Show ContentsEuan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Euan

What does the name Euan mean?

The west coast of Scotland and the rocky Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the Euan family. The root of their name is the personal name Ewen. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Eoghainn.

Early Origins of the Euan family

The surname Euan 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 were first found in the barony of Otter, on the shores of Loch Fyne. The eponymous ancestor of the Clan is reputed to be Eoghain na h-Oitrich, also known as 'Ewen of Otter', who lived at the beginning of the 12th century. Clear records of the Clan were found in 1219, when Gilpatrik Mac Ewen measured the borders of his lands in Kynblathmund.

Early History of the Euan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Euan research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1174 and 1219 are included under the topic Early Euan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Euan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. Euan has appeared in various documents spelled MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEwing, MacEuen, MacKewin, MacKewan, MacEòghainn (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Euan family

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

Migration of the Euan family

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Euan or a variant listed above: Archibald MacEuen settled in New York State with his wife Janet and children in 1739; Merran MacEuen settled in New York in 1739 with his wife and daughter.


Contemporary Notables of the name Euan (post 1700) +

  • Euan James Stuart MacDonald MBE (1974-2024), Scottish businessman
  • Sir Euan David Vansittart Bowater (b. 1935), 3rd Baronet
  • Euan Lloyd (1923-2016), British film producer
  • Euan Macnaughton, Scottish actor, known for his work on Welcome II the Terrordome (1995), Family Affairs (1997) and L is for Lala (2011)
  • Euan Norris (b. 1977), Scottish football referee
  • Euan Robson (b. 1954), Scottish Liberal Democrat


The Euan 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: Reviresco
Motto Translation: I grow green


Houseofnames.com on Facebook