Map of Scotland showing where the Mcgowan arms are recorded
The Mcgowan arms were recorded in Skeoch, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Mcgowan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Mcgowan Family in Scotland
The surname McGowan is rooted in the Gaelic language, originating from the term *Mac Gabhann*, which translates to "son of the smith." In early medieval times, the smith held a vital position in society because he crafted the tools and weapons necessary for daily survival and defense. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name had established a clear presence in Scotland, including a documented community in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, the city was undergoing significant social and economic changes as it transitioned into a major center for the Scottish Enlightenment. Families like the McGowans often worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants, contributing to the growing urban economy of the capital. These early residents were part of a larger movement of people migrating from the rural Highlands and Lowlands into the city to seek new opportunities in a rapidly modernizing Scotland.
Mcgowan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gabhann
Son of the smith
This name
McgowanDerived from the Gaelic term for a metalworker or blacksmith.
also spelled
MacGowan
McGowan
Mcgowan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
cinquefoilHope and joy
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
cinquefoilHope and joy
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
