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Cap Badge
Kilt pin
Plaid Brooch
Tie pin
Cuff links
Sgian Dubh
Although this clan has ancient roots there are few authentic records existing. The genealogy in the MS. of 1450 proves that Clan Macewen existed long before this date and that they were known as the Macewens of Otter. The Macewens were closely allied to the Maclachlans and the Macneills and in the 12th century the Lamonts, the Maclachlans, and the Macewens were in possession of the greater part of Cowel. The earliest chief of whom there is any account is Eoghain na h-Oitrich (Ewen of Otter), who gives his name to the clan. He lived at the beginning of the 13th century and was succeeded by Severn (II) of Otter. About 1315 Gillespie (V) of Otter held the chiefship. From this date there were four chiefs namely Ewen (VI), John (VII), Walter (VIII), and Sween (IX), the last of the Otter chiefs. The chiefs of the clan seem to have stayed around Loch Fyne and shared a common Heritage with the Maclachlans and the Macneils until 1432, when by a charter of James I, the Barony of Otter was confirmed to Sween Macewen with a destination to the heirs of Duncan Campbell of Loch Awe. Sween is the last Macewen chief on record, and thereafter they appear only as dependants of the Campbells or as broken (clanless) men. After he died, King James, in 1493, confirmed the grant to Archibald, Earl of Argyll, as heir to his father, Colin. The Macewens became a scattered clan and without lands, the Macewans became a "broken" clan and found their way to many districts. In 1598, two hundred Macewens were described as broken Highland men heavily armed and living by robbery. They are listed in an Act of Parliament in 1602, along with other broken clans as subjects of the Earl of Argyll who was made answerable for their good behaviour. The Macewens seem to have supported the Jacobite cause, but only as individuals, as they were lacking a chief to call them out as a clan. Sir Alexander Macewen was made Provost of Inverness.
Septs of the Clan: Carmichael, Conacher, Cowan, Dougall, Dowall, Livingston, Livingstone, MacConacher, MacCowan, MacCoul, MacCulloch, MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDulothe, MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEowen, MacOwen MacHowell, MacKichan, MacLucas, MacLugash, MacLulich, MacNamell, Macoul, Macowl. |
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