Clan Ewen of Otter
| Clan Ewen of Otter | |||
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| Clann Eóghain na h-Oitrich | |||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Scottish Highlands | ||
| District | Cowal | ||
| Clan Ewen of Otter has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |||
| Historic seat | Cnoc Mhic Eoghain Caisteall Mhic Eoghain |
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| Last Chief | Swene Mac Ewen | ||
| Died | 1493 | ||
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Clan Ewen of Otter (Gaelic: Clann Eóghain na h-Oitrich), was a Highland clan which once controlled the area around Kilfinan on the Cowal peninsular in Argyll.
Clan Ewen of Otter claimed descent from Donnsleibhe, who was said to be a descendant of an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty named Ánrothán Ua Néill, who left Ireland for Kintyre in the 11th century. He was a son of Áed, son of Flaithbertach Ua Néill, King of Ailech and Cenél nEógain, died 1036. There are several other Argyll clans which claim a descent from this prince—Clan Lamont, Clan Maclachlan, Clan MacNeil of Barra, and also the MacSweens who left Scotland to settle in Ireland in the 14th century. From this descent, these clans claim a further descent from the legendary Niall Noigíallach, High King of Ireland, who lived from the mid 4th century to early 5th century.
The only genealogy to survive regarding Clan Ewen of Otter, is the so-called MS 1467, now held in the National Library of Scotland. The Gaelic manuscript was written in 1467 and contains the genealogies of many Scottish clans. Unfortunately the MacEwen genealogy is practically unreadable in places. The MS 1467 was uncovered by W.F. Skene in the early 19th century, who transcribed and translated it. The following is his translated transcription for the MacEwens of Otter:
Contradicting Skene's transcription (above), Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll considered the MacEwens of Otter as a branch of the MacSweens, and thus descended from Dugald, son of Suibne (who is thought to have left his name to one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland—Castle Sween). Another origin suggested by earlier writers posited descent from the thirteenth-century Ewen Mac Dunslebhe, whose brother Fearchar is the ancestor of Clan Lamont.
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