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THE FAMILY NAME OF MCKAIN |
G.F. Black ("Surnames of Scotland") suggests the origin of the McKain line as being a derivative of the MacIans, a part of the Clan Donald, who originated from Ardnamurchan, Argyll in the far west of Scotland.
Extract from "The Clan Donald" by Rev. A.Macdonald (Minister of Killearnan) and Rev. A.Macdonald (Minister of Kiltarlity), published 1904.
"The Macdonalds of Ardnamurchan. This family was descended from John Sprangach, third son of Angus Mor, Lord of the Isles. The genealogical details obtainable regarding this family are very meagre, owing to their disappearance as a territorial house upwards of 250 years ago. They were known as Macians, owing to their descent from John, son of Angus Mor. The succession was as follows:- (Note: dates are those of clan chiefship)
John Sprangach (1260-1306), son of Angus Mor, son of Donald, progenitor of the clan
Angus (1306-1363), son of John Sprangach
Alexander (1363-1411), son of Angus
John (1411-1470), son of Alexander
Alexander (1470-1493), son of John
John (1493-1518), nephew of Alexander
Alexander (1518-1520), son of John
John, son of Alexander
John Og (1591-1596), son of John
Donald (1596-1596), uncle of John Og
John Macian (1595-1610), nephew of Donald
Alexander (1610-1625), son of John Macian
Alexander is the last head of the house of whom there is any authentic record and with him this ancient and powerful house passes out of historical and genealogical ken".
Many of the members of the MacIan sept were driven out of Ardnamurchan in the first part of the 17th century and being staunchly Roman Catholic, even after the Reformation of 1560-67 in Scotland, they made for the east of Scotland and the areas of Moray and Banff, including the parishes of Boharm, Rothes and Knockando, amongst others. There are indications that by the 18th century several members of the McIan or the Mckain families had become merchants in Elgin, although none of them appear on the only partially complete Burgess Roll which appears as an Appendix to the "Records of Elgin". This lack of appearance on the Burgess Roll may be the result of either its incompleteness or the McKains' retention of the Catholic faith, which may have prevented them from formally becoming Burgesses of the town". (with acknowledgement to Janet & Bruce Bishop and the efforts of my cousin Hannah Davies)
Extract from the "History and Genealogy of the Ancient House of Ardnamurchan" by Clifford Arthur Mackain M.A., F.R.E.S., 1943.
"Alexander (Chief 1610-1625) was a minor at the time of his father's death, and his uncle Donald acted as Tutor. He was forced to give up his right to Ardnamurchan, and in 1625 migrated with his brother John to Inverness-shire. He went next to Morayshire, where his descendants are now to be found in Elgin. He was buried at Ruthven. His descendants became prominent in Elgin, and at one time owned considerable property there and in the neighbourhood. Another branch migrated to Ireland in 1674; while other MacIains are found in Edinburgh from about 1625. These are probably descended from Donald the Tutor."
In his "History...", Clifford Mackain extends the line of clan chiefship from Alexander (1610-1625) to himself, as follows (Note: dates are those of clan chiefship):-
Alexander (1625-????), son of Alexander (1610-1625)
James (????-1746), son of Alexander
Archibald (1746-1777), son of James
James (1777-1828), son of Archibald
James (1828-1845), son of James
James (1845-1847, died unmarried), son of James
William Fergus (1847-1912), brother of James
William James (1912-1936), son of William Fergus
Clifford Arthur (1936-1959), son of William James
The association of the McKains with the Western highland seabord is reflected in the Grant of Arms to the Reverend William James McKain in 1905, viz:- Or, a lymphad, sails furled, oars in action Sable, flagged Gules, an eagle displayed of the Last, beaked and membered of the second and a buckle of the third, in the dexter and sinister fess points. In 1913 William James was recognised by the Society of Clan Donald as Chief of Clan Iain of Ardnamurchan.
IN HOPE I BYDE
"The lymphad or heraldic galley is a charge very common in Scotland, particularly among the clans of the Western highland seaboard. It was an ancient one-masted oar-propelled ship, usually shown as flagged at both ends and at the topmast. The earldom of Arran has as its arms Argent a lymphad with sails furled proper, flagged Gules. The 3rd quarter of MacKinnon of MacKinnon is Or a lymphad, sails furled, the oars saltirewise Sable, flags flying Gules. When the oars are in the water they are sometimes described as oars in action" - (The Observer's Book of Heraldry - Charles Mackinnon of Dunakin)
