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 name has several common variations. The earliest attested use is by a Malcolm MacEwen, who witnessed a charter in 1174. The surname occurs in a number of prominent families throughout Scottish history. Although author R. S. T. MacEwen claimed that all these families, with variant spellings of the surname indicating possible differing origins, probably originated in

Clan Ewen of Otter Clan Ewen of Otter (Gaelic: ''Clann Eóghain na h-Oitrich''), was a Scottish clan which once controlled the area around Kilfinan on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll. Origin Clan Ewen of Otter claimed descent from Donnsleibhe, who was said to be ...

, the history is more complex. The name has varied heraldic traditions, reflecting the various origins. The first MacEwen armiger was granted arms in 1743, and his achievement reflects his family's origins in Clan MacDougall. However a second grant of arms in the name made in 1793 to William MacEwan of Glenboig, displays

Cameron Cameron may refer to: People * Clan Cameron, a Scottish clan * Cameron (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) * Cameron (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name) ;Mononym * Cam'ron (born 197 ...

symbolism in both its crest and its central charge. MacEwenEwan-01

If one looks at the geographic distribution of the variants MacEwan and MacEwen in the 1881 UK census, it becomes apparent that the MacEwen variant mainly occurred in the extreme northeast in Kirkwall, and at a lesser density in the adjacent Inverness shire. By contrast MacEwan occurred almost exclusively in the southwest in Paisley (around Argyll). There is no overlap of the distributions, with neither name appearing in the intervening Perth shire. Variants such as McEwan and McEwen are mainly in Perth and more southerly regions of Scotland, perhaps suggesting that these forms arose as people moved in more recent times. There are three versions of MacEwen tartan, the first of which is listed in Vestiarium Scoticum as

Farquharson Farquharson ( or ) is a surname of Scottish origin, and may refer to: *Ashley Farquharson (born 1999), American luger * Donald Farquharson (1925–2000), Welsh-Canadian sportsman * Donald Farquharson (1834–1903), Canadian politician from Prince E ...

. As of 2019, there are several recognized lineages. One society of Clan MacEwen in Scotland has elected a Commander and has petitioned the

Lord Lyon 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 ...

to have his arms and Chieftainship recognized; if successful, this would return this branch of the clan to full Clan society status after about 500 years as an armigerous clan. __NOTOC__

Notable people

;born after 1800 *

William McEwan William McEwan () (16 July 1827 – 12 May 1913) was a Scottish politician and brewer. He founded the Fountain Brewery in 1856, served as a member of parliament (MP) from 1886 to 1900, and funded the construction of the McEwan Hall at the Univ ...

(1827–1913), Scottish brewer and politician * Thomas (Tom) McEwan (1846–1914), Scottish artist *

William Macewen Sir William Macewen, (; 22 June 1848 – 22 March 1924) was a Scottish surgeon. He was a pioneer in modern brain surgery, considered the ''father of neurosurgery'' and contributed to the development of bone graft surgery, the surgical treat ...

, CB, FRS, (1848–1924), Scottish surgeon *

Alexander Robertson MacEwen Alexander R. MacEwen (1851–1916) was Scottish writer, minister, professor and Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland. Life He was born on 14 May 1856 at Edinburgh and was the son of Rev. Alexander MacEwen D.D., and Elisa Robertson. ...

(1851–1916), Scottish writer, minister, professor and Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland * John Blackwood McEwen (1868–1948), Scottish composer * Alexander MacEwen (1875–1941), leader of the Scottish Party and the Scottish National Party * Norman MacEwen CB, CMG, DSO, RAF (1881–1953), senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century * John "Cap" McEwan (1892–1970), American football coach of Army, Oregon and Holy Cross *

Clifford McEwen Air Vice Marshal Air vice-marshal (AVM) is a two-star air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence a ...

(1896–1967), Canadian air marshal ;born after 1900 * John "Black Jack" McEwen (1900–1980), Prime Minister of Australia * Andy McEwan, Scottish footballer *

Annie McEwen Dame Anne Mills McEwen DBE (1900 – 10 February 1967), known as Annie McEwen, was an Australian social activist, and the wife of John McEwen (who after her death became Prime Minister of Australia). She was active in the Country Party and devote ...

(1900–1967), wife of Australian Prime Minister John McEwen * Grant MacEwan (1902–2000), Canadian academic, politician, and author * Frank McEwen (1907–1994), English artist, teacher, and museum administrator * Sydney MacEwan (1908–1991), Scottish tenor * Billy McEwan (1914–1991), Scottish footballer *

Robert C. McEwen Robert Cameron McEwen (January 5, 1920 – June 15, 1997) was a Republican Party (United States), Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state), New York. Biography McEwen was born on January 5, 1920, in ...

(1920–1997), U.S. Representative from New York (1965–1981) * Robert MacEwen (1928–2013), Rugby Union international who represented Scotland from 1954 to 1958 * Geraldine McEwan (1932–2015), British actress *

Bruce McEwen Bruce Sherman McEwen (January 17, 1938 – January 2, 2020) was an American neuroendocrinologist and head of the Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University. He was known for his work on the effe ...

(1938–2020), American neuroendocrinologist * Gwendolyn MacEwen (1941–1987), Canadian poet and novelist *

Paul MacEwan Paul MacEwan (April 8, 1943 – May 2, 2017) was a politician in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, and long-time member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (MLA). Early life and education He was the son of Horace Frederick MacEwan and ...

(1943–2017), politician and MLA in Nova Scotia, Canada *

Ian McEwan Ian Russell McEwan, (born 21 June 1948) is an English novelist and screenwriter. In 2008, ''The Times'' featured him on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945" and ''The Daily Telegraph'' ranked him number 19 in its list of th ...

(born 1948), English novelist *

Frank McEwan Francis Fowler McEwan ( – 21 September 1944) was a Scottish professional footballer who played in the Scottish League for Airdrieonians as a forward. Personal life At the outbreak of the Second World War, McEwan enlisted in the British Ar ...

, Scottish footballer ;born after 1950 *

Alfred McEwen Alfred McEwen is a professor of planetary geology at the University of Arizona. McEwen is a member of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory where he directs the director of the Planetary Image Research Laboratory. He is a member of the imaging scien ...

, professor of planetary geology * Anne McEwen (politician) (born 1954), Australian Labor Party politician * Ann McEwen, West Indian cricketer *

Bob McEwen Robert D. McEwen (born January 12, 1950) is an American lobbyist and former Republican Party politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from southern Ohio's Sixth District, from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 199 ...

or Robert D. "Bob" McEwen (born 1950), U.S. Representative from Ohio (1981–1993) * Rob McEwen (born 1950), businessman * Billy McEwan (born 1951), Scottish footballer and manager * Jamie McEwan (1952–2014), American slalom canoeist and writer *

Kirsteen McEwan Kirsteen Fiona McEwan-Miller (born 20 November 1975) is a retired Scottish badminton player. She reached a career high as world number 8 and has a number of titles to her name. McEwan competed at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, and won a ...

(born 1975), Scottish badminton player *

Mark McEwen Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * Fin ...

(born 1954), American media personality *

Mark McEwan Mark McEwan is an American-born Canadian celebrity chef based in Toronto, Ontario. He was head judge on Food Network Canada's ''Top Chef Canada''. McEwan had his own television show on Food Network Canada entitled ''The Heat'', which followed h ...

(born 1957), Canadian celebrity chef *

Nicola McEwen Nicola McEwen, FRSE is professor of territorial politics at the University of Edinburgh, co-director of the Centre on Constitutional Change, and senior fellow at the UK in a Changing Europe. She became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ...

FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". This soci ...

professor of territorial

politics Politics (from , ) is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. The branch of social science that studies ...

at the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

, Centre on Constitutional Change *

Stan McEwan Stanley McEwan (born 8 June 1957) is a Scottish former professional footballer. He spent eight years at Blackpool in the 1970s and 1980s, making over 200 Football League appearances for the club. He also played for four other professional clubs ...

(born 1957), Scottish footballer * David McEwan (producer) (born 1972), Australian/British music producer and musician *

Joe McEwing Joseph Earl McEwing (born October 19, 1972) is an American former professional baseball player who spent most of his career with the New York Mets, where he played from through . Nicknamed "Super Joe", he was the prototypical utility player who ...

(born 1972), American baseball player * Robbie McEwen (born 1972), Australian-Belgian cyclist *

Sparky McEwen Charles "Sparky" McEwen (born April 28, 1968) is an American football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at Davenport University. McEwen played professionally as a quarterback for one season with the Grand Rapids Rampage of ...

(born 1968), American football player *

Andrea McEwan Andrea McEwan (born 9 October 1978) is an Australian actress, singer, musician and songwriter. Career After attending MacRobertson Girls' High School in Melbourne, McEwan started acting, appearing in several television series including ''Ocean G ...

(born 1978), Australian singer *

David McEwan (footballer) David McEwan (born 26 December 1981 in Lanark) is a Scottish former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. In his career he has played for Livingston, Clyde (on loan), Hamilton Academical (on loan and then permanently), Alloa Athletic, Dumbarto ...

(born 1982), Scottish footballer *

Danielle McEwan Danielle McEwan (born September 1, 1991) is an American professional ten-pin bowler from Stony Point, New York. She currently competes on the PWBA Tour and in some events on the PBA Tour. She has been a member of Junior Team USA, and is current ...

(born 1991), American ten-pin bowler

Places

Castle MacEwen Castle MacEwen ( gd, Caisteal Mhic Eoghainn) is a ruined fort in the Cowal peninsula, on the east shore of Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is near Kilfinan, around south of Otter Ferry. History The site was a medieval dun, which wa ...

, Argyll, Scotland *

MacEwan, Edmonton MacEwan is a residential neighbourhood in south Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Approximately half of the residences (52%) are single-family dwellings according to the 2005 municipal census. Another three in ten (29%) are rented apartments and apar ...

, a neighbourhood in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada * MacEwan Glen, a neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada *

McEwen, Oregon McEwen is an unincorporated community in Baker County, Oregon, United States. McEwen lies on Oregon Route 7 east of its interchange with Oregon Route 410. McEwen is about southeast of Sumpter along the Powder River. McEwen was founded as a l ...

, an unincorporated community in the United States *

McEwen, Tennessee McEwen is a city in Humphreys County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,750 at the 2010 census. Geography McEwen is located in eastern Humphreys County at (36.108810, -87.634974). U.S. Route 70 passes through the center of the city ...

, a city in the United States *

Division of McEwen The Division of McEwen is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. Classed as a rural seat, the electorate is located in the centre of the state, north of its capital city Melbourne. It includes the outer northern suburbs of ...

, an electoral district in the Australian House of Representatives in Victoria

Other

MacEwan University , mottoeng = , type = Public University , established = , closed = , founder = , parent = , academic_affiliations = AUCC, ACCC, AACTI ...

, a university in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ** MacEwan station, a light rail station serving the university *

McEwan Pratt McEwan Pratt (full name: McEwan, Pratt & Co Ltd) was a manufacturer of narrow-gauge internal combustion locomotives, founded around 1905 in Wickford, Essex. It produced a wide variety of locomotives and railcars, but failed as a business and bec ...

a British locomotive manufacturer from 1905 to 1914 * McEwan Pratt Petrol Railcar, type of railcar in New Zealand *

Macewen's operation Macewen's operation is an operation for the cure of inguinal hernia, developed by Scottish surgeon Sir William Macewen Sir William Macewen, (; 22 June 1848 – 22 March 1924) was a Scottish surgeon. He was a pioneer in modern brain surger ...

, operation for the cure of inguinal hernia, developed by Scottish surgeon

Sir William Macewen Sir William Macewen, (; 22 June 1848 – 22 March 1924) was a Scottish surgeon. He was a pioneer in modern brain surgery, considered the ''father of neurosurgery'' and contributed to the development of bone graft surgery, the surgical trea ...

(1864–1924) *

Macewen's sign Macewen's sign or Macewen sign () is a sign used to help to diagnose hydrocephalus (accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid) and brain abscesses. Tapping (percussion, medical, percussion) the skull near the junction of the frontal bone, frontal, ...

, sign used to help to diagnose hydrocephalus (accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid) and brain abscesses * McEwans, a beer produced by the Caledonian brewery

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:MacEwen Anglicised Scottish Gaelic-language surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names

Notable people

Places

Other

See also

References