MacVean

Derived from the Olde Gaelic 'Mac Bheathain', this Scottish surname translates as 'the son (mac) of the son (ain) of 'Bheath' - the latter being an early personal name from the pre 10th century which translates as 'the lively one'. The name was mostly found in the Taymouth and Edinburgh area, the name development including William McWeane (1539 Kynnarde), Patrick Roy M'Veane (1594 Glenlochy) and John M'Vane, a prisoner captured at Culloden in 1745, by the 'Bloody Cumberland'. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John M'Wayein which was dated 1494 Charter Witness of Grantully during the reign of King James IV of Scotland 1488-1513 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.