Show ContentsWeen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ween family

The surname Ween was first found in Fife, where they held a family seat from very ancient times as Lords of the Castle of Wemyss, so named from the Gaelic word Uamch (a cave) derived from the lands and cliffs in which caves abound on the seashore.

Early History of the Ween family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ween research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1251, 1286, 1484, 1579, 1596, 1605, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1617, 1625, 1636, 1649, 1657, 1659, 1669, 1672, 1678, 1679, 1682, 1705 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Ween History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ween Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wemyss, Weems, Wemys, Wemes and others.

Early Notables of the Ween family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Weemes (Weemse, Wemyss) (c.1579-1636), a minister at Church of Scotland, Hebrew scholar and exegete, educated at the University of St Andrews, appointed minister of Hutton, Berwickshire in 1608; John Wemyss (died 1649), the 1st Earl of Wemyss and Lord High Commissioner to the...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ween Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ween family to Ireland

Some of the Ween family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Ween migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ween Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Ween, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Charles Kerr" in 1840 1
  • Elizabeth Ween, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Charles Kerr" in 1840 1


The Ween 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: Je pense
Motto Translation: I Think.


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CHARLES KERR 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840CharlesKerr.htm


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