MacEwen Clan

MacEwen Clan Crest: The stump of an oak tree sprouting new growth.

MacEwen Clan Motto: Reviresco (I flourish again).

History of Clan MacEwen:

Ewen of Otter lived in Argyll during the thirteenth century. Malcolm mac Ewen was witness to a Charter by Malcolm, 2nd Earl of Atholl in 1174, and a Patrick McEwyn was Provost of Wigtown in 1331. Swene, last of Otter, resigned the Barony of Otter to James I and granted the MacEwen Clan Lands on Loch Fyne, between those of Clan Lamont and Clan Maclachlan, to Sir Duncan Campbell in 1432. From then on, the MacEwens became dependants of Clan Campbell, being described as “broken Highland men,” and answerable to the earls of Argyll.

At this time a large number of MacEwens and MacEwans settled on the shore of Loch Lomond in the Lennox, and in Lochaber and Galloway.

Elspeth MacEwan was the last witch to be put to death in Scotland and was executed in Kirkcudbright in 1698. Sir John Blackwood McEwen (1868-1948) was a Scottish composer and became Principal of the Royal College of Music from 1924 to 1936. Sir James Ewing (1855-1935) was Professor of Engineering at Tokyo and Dundee universities, and Principal of Edinburgh University from 1916 to 1929. Dr Winifred Ewing was born in 1929 and, standing as a Scottish Nationalist, became a British Member of Parliament, a Member of the European Parliament and a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Surname distribution in Scotland: The MacEwen name is most common in Ayrshire, Stirlingshire, Argyll and Bute, Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Dunbartonshire, Perth and Kinross and the Highlands.

Places of Interest:
Otter Ferry, across Loch Fyne from Lochgilphead, Argyll. Lands here were held by Clan MacEwen.

Kilfinnan, Loch Fyne, Argyll. This is the site of Kilfinnan Castle, ancient stronghold of the MacEwens.

Buy a Clan MacEwen members certificate.