McDowell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The McDowell family name comes from the personal name Dougal. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Dhughaill and literally means “son of Dougal.” The personal name Dougal, meaning “dark stranger.” [1] [2]

“The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can neither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established.” [3]

Early Origins of the McDowell family

The surname McDowell was first found in South Ayrshire where “Mactheuel witnessed a charter by Uchtredus filius Fergusi of the church of Colmanele (now known as Colmonell) in the reign of Malcolm IV. Fergus McDuhile in Wigton was juror on inquest at Berwick, 1296, and in same year as Fergus MacDowilt rendered homage [to King Edward I of England.] He is probably the Fergus MacDowile who witnessed a charter by William, lord of Douglas, 1306-29 (RHM., l, p. 13). In 1307 a pardon was granted Elyas de Vaus at the request of Duncan MacDuel, and in same year Dungall MacDouyl, senior, for services rendered, requested for his son Dungal, junior, the marriage of the daughter and heiress of Hugh de Champaigne, deceased, a tenant in capite.” [3]

Early History of the McDowell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McDowell research. Another 372 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1684, 1312, 1347, 1354, 1578, 1390, 1416, 1515, 1609, 1621, 1602, 1677, 1675, 1268, 1359, 1363, 1590, 1666, 1690, 1597, 1603, 1605, 1650, 1653, 1685, 1760, 1685, 1708, 1755, 1760, 1744, 1739, 1824, 1739, 1743, 1766, 1766 and are included under the topic Early McDowell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDowell Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McDowell has appeared as MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDugald, MacDill, Dowall, Dowler and many more.

Early Notables of the McDowell family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Duncan, Earl of Carrick; Ewen MacDougall (fl.1268), Lord of Argyll; and Thomas MacDowell, Bishop of Galloway (1359-1363). William MacDowell (1590-1666), the Scottish diplomatist, born in October 1690 at Makerstoun, Roxburghshire, was son of Thomas Macdowell by Johanna, daughter of Sir Andrew Ker of Greenhead. From 1597 to 1603 he attended Musselburgh school, and in 1605 proceeded to St. Andrews, where he had a distinguished career. King Charles I would have made him a Scottish privy councillor had not the civil war broke out On 4 June 1650. Macdowell became Charles II’s resident agent… 
Another 255 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McDowell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDowell Ranking

In the United States, the name McDowell is the 626^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. [4] However, in New Zealand, the name McDowell is ranked the 631^st most popular surname with an estimated 1,127 people with that name. [5]

 Migration of the McDowell family to Ireland

Some of the McDowell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 McDowell migration to the United States +

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name McDowell or a variant listed above.