Clan MacEwen or Clan MacEwan is a
Scottish clan
A Scottish clan (from Goidelic languages, Gaelic , literally 'children', more broadly 'kindred') is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official ...
recorded in the fifteenth century as
Clan Ewen of Otter.
Historically, there have been several different MacEwen clans and
sept
A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ( ...
s, with some distinct, and some interrelated, origins for the modern surname. Each of these historical clans could be described by the name, "Clan MacEwen" or, at times, "Clan Ewen". Since the death of Swene MacEwen in 1493, the clan has not had a
chief
Chief may refer to:
Title or rank
Military and law enforcement
* Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force
* Chief of police, the head of a police department
* Chief of the boa ...
recognized by either the members, or the
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grant ...
, and as such Clan MacEwen is considered an
Armigerous clan
An armigerous clan (from armiger) is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognised as such by Lyon Court. Befor ...
.
As of 2020, members of Clan MacEwen Society, UK have agreed to elect a Commander,
Sir John Roderick Hugh McEwen, 5th Baronet (born 1965), of Marchmont and Bardrochat, who is proposed as the first Chief to potentially be recognized by the Lord Lyon since the death of Swene MacEwen.
The
McEwen Baronet title was created in 1953 by Queen
Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
for his father, Conservative politician
Sir John McEwen, 1st Baronet
Sir John Helias Finnie McEwen, 1st Baronet (21 June 1894 – 19 April 1962), also known as Jock McEwen, was a British Unionist politician who served in the House of Commons as Conservative Member of Parliament for Berwick and Haddington from ...
.
[ Historically, these McEwens held lands in Bardrochat in Carrick.] These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.
There are also other clan societies organized under the Ewen, Ewing, and MacEwan names.[
]
Historical MacEwen Clans and Septs
The name "MacEwen
The Scottish surname MacEwen derives from the Old Gaelic ''Mac Eoghainn'', meaning 'the son of Eoghann'. The name is found today in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Because it was widely used before its spelling was standardised, the modern n ...
" comes from one of the many anglicised
Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...
spellings of the Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...
name, MacEòghainn, which means, "son of Eòghann", and could have arisen independently at different times throughout history. There are dozens of spelling variations of the original MacEòghainn name that have been recorded. Several possible clans and septs have likely taken their surname from men named Eòghann. The origins below can be found in Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
, while others can be found in Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
.
;Clan Ewen of Otter
The MacEwen lords of Otter appear sporadically in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century records. The genealogy of the clan is recorded in MS 1467
MS 1467, earlier known as MS 1450, is a mediaeval Gaelic manuscript which contains numerous pedigrees for many prominent Scottish individuals and clans. Transcriptions of the genealogies within the text were first published in the early 19th cent ...
, now held by the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) ( gd, Leabharlann Nàiseanta na h-Alba, sco, Naitional Leebrar o Scotland) is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. As one of the largest libraries in the ...
. The last MacEwen of Otter was Swene MacEwen, on whose death in 1493 the barony passed into Campbell Campbell may refer to:
People Surname
* Campbell (surname), includes a list of people with surname Campbell
Given name
* Campbell Brown (footballer), an Australian rules footballer
* Campbell Brown (journalist) (born 1968), American television ne ...
overlordship.
;MacEwens in Galloway
There have been MacEwens in Galloway
Galloway ( ; sco, Gallowa; la, Gallovidia) is a region in southwestern Scotland comprising the historic counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. It is administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway.
A native or i ...
since 1331 (apparently before the first MacEwens of Otter), when one Patrick McEwyn was Provost of Wigtown
Wigtown ( (both used locally); gd, Baile na h-Ùige) is a town and former royal burgh in Wigtownshire, of which it is the county town, within the Dumfries and Galloway region in Scotland. It lies east of Stranraer and south of Newton Stewart. I ...
. According to tradition, these McEwens fought alongside the Sheriff of Wigtown's clan, the Agnews of Lochnaw, against the Black Douglas in a feud over the Sheriffdom of Galloway in the middle of the fifteenth century.
;MacEwens of MacDougall
Many MacEwens still preserve a tradition of descent from Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan, historically based in and around Argyll. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in Scotland, issuing new grants of coats of arms, and serving as ...
, and a MacEwen sept
A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ( ...
has been acknowledged by the MacDougall chiefs. In particular, it is known that MacEwan of Muckley (the first armiger with the MacEwen name) was descended from Ewen Mor MacDougall, brother of the MacDougall of Lorne. MacEwens in the area of Perthshire and Loch Tay were therefore considered to be a part of Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan, historically based in and around Argyll. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in Scotland, issuing new grants of coats of arms, and serving as ...
.[Maclagan, Robert Craig, 1905, ''The Perth Incident of 1396'', Edinburgh & London (Blackwood)]
;MacEwens of Clan Cameron
During the sixteenth century, a group of Camerons were also known as 'Clan Ewyne'. The leader of this clan was Donald Mac Ewen Vic Ewen Cameron of Erracht who was killed in 1570, and his followers took the MacEwen name. The Gaelic name for this sept is ''Sliochd Eoghain 'ic Eoghain''. MacEwens who took part in the Moyness Raid of 1598 were members of this clan.
;MacEwan bardic family
The MacEwan bardic family was a prominent learned kindred that practiced classical Gaelic poetry, recognized as one of the "families of the filidh." The family served the MacDougalls of Lorne, and later the Campbells of Argyll.[ Accessed via ]Google Books
Google Books (previously known as Google Book Search, Google Print, and by its code-name Project Ocean) is a service from Google Inc. that searches the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text using optical c ...
. The MacEwans, like other prominent bardic families employed by Scottish lords, were likely of Irish origin. Their use of the rare personal name ''Athairne'' suggests that they were a branch of the Irish O'Hosey (''Ó hEoghusa'') bardic family. A branch of the MacEwan bardic family may have been the MacEwan family of harpers, recorded in the mid-sixteenth century.
Dubious historical traditions
It is frequently stated that an Act of Parliament
Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...
of 1602 lists MacEwens beside MacLachlans and McNeils, as vassals
A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain. W ...
of the Earl of Argyll
Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...
and answerable to him for their behaviour.
Highland lore among Clan MacLachlan is that after Sween MacEwen's death, Clan MacLachlan
Clan Maclachlan, also known as Clan Lachlan, (Argyll), and , is a Highland Scottish clan that historically centred on the lands of Strathlachlan (Srath Lachainn "Valley of Lachlan") on Loch Fyne, Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. offered to serve in the role as protectorate to their MacEwen cousins, as the two clans have historically been allies and relatives. In this spirit, Clan Maclachlan traditionally extends membership to MacEwens.[Clan MacEwen - Both A Clan and A Protectorate]
/ref>
According to the 19th-century historian James Logan, in General Wade
Field Marshal George Wade (1673 – 14 March 1748) was a British Army officer who served in the Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession, Jacobite rising of 1715 and War of the Quadruple Alliance before leading the construction of barra ...
's statement of the Highland forces engaged in the Jacobite rising of 1715
The Jacobite rising of 1715 ( gd, Bliadhna Sheumais ;
or 'the Fifteen') was the attempt by James Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender) to regain the thrones of England, Ireland and Scotland for the exiled Stuarts
The House of Stuart, ori ...
, the MacEwens of the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, or simply Skye (; gd, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or ; sco, Isle o Skye), is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous hub dominated ...
were recorded to have summoned 150 men.
;The McEwen baronets
The McEwen Baronet title was created by Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
on 28 January 1953 for the Conservative politician John McEwen
Sir John McEwen, (29 March 1900 – 20 November 1980) was an Australian politician who served as the 18th prime minister of Australia, holding office from 1967 to 1968 in a caretaker capacity after the disappearance of Harold Holt. He was the ...
, who served as Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 1939 to 1940.[''Who's Who 1960'' p.1896.][ Historically, these McEwens held lands in Bardrochat in Carrick.] These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter. It is from this line that Sir John Roderick Hugh McEwen, 5th Baronet (born 1965), who has been nominated as Commander by the UK clan society, descends.[
]
Modern clan symbolism
;Crest badge
Many clansfolk today wear a crest badge
A Scottish crest badge is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to an individual or membership in a specific Scottish clan. Crest badges are commonly called "clan crests", but this is a misnomer; there is no such thing as a collective ''clan' ...
to show allegiance to their particular clan. Crest badges usually consist of strap-and-buckle surrounding the clan chief's heraldic crest
A crest is a component of a heraldic display, consisting of the device borne on top of the helm. Originating in the decorative sculptures worn by knights in tournaments and, to a lesser extent, battles, crests became solely pictorial after the ...
, with the chief's motto
A motto (derived from the Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organisation. Mot ...
written within the strap. Since the clan revival of the early nineteenth century, many MacEwens have adopted the crest of a large oak stump, clearly the base of what was once a large oak tree, that despite having been cut down is now sprouting new branches. The banner accompanying the image bears the Latin motto ''REVIRESCO'' ("I grow green / verdant / strong again"). This crest badge is not derived from the arms of a previous chief of the clan, but appears to have been in use among the Galloway McEwens from an early date.
This crest and motto are recorded in the Arms
Arms or ARMS may refer to:
*Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body
Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to:
People
* Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader
Coat of arms or weapons
*Armaments or weapons
**Fi ...
of the McEwen Baronets
The McEwen Baronetcy, of Marchmont in the County of Berwick, and Bardrochat in the County of Ayr, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 28 January 1953 for the Conservative politician John McEwen, by Elizabeth II. ...
(McEwen of Marchmont and Bardrochat). These McEwens held lands in Bardrochat in Carrick. The McEwen Baronets may not have any connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.
;Tartan
MacEwen tartan closely resembles Farquharson and MacLeod of Harris. The sett is similar to Campbell of Loudon tartan except that a red stripe is substituted for white. MacEwen tartan also strongly resembles the Clan Colquhoun
Clan Colquhoun ( gd, Clann a' Chombaich ) is a Scottish clan.
History
Origins of the clan
The lands of the clan Colquhoun are on the shores of Loch Lomond. During the reign of Alexander II, Umphredus de Kilpatrick received from Malduin ...
tartan except that the Colquhoun tartan has all red stripes instead of the yellow McEwen stripe and Colqhoun plaid has white border stripes around the blue and green squares.["Scottish Register of Tartans", ''STWR ref:274 Designer: Wilsons of Bannockburn The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "Colquhoun #2" tartan'']
Current moves to appoint a chief
On 27 February 2012, the Lord Lyon announced his intention to appoint a Supervising Officer to oversee a future Family Convention or Derbhfine "for those of the acEwenname, broadly defined . . . with a view to the recognition of a Commander." On 11 October 2012, the Lord Lyon announced the appointment of the Honourable Adam Bruce
The Honourable Adam Robert Bruce (born 18 January 1968) is a Scottish solicitor, businessman, and aristocrat who serves as an officer of Arms at the Court of the Lord Lyon.
Education
Bruce was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the second son ...
, Marchmont Herald of Arms, as Supervising Officer for the Family Convention.
, members of the Clan MacEwen Society, UK have elected a Commander, Sir John R.H McEwen, 5th Baronet of Marchmont and Bardrochat, who is line to become the first Chief since the death of Swene MacEwen, in 1493.[ Sir John the 5th inherits his ]Baronet
A baronet ( or ; abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (, , or ; abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the British Crown. The title of baronet is mentioned as early as the 14th ...
title from his grandfather, Sir John McEwen, 1st Baronet
Sir John Helias Finnie McEwen, 1st Baronet (21 June 1894 – 19 April 1962), also known as Jock McEwen, was a British Unionist politician who served in the House of Commons as Conservative Member of Parliament for Berwick and Haddington from ...
, for whom the modern McEwen Baronet title was created by the Queen of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional form of government by which a hereditary sovereign reigns as the head of state of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies (the Bailiwi ...
in 1953.[ These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.] Clan Ewing has chosen to go their own way and form their own organisation.[Ewing, David Neal,]
A Chief for Clan Ewen?
''Ewing Family Journal'', Vol. 17, No. 1 (February 2011)
See also
*Scottish clan
A Scottish clan (from Goidelic languages, Gaelic , literally 'children', more broadly 'kindred') is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official ...
* Clan Ewen of Otter
References
External links
Clan MacEwen website
{{DEFAULTSORT:MacEwen
Scottish clans
Armigerous clans