MACFADYEN, Macfadin, Macfadion, Macfadwyn, Macfadyran, Macfadyon, Macfadzan, Macfadzean, Macfadzeon, Macfadzein, Macfayden, Macfeyden, MACPHADEN, and MACPHAIDEN: All from G, Macphaidein (or Macphaidin), 'son of Paidean or little Pat.' and so = Patonson. The late Rev. J. G. Campbell says: "MacFadyens were said to have been the first possessors of Lochbuie, and when expelled they became a race of wandering artificers, Sliochd nan or-cheard-the race of goldsmiths in Mull." (Clan traditions and popular tales, p. 41). The earliest record of the name is in 1304 when Malcolm Macpadene appears as a charter witness at Achichendone in Kintyre (RMS., II, 3136). Conghan MacPaden petitioned for the archdeaconry of Argyll in 1390 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 575). John McFadyeane is in record in Edinburgh in 1457 (ER., VI, p. 306), and in 1473 a composition was made with Donald M'Fadzeane in Kirkcudbright (ALHT., I, p. 8). Hugh McFattin was tenant of Mydcoule, Petty, in 1499 (ER., XI, p. 444), and Donald Macfadzane, precentor in Lismore in 1507, appears again in 1511 as 'Sir' Donald McFaden (Poltalloch Writs, p. 183). He was probably the Sir Donald McFadzeane, chaplain of Tibbirmore in the diocese of Sodor, whose death is recorded in 1540 (RSS., II, 3397). Another M'Faden is in record in Iona in 1532. Finlaius M'Fedden, canon of the Isles, was witness to a charter of Muckairn also in 1532 (Cawdor, p. 158), and William M'Fadzean in Dellongfurd witnessed an instrument of sasine at Blairquhan, Ayrshire, in 1618 (Laing, 1794). William Makfadieane in Beirwell was prosecuted for shooting game in 1620 (RPC., XII, p. 391), and another William Makfadzane in Lyneburne was retoured heir of William Makfadzane in 1643 (Retours, Dumfries, 183). The 20s. land of Balmacfadzeane in Wigtownshire is mentioned in 1628 (Retours, Wigtown, 70), and John McPhaden was a witness at Leppenmor, 1641 (Poltalloch Writs, p. 73). Duncan M'Phadden and Lachlan M'Phadden appear in Uleyeiffe in 1672 (HP., II, p. 208), Malcolm M'Faden and Donald M'Phaden both in Auchadabeg were declared rebels in 1675 (HP., I), Janet M'Faggaine or M'Fadzeon was banished for refusing the Test in 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. X, p. 377,590), and Finlay McPhadan and Angus McPhaiden were tenant farmers in Islay in 1733. They occur again in 1741 as Angus and Finlay McFadzen (Bit. Islay, p. 545,549, 556). Dugald McPhaden was a witness in Islay in 1737 and Katherine McPhyden a witness in 1769 (ibid., p. 430,472). The M'Fadzeans of Over Killelago are mentioned in 1681 (Retours, Dumfries, 305), and Macfadyens are still numerous in Mull and Tiree. An absurd explanation of the name is Mac Fad Ian, 'son of long (or tall) John!' Galloway forms of the name in 1684 are McFaddan, McFydeane, McKfadyean, McPhaddion, and McPhadzen (Parish); M'Fedden.

Blind Harry, in the seventh book of his Schir William Wallace, records the doings of a Macfadzan, leader of a band of Irish mercenaries in the service of the king of England. Nothing is known of him in Scottish record outside of the pages of Harry. He was eventually slain by Gylmichall, an attendant of Duncan of Lorn, but local tradition says he was hanged from a projecting tree on the summit of Creag-an-uni (Creag an aonaidh). The Macfadyens, whether they deserved it or not, had a reputation for parsimony, as in the following bitter little satire current in Mull, Tiree, and Islay (SGS., I, p. 80):

MacPhaidein na circe

Am baile na h-airce:

Ged dh' fhan e r'a bruithe,

Cha d' fhan e r'a h-ithe —Stolen from Fore bears

air eagal a paigheadh."

(Macfadyen of the hen, in the homestead of penury: though he stayed till she was boiled, he stayed not till she was eaten-for fear of paying for her).