Map of England showing where the Macewan arms are recorded
The Macewan arms were recorded in Cornwall, c. 1620.
Cornwall was a county apart, with its own language and its own tight-knit gentry. Tin and the sea made money there, and families who made it bought land, which is what brought arms with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Macewan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cornwall.
Origin & History of the Macewan Family in England
The family name MacEwan has deep roots in the Gaelic language, originating from the phrase *Mac Eoghain*, which translates to son of Ewan. While the name is most famously associated with the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Cornwall by 1620. During this period, families often moved across the British Isles for trade, mining opportunities, or religious reasons. The presence of the MacEwans in Cornwall suggests they were part of a mobile population that integrated into local communities while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved as it was recorded by local clerks who wrote it down based on how it sounded to them. This transition reflects the broader movement of people during the seventeenth century as they settled into new regions and adapted to the customs of their new homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eoghan
Gaelic name meaning born of the yew tree.
This name
MacewanPatronymic surname meaning son of the servant of Eoghan.
also spelled
Morgan
Mawgen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Cornwall Archives, Parish Registers of Cornwall, 1620
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
