Their memorial stone is found at Stonefield, Kintyre, and there is an impressive burial cairn at Aros, Mull.

The Maccowan clan motto is 'Signo Vitae Viresco', meaning 'Under the Sign of Life, I Flourish'. Today, the last name MacCowan is widely present in the Canadian and American countries, due to the large influx of Scots-Irish immigrants in the 18th century.

MacCowans were strong warriors and respected members of their community. They are believed to be descendants of the ancient Britons of Scotland and were a large factor in the development of Scotland from its earliest settlements. Despite their long history, today, the descendants of the MacCowans still maintain an immense loyalty for their Highlands origins, even though they are now dispersed globally.

MacCowan: Where does the name MacCowan come from?

The last name MacCowan is most commonly associated with Clan MacDowall, one of the historically significant Scottish Clans which is part of the greater lowland Clans group. Today, members of Clan MacDowall and those of the MacCowan line can be found all across the globe.

The MacCowan line is thought to have originated in the Argyll area of Scotland, which lies on the western coast of the country. It is believed that the original MacCowans were a branch of the Macdowalls who inhabited the area around the same time. The name was believed to originate from a family that lived in the MacDowall area, and their descendant would have taken up the name.

Clan MacDowall is still very active today, with a headquarters based in the United Kingdom. Those of the MacCowan line are encouraged to join the Clan and contribute to Clan activities. They often attend meetings and social gatherings, as well as participate in a variety of Clan-appointed jobs, such as acting as a chieftain or archivist.

The MacCowan line is also found in many other parts of the world. For example, there is a large community in Canada who claim to be of MacCowan descent that trace their lineage back to the original Clan members. They often participate in various Highland Games and other traditional activities, in addition to celebrating the Scottish culture in their local community. Other major MacCowan communities can be found in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacCowan

The surname MacCowan has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include MacCowan, MacCowen, MacGowan, MacGowen, MacGowin, MacGowing, MacKewan, MacKowen, MacKowing, MacKown, MacKowin, MacKowne, McKowan, and McKowen.

MacCowan is a Scottish surname that evolved from an ancient Gaelic personal name Comhghain which is believed to come from the terms comh or mutual and gain or love. Through the ages, the name has been changed and spelled in various forms, such as MacComhghain, MacGowan, MacGowen, MacKewan, MacKowen, MacKowin, and MacKown. The reason behind this change is rooted in a language shift in Scotland from Gaelic to English.

The Irish version of MacCowan is spelled as MacComhghain and is believed to have been taken from the Irish Mac CANN ("son of CANN"), which originally stemmed from the Gaelic term "caim". In Scotland, the surname is more commonly spelled as MacGowan, with MacGowen being another variant.

MacCowen is another found variant of this family name. It stems from Mac an Bhreatnach, meaning "son of the Briton" in Irish, and it is likely that the name originated in County Fermanagh, Ulster in the 17th century.

MacKown, MacKowing and McKowen are also variants of this family name. These spellings are believed to derive from the Scottish MacCouhon, which was possibly based on the Gaelic MacIomhuinn or "son of fairness".

McKowan is another variant of MacCowan. This spelling is believed to come from MacKeown, which is a Scots-Irish name that is derived from the debated Gaelic Ó Caomháin or "descendant of Caomhán".

Overall, there is a great deal of variety in the different spellings and surnames of the same origin for the MacCowan surname.

Famous people with the name MacCowan

• Noah MacCowan: Actor/writer from Toronto, Canada.
• Edwin Francis MacCowan: British philosopher and historian.
• Owen A. MacCowan: Ruskin College head worker and Labor Party politician.
• Terence MacCowan: British field hockey player.
• Tory Gillis MacCowan: Canadian actor and producer.
• Harry Campbell MacCowan: Scottish architect and Civil Engineer.
• Tom MacCowan: Scottish Liberal Party Member of Parliament.
• Irvin MacCowan: Canadian politician and British Columbia Cabinet Minister.
• Margaret MacCowan: Canadian teacher and suffragette.
• Eric B. MacCowan: American writer and railroad engineer.
• Donald MacCowan: Canadian soldier and World War I vet.
• Anne L. MacCowan: American writer and activist.
• David F. MacCowan: Scottish historian and librarian.
• Ronald O. MacCowan: Canadian mathematician and cryptanalyst.
• Brube MacCowan: Scottish professional footballer.
• Arthur W. MacCowan: Scottish furniture manufacturer and brewer.
• Edward MacCowan: English actor and theater director in Canada.
• Robert M. MacCowan: Canadian politician and lawyer.
• Bill MacCowan: Canadian ice hockey player and coach.
• Gillian MacCowan: Canadian singer-songwriter, actress and author.

Other surnames

MacCowenMacCowin