Surname MacHowen - Meaning and Origin
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MacHowen: What does the surname MacHowen mean?
The last name MacHowen is of Scottish and Irish origin. This surname is derived from the Old Gaelic words mac, meaning "son of," and the name "Aodh" which is a pet form of Aed, which means 'fire'.
The MacHowen family is said to have originated in a region called Iona, located on the Little Minch Channel in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The family was established there sometime around the 13th century, although the exact date of origin is unknown.
Over the centuries, the MacHowen family gradually spread out to other areas of Scotland, and eventually Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. The surname can still be found in those areas, as well as other parts of the world including the United States and Canada.
It is believed that the MacHowen surname is associated with strong leadership qualities; those with the name typically have a drive to do well and succeed in life. Having a strong work ethic, the MacHowen families have been known to achieve much in their lifetimes.
The meaning of the MacHowen surname is a reminder of the strength of the family name, and the principles of hard work, determination and leadership that are associated with it.
Order DNA origin analysisMacHowen: Where does the name MacHowen come from?
The last name MacHowen is most commonly seen today in the United States and Canada, especially in the form of McHowen. The roots of this name are Irish and Scottish, with many of the earliest immigrants coming from the coasts of Scotland and Ireland.
In the U.S., the name can be found mostly in the east coast states, such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The state of New York has also seen a growth in McHowen families. In Canada, the name is mostly found in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia.
More people with the last name McHowen are currently living in the United States than in Canada, with the number of U.S. residents estimated to be around 5,000. The majority of those of who carry this name are descended from Irish immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century.
Several MacHowen family members made their way to the U.S. via Newfoundland, and then further south into the New England states. As the family learnt new trades, they began to disperse and settle in more areas of the United States.
At the present time, the MacHowen surname is still most prevalent in the east coast of the U.S. and a small pocket of Canada, though there are now thousands of individuals carrying the name living all over the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacHowen
The surname MacHowen is a variant spelling of the Scottish surname MacEwen. Other variants of this surname include McEwen, McOwen, MacKeown, M'Keown, MacKeon and MacEoin.
The origin of the surname is attributed to Clan Ewen, an ancient Scottish clan known for originating from the island of Bute and receiving lands in Argyll. The roots of the clan date as far back as the 13th century.
The most common spelling of the surname outside of Scotland is McEwen, the name's Anglicized version. According to data from the Social Security Administration, McEwan is the 1,584th most popular last name in the United States.
The recording of MacHowen in British and Irish records dates back several centuries. The earliest known recording of the surname is Murdo MakHowen, an important member of Clan Ewen, recorded in 1538.
Locations such as Scottish Highlands, Dublin, Ulster, and the Outer Hebrides have been linked to the surname. Records show that some emigrated to Canada and the United States during the 19th century, including a James McEwan recorded in the 1825 passenger list of a ship leaving from Liverpool en route to Montreal, Canada. An Alexander MacEwan was also recorded in the 1881 Census of Canada living in Surrey East, Ontario.
Today, the surname is found in various spelling forms around the world. Examples of this include: MacHowen in Scotland; McEwen and McEwan in Northern Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia; MacKeon in Ireland; McKeown in the United States; MacEoin in Ireland; and MacKeown in Northern Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacHowen
- F.W. MacHown: Canadian politician
- George MacHowen: Canadian politician
- Hannah MacHowen: Canadian painter
- Mary MacHowen: Canadian philanthropist
- Robert MacHowen: Canadian businessman and politician
- Tom MacHowen: Canadian musician
- Brett MacHowen: American film director and actor
- Holly MacHowen: American actress
- Mac MacHowen: American baseball player
- Marty MacHowen: American football player
- Matt MacHowen: American country music artist
- Paul J MacHowen: American musician
- Richard MacHowen: English politician
- Roberta MacHowen: British author
- William MacHowen: British photographer