Brief Family History
Spelling variations include: Cowan, Cowans, Cowen, Cowens, MacCowan and others.
First found in Ayrshire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Barbara Cowan who settled in New Jersey in 1685; along with Marjorie; Andrew Cowan settled in South Carolina in 1772; Alexander Cowan settled in New York City in 1774.
Motto: Sic itur in altum.
Motto Translated: This is the way to heaven.
Crest: A gold escallop.
Coat of Arms: A silver shield with a red saltire and a red chief on which there is a gold fleur de lis.