Find out how popular the last name Macwan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Macwan.

Macwan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Macwan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Macwan in America

Macwan is the 65244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Macwan surname appeared 304 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Macwan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Macwan to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Macwan

The surname Macwan has its origins in Scotland, with records of the name dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "cuain" meaning "ocean" or "sea". This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were likely associated with maritime activities or lived near the sea.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1456, where a person named Johnne Makquane is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time. Another early reference can be found in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland from 1481, which documents a charter granted to a certain Donaldus Macquhane.

The name Macwan has strong ties to the Isle of Mull, an island located off the western coast of Scotland. It is believed that many of the early Macwans were part of the Clan MacLean, a powerful Highland clan that held significant influence in the region. The Macwans were likely a sept or branch of the larger clan.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Alexander Macwan, who lived in the late 16th century and served as a minister in the Church of Scotland. He played a role in the Scottish Reformation and was known for his religious writings and sermons.

Another prominent individual was Sir Duncan Macwan, a Scottish warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. He was renowned for his bravery and loyalty to the Scottish cause.

In the 17th century, a man named John Macwan was recorded as the proprietor of the Macwan Estate on the Isle of Mull. This estate remained in the family's possession for several generations, highlighting the Macwans' influence and status in the region.

During the 18th century, the name Macwan gained recognition through the exploits of Captain James Macwan, a skilled navigator and seafarer who sailed for the British East India Company. His voyages to India and the Far East contributed to the expansion of British trade and influence in those regions.

While the Macwan name has Scottish roots, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. However, its historical significance remains closely tied to the rugged landscapes and maritime heritage of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Macwan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Macwan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Macwan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Macwan has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Macwan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Macwan, please contact us.

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