MacEwen

The Scottish surname MacEwen derives from the Old Gaelic Mac Eoghainn, meaning 'the son of Eoghann'. The name is found today in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Because it was widely used before its spelling was standardised, the modern name has several common variations.

The earliest attested use is by a Malcolm MacEwen, who witnessed a charter in 1174.^[1] The surname has arisen independently in a number of clans throughout Scottish history. Although R. S. T. MacEwen claimed that all these families originated in Clan Ewen of Otter, this assertion is not supported by evidence.^[2] Recently however, Clan MacEwen has sought recognition as a clan in its own right.

The name has varied heraldic traditions, reflecting its various origins. The first MacEwen armiger was granted arms in 1743, and his achievement reflects his family's origins in Clan MacDougall. However a second grant of arms in the name made in 1793 to William MacEwan of Glenboig, displays Cameron symbolism in both its crest and its central charge.^[2]

There are three versions of MacEwen tartan, the first of which is listed in Vestiarium Scoticum as Farquharson.^[3]

Notable People

born after 1800

• William McEwan (1827−1913), Scottish brewer and politician
• Thomas (Tom) McEwan (1846−1914), Scottish artist
• William Macewen, CB, FRS, (1848–1924), Scottish surgeon
• Alexander Robertson MacEwen (1851–1916), Scottish writer, minister, professor and Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland
• John Blackwood McEwen (1868–1948), Scottish composer
• Alexander MacEwan (1875−1941), former leader of the Scottish Party and the Scottish National Party
• Norman MacEwen CB, CMG, DSO, RAF (1881–1953), senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century
• John "Cap" McEwan (1892–1970), American football coach of Army, Oregon and Holy Cross
• Clifford McEwen (1896−1967), Canadian air marshal

born after 1900

• John "Black Jack" McEwen (1900−1980), Prime Minister of Australia
• Annie McEwen (1900−1967), wife of Australian Prime Minister John McEwen
• Grant MacEwan (1902−2000), Canadian academic, politician, and author
• Sydney MacEwan (1908−1991), Scottish tenor
• Billy McEwan (1914−1991), Scottish footballer
• Robert C. McEwen (1920−1997), U.S. Representative from New York (1965–1981)
• Robert MacEwen (1928–2013), former Rugby Union international who represented Scotland from 1954 to 1958
• Geraldine McEwan (1932− ), British actress
• Gwendolyn MacEwen (1941–1987), Canadian poet and novelist
• Paul MacEwan (1943− ), politician and MLA in Nova Scotia, Canada
• Ian McEwan (1948− ), English novelist

born after 1950

• Bob McEwen or Robert D. "Bob" McEwen (1950− ), U.S. Representative from Ohio (1981–1993)
• Rob McEwen (1950− ), businessman
• Billy McEwan (1951− ), Scottish footballer and manager
• James McEwan (1952− ), American slalom canoeist and writer
• Anne McEwen (politician) (1954− ), Australian Labor Party politician
• Mark McEwen (1954− ), American media personality
• Mark McEwan (1957− ), Canadian celebrity chef
• Stan McEwan (1957− ), Scottish footballer
• David McEwan (producer) (1972− ), Australian/British music producer and musician
• Joe McEwing (1972− ), American baseball player
• Robbie McEwen (1972− ), Australian-Belgian cyclist
• Andrea McEwan (1978− ), Australian singer
• David McEwan (footballer) (1982− ), Scottish footballer

Places

• Castle MacEwen, Argyll, Scotland
• MacEwan, Edmonton, a neighbourhood in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• MacEwan Glen, a neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• McEwen, Tennessee, a place in the United States
• Division of McEwen, an electoral district in the Australian House of Representatives in Victoria

Other

• MacEwan University, a university in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• MacEwan-Pratt Petrol Railcar, type of railcar in New Zealand
• Macewen's operation, operation for the cure of inguinal hernia, developed by Scottish surgeon Sir William Macewen (1864–1924)
• Macewen's sign, sign used to help to diagnose hydrocephalus (accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid) and brain abscesses
• McEwans, a beer produced by the Caledonian brewery

See also

• Clan Ewen of Otter
• Clan MacEwen
• Eógan (given name), Ewen, Euan, Owain
• List of Scottish Gaelic surnames

References

This page or section lists people with the surname MacEwen. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.