Surname McHowan - Meaning and Origin
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McHowan: What does the surname McHowan mean?
The last name McHowan is a surname that is believed to be of Scottish origin. It is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic term "Mac an Chobhain," which roughly translates to "son of the smith" or "son of the blacksmith." This surname likely originated with an ancestor of the McHowan family who was a blacksmith or metalworker.
The McHowan family is believed to be descended from an ancient Pictish tribe that inhabited Scotland in the Midlands region prior to the 8th century. As a result, they likely moved to Britain in that period and settled in the areas of Aberdeenshire and Fife in the Northern Highlands. Evidence suggests that the family may also have roots in Southern Ireland.
The McHowan surname is fairly rare, with only a few families bearing the name today. Over the centuries, the McHowan family has likely travelled away from Scotland and the UK, and can be found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
McHowan is a surname that is steeped in history and reflects the rich culture of Scotland. It is a reminder of the past, and a source of pride for those who carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisMcHowan: Where does the name McHowan come from?
The McHowan surname is common in the United Kingdom and Ireland, particularly Scotland. The family name has been traced to the 12th century and is of Scottish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old Gaelic “Mac each oma”, which means “son of each oma”.
McHowan families are believed to have descended from the ancient Pictish and Celtic settler populations in Scotland. In Scotland, the McHowan name is most commonly associated with the Highland regions, but descendants of the family can be found in many places.
The McHowan surname is also found in other parts of the world, including Ireland, the United States, Australia, and Canada. It is particularly common in Canada, where it has been recorded since the 19th century.
The McHowan family of Scotland has a long and illustrious history that can be traced through several generations. The family has produced a number of well-known figures, including the novelist and playwright Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s father, John McHowan, was born in the village of Wandell in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The McHowan name is still quite common in Scotland today, and many members of the family can be found within Scotland and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname McHowan
The surname McHowan is of Gaelic origin and can be spelled a variety of ways, including MacHughan, MacHowan, McHughane. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Mac Aodhagain' which translates to 'son of Aodhagain'.
Variants of the McHowan surname include MacEoghain, MacHughane, MacHowan, MacHouhan, MacHoughan, MacHughen, Machuahan, McAuhan and McHugen. These variant spellings often denote different lines of descent within the same clan, but all ultimately have the same origin and meaning.
The Clan McHowan is associated with many families in Ireland, such as Canny, O’Farrell and O’Donovan. In addition, other clans in Scotland, such as MacAoidh, McAulay, MacCuaig and MacLellan, are thought to be derived from the McHowan clan.
The McHowan surname can also be found in places outside of Ireland and Scotland, such as in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The McHowan surname has also been anglicized into other surnames such as McGowan, McGown, Goffan, Gehan and Gowan.
Famous people with the name McHowan
- Colin McHowan: animated movie director and writer, known for The Space Between Us and The Secret World of Arrietty
- Devin McHowan: Professional American football player
- Michael McHowan: American Actor, lead role in Jeepers Creepers 3
- Molly McHowan: Illustrator, painter, and graphic designer
- Patrick McHowan: singer, songwriter and producer, released debut album in 2002 titled Grateful
- Skylar McHowan: professional ballet dancer of The Pacific Northwest Ballet Company
- Victor McHowan: Producer, singer and songwriter, has over 50 records released since 2013
- Grant McHowan: Football defensive tackle, currently playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines
- Jeff McHowan: former professional Basketball player, played for Seattle SuperSonics in 1999
- Bill McHowan: CEO and co-founder of Santa Monica-based video game developer, Jam City