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Clan MacEwen

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Clan MacEwen
MacEòghainn (Son ofEwen)
MottoReviresco(I grow strong again)
Profile
DistrictCowal,Galloway,LennoxandPerthshire
Clan MacEwen no longer has a chief, and is anarmigerous clan
Last ChiefSwene MacEwen[1]
Died1493

Clan MacEwenorClan MacEwanis aScottish clanrecorded in the fifteenth century asClan Ewen of Otter.

Historically, there have been several different MacEwen clans andsepts,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 achiefrecognized by either the members, or theLord Lyon King of Arms,and as such Clan MacEwen is considered anArmigerous clan.

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.[2][3]TheMcEwen Baronettitle was created in 1953 by QueenElizabeth IIfor his father, Conservative politicianSir John McEwen, 1st Baronet.[4][5]Historically, these McEwens held lands in Bardrochat inCarrick.[1]These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.[1]

There are also other clan societies organized under the Ewen, Ewing, and MacEwan names.[1][6][7][8][9]

Historical MacEwen Clans and Septs[edit]

The name "MacEwen"comes from one of the manyanglicisedspellings of theScottish Gaelicname, MacEòghainn, which means, "son ofEòghann",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 inScotland,while others can be found inIreland.

Clan Ewen of Otter
Main article:Clan Ewen of Otter

The MacEwen lords of Otter appear sporadically in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century records. The genealogy of the clan is recorded inMS 1467,now held by theNational Library of Scotland.The last MacEwen of Otter was Swene MacEwen, on whose death in 1493 the barony passed intoCampbelloverlordship.[1]

MacEwens in Galloway

There have been MacEwens inGallowaysince 1331 (apparently before the first MacEwens of Otter), when one Patrick McEwyn wasProvostofWigtown.[1]According to tradition, these McEwens fought alongside the Sheriff of Wigtown's clan, theAgnewsofLochnaw,against theBlack Douglasin a feud over theSheriffdom of Gallowayin the middle of the fifteenth century.[6]

MacEwens of MacDougall

Many MacEwens still preserve a tradition of descent fromClan MacDougall,and a MacEwensepthas been acknowledged by the MacDougall chiefs.[10]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.[11]MacEwens in the area of Perthshire and Loch Tay were therefore considered to be a part ofClan MacDougall.[7]

MacEwens of Clan Cameron

During the sixteenth century, a group ofCameronswere also known as 'Clan Ewyne'.[12]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 isSliochd 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 thefilidh."The family served the MacDougalls of Lorne, and later the Campbells of Argyll.[13][8]The MacEwans, like other prominent bardic families employed by Scottish lords, were likely of Irish origin.[14]Their use of the rare personal nameAthairnesuggests that they were a branch of the Irish O'Hosey (Ó hEoghusa) bardic family.[8][15]A branch of the MacEwan bardic family may have been the MacEwan family of harpers, recorded in the mid-sixteenth century.[8][9]

Dubious historical traditions[edit]

It is frequently stated that anAct of Parliamentof 1602 lists MacEwens beside MacLachlans and McNeils, asvassalsof theEarl of Argylland answerable to him for their behaviour.[16]

Highland lore among Clan MacLachlan is that after Sween MacEwen's death,Clan MacLachlanoffered 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.[17]

According to the 19th-century historianJames Logan,inGeneral Wade's statement of the Highland forces engaged in theJacobite rising of 1715,the MacEwens of theIsle of Skyewere recorded to have summoned 150 men.[18]

The McEwen baronets
Main article:McEwen baronets

The McEwen Baronet title was created byElizabeth IIon 28 January 1953 for the Conservative politicianJohn McEwen,who served as Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 1939 to 1940.[4][5][2]Historically, these McEwens held lands in Bardrochat inCarrick.[1]These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.[1]It is from this line thatSir John Roderick Hugh McEwen,5th Baronet (born 1965), who has been nominated as Commander by the UK clan society, descends.[2][3]

Modern clan symbolism[edit]

The MacEwentartanis very similar to the tartans of theCampbells.[19]
Crest badge

Many clansfolk today wear acrest badgeto show allegiance to their particular clan. Crest badges usually consist of strap-and-buckle surrounding the clan chief'sheraldic crest,with the chief'smottowritten 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 mottoREVIRESCO( "I grow green / verdant / strong again" ).[20]This crest badge is not derived from the arms of a previous chief of the clan,[1]but appears to have been in use among the Galloway McEwens from an early date.[21] This crest and motto are recorded in theArmsof theMcEwen Baronets(McEwen of Marchmont and Bardrochat).[1][16]These McEwens held lands in Bardrochat inCarrick.[1]The McEwen Baronets may not have any connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.[1]

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.[19][22]MacEwen tartan also strongly resembles theClan Colquhountartan 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.[23]

Current moves to appoint a chief[edit]

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 [MacEwen] name, broadly defined... with a view to the recognition of a Commander."[24]On 11 October 2012, the Lord Lyon announced the appointment of the HonourableAdam Bruce,Marchmont Herald of Arms,as Supervising Officer for the Family Convention.[25]

As of 2020,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.[2][3]Sir John the 5th inherits hisBaronettitle from his grandfather,Sir John McEwen, 1st Baronet,for whom the modernMcEwen Baronettitle was created by theQueen of the United Kingdomin 1953.[2][4][5]These modern McEwen Baronets may not have any historical connection with Clan MacEwen of Otter.[1]Clan Ewinghas chosen to go their own way and form their own organisation.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijklmMoncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain(1967).The Highland Clans.London: Barrie & Rocklif. pp. 99–100.
  2. ^abcdeRoss, David (4 May 2014)."After 500 years the McEwens decide they need a clan chief".Herald Scotland.Sunday Herald.Retrieved20 February2018.
  3. ^abc"What Is A MacEwen?".Archived fromthe originalon 20 June 2017.Retrieved20 February2018.
  4. ^abcBritain), Queen Elizabeth (consort of George VI, King of Great (27 November 2012).Counting One's Blessings: The Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.Macmillan.ISBN9780374185220.Retrieved1 February2017.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^abcWho's Who 1960p.1896.
  6. ^abAgnew, Sir Andrew(1893).The Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway.
  7. ^abMaclagan, Robert Craig, 1905,The Perth Incident of 1396,Edinburgh & London (Blackwood)
  8. ^abcdSanger, K; Kinnaird, A (1992).Tree of Strings: A History of the Harp in Scotland.Kinmor Music. p. 73.ISBN0951120441.Accessed viaGoogle Books.
  9. ^abCampbell of Airds, A(2000).A History of Clan Campbell.Vol. 1, From Origins to Flodden. Edinburgh:Polygon at Edinburgh.p. 183.ISBN1-902930-17-7.
  10. ^"Clan Names and Families Associated with Clan MacDougall of Argyll and Clan MacDowall of Galloway | Clan MacDougall Society of North America".Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2013.Retrieved4 July2013.
  11. ^Lyon Register 1, 376
  12. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 4 March 2016.Retrieved2 March2012.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^Clancy, TO(2006). "Scottish Gaelic poetry [1] classical Gaelic". InKoch, JT(ed.).Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia.Vol. 4. Santa Barbara, California:ABC-CLIO.p. 1577.ISBN1-85109-445-8.
  14. ^MacInnes, John(1992). "The Scottish Gaelic Language". In Price, G (ed.).The Celtic Connection.The Princess Grace Irish Library (series vol. 6). Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe. p. 112.ISBN0-86140-248-0.
  15. ^Campbell of Airds, A(2000).A History of Clan Campbell.Vol. 1, From Origins to Flodden. Edinburgh:Polygon at Edinburgh.pp. 7, 182–183.ISBN1-902930-17-7.
  16. ^ab"MacEwen".myclan.Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2005.Retrieved4 October2008.
  17. ^Clan MacEwen - Both A Clan and A Protectorate
  18. ^Logan, James(1850).The Scotish Gaël (sic!)(5th American ed.). Hartford: Silas Andrus and Son. p.77.
  19. ^ab"Tartan – MacEwen /MacEwan".Scottish Tartans World Register.Retrieved4 October2008.
  20. ^Way of Plean, George;Squire, Romilly (2000).Clans & Tartans.Glasgow: HarperCollins. p. 182.ISBN0-00-472501-8.
  21. ^R. S. T. MacEwen, 1904,Clan Ewen: Some records of its history,p18
  22. ^Stewart, Donald Calder (1974).The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, with descriptive and historical notes(2nd revised ed.). London: Shepheard-Walwyn. p. 74.ISBN0-85683-011-9.
  23. ^"Scottish Register of Tartans",STWR ref:274 Designer: Wilsons of Bannockburn The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "Colquhoun #2" tartan
  24. ^"The Court of the Lord Lyon -".lyon-court.Archived fromthe originalon 10 August 2014.
  25. ^"The Court of the Lord Lyon -".lyon-court.Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.
  26. ^Ewing, David Neal, "A Chief for Clan Ewen?"Ewing Family Journal,Vol. 17, No. 1 (February 2011)

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clan_MacEwen&oldid=1228367786"