Last Name Mccowan

The surname McCowan is of Scottish origin and derives from a number of possible sources. One possible origin is from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eoin" or "son of John". Another possibility is that it comes from the Anglo-Norman French "cowan," which means "smith." Over time, the name has been variously spelled as MacCowen, McCawan, and McCouwen. The family originated in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in Argyllshire and Ayrshire.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mccowan

The meaning and origin of the last name Mccowan

The surname McCowan is an Anglicized variant of the Irish-Gaelic name Mac Seamus Ua Ceallaign, which translates to "son of James, son of Ceallach." It is derived from the personal name Ceallach, which means "bright" or "slender." The surname McCowan originated among the Irish septs of County Galway and County Mayo. Over time, as Irish families migrated during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, the spelling of the name evolved into various forms, including McComan, MacCombe, McCowen, and others. The McCowan family is recorded in Ireland as far back as the 13th century and has also been found in Scotland due to migration from Ireland.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mccowan

The last name McCowan is predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland, originating from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eogan." Historically, it was concentrated in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland. However, during the Great Famine in the 19th century, many Irish immigrants carrying this surname settled in other parts of the world, particularly North America, specifically in Canada and the United States. In the United States, McCowans can be found across various states, with notable concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Texas, likely due to migration patterns during the late 1800s. In Scotland, the name is prevalent in areas such as Strathclyde and Lothians. Today, descendants of McCowans can be found globally, reflecting the historical migrations associated with this surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mccowan

The surname McCowan has several variants and spellings due to differences in spelling conventions and phonetic transcription over time. Here are some common variations:

1. Mc Cowan - This version retains the traditional Irish-Gaelic prefix "Mac" which means son, followed by the family name Cowan.
2. MacCowan - Another variant of the same Irish-Gaelic form, with a more traditional Gaelic spelling for the first syllable.
3. McOwan - A slightly altered version, where the "c" in Cowan is replaced by an "o".
4. McCawan - An anglicized variant of McCowan, where the "w" in Cowan changes to a double "ww".
5. MacCogan - Another anglicized variant, where the spelling reflects the pronunciation, with the "o" in Cowan changing to an "a".
6. MacQuinn - A Scottish Gaelic variant that may be related to McCowan, as both names have a similar meaning and origin (son of the wise one).
7. McQuane - An English and Irish surname with a different etymology but phonetically similar to McCowan.
8. MacQuan - A less common variant of the same Scottish Gaelic name as MacQuinn or MacQuane, but without the "h" in Quinn/Quane.

Famous people with the last name Mccowan

Notable individuals with the surname McCaw or McCowan include:

1. Bill McCaw - An American entrepreneur and technology investor, who co-founded the software company Borland International and served as its CEO from 1983 to 1992.

2. Elmore McCowan - An African-American jazz trumpeter who performed with Count Basie's Orchestra in the 1950s and 60s.

3. Nene Humphrey McCowan - An American professional basketball player, currently a center for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected first overall in the 2017 WNBA draft.

4. Ronnie McCowan - A Scottish politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow since the 2017 general election.

5. Valarie Hatcher McCowan - An American retired professional basketball player who was a center in the WNBA. She played for several teams from 1997 to 2008, including the Houston Comets and Los Angeles Sparks. Known as the "Queen of the Court," she is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Genealogical research on the last name Mccowan

The surname McCowan originates from Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, it is believed to be a variant of MacCuwan, derived from the Gaelic Mac Cudhbain, meaning "son of Cudvan." In Ireland, it is often associated with County Antrim and is considered a variant of McQuinn or MacGuiness, indicating a connection to the O'Neill clan. The name spread to Ulster during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. In North America, the McCowan family is predominantly found in the United States, particularly in Texas and Virginia, due to early Scottish and Irish settlers. Notable figures with this surname include John McCowan, a notable Canadian businessman, and Willis McCoy, an American civil rights activist. The McCowan genealogy is rich with historical figures, with roots tracing back to Scotland and Ireland, and strong representation in North America.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mccowan"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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