Cowden or Choille-dun surname

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

"Cowden" as I understand it refers to the Hazel tree. You might want to check out the Cowdenknowes web site for a bit more info.

[celticpride]

i have read once too that it refers to hazel tree the gaelic word calltuinn. but have found that to be incorrect, calltuinn anglicised would be more acceptable as colton another placename. as i said before the original spelling of cowden would have been coldin a anglicised version of choille-dun (history of stirlingshire) meaning wooded hill. i have looked on many cowdenknowes websites but alot of the information refers to the ballad or the place itself. what i was interested in was the family, it seems at one time they were a large borderer clan but there isnt much information other than them leaving there name throughout scotland. i do appreciate the recommendation but if anyone else has any info or theories feel free to respond.