MacGovans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the MacGovans family

The surname MacGovans was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat on the territories and lands known as Govan. The first on record was Christian, widow of Simon Govan in 1293.

The name of this parish is generally supposed to have been derived from the two Saxon words god and win, 'good wine,' applied on account of the superior ale for which the place was celebrated, and which, after being kept for several years, approached in flavour to wine. Some, however, derive it from the Gaelic word gamham, pronounced gavan, and signifying 'a ditch,' used in reference to the river Clyde, which runs through the parish, and which, in ancient times, was a very narrow stream. [1]

Early History of the MacGovans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacGovans research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1326, 1359, 1425, 1672, 1623, 1661, 1587, 1668 and 1587 are included under the topic Early MacGovans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacGovans Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Govan, Govane, Govean, Govans, MacGovan, MacGovans, Gowen and many more.

Early Notables of the MacGovans family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir John of Govan; and Captain William Govan (1623-1661), a Scottish officer who fought for the Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacGovans Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the MacGovans family to Ireland


Migration of the MacGovans family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Katherine Govan who settled in New Jersey in 1685; James Govan settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1850; Thomas Gowen settled in Virginia in 1635.

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