The general dictum is that Highlanders went to Canada rather than the USA, esp. Nova Scotia after the Revolutionary War because Highlanders tended to side with the Loyalists, thus found the new USA an unwelcoming place. Once the trend was set, I suspect it then became easier and easier as immigration across the Commonwealth was facilitated. Our Chief came to the US via Canada, and likewise there are plenty of MacBeans in Australia (also Commonwealth).

That said, Bean is a very common name in the USA. My own family sided with the Patriots as they were not living in a Highlander community. In each emmigration and change, there has to be an interesting story to be told.

Quote Originally Posted by cessna152towser View Post
As my family here in Scotland has disappeared, the Canadian relatives have assumed much greater importance in my life. It is remarkable how the family has thrived and multiplied in Canada while they have withered away in Scotland, is it something in the Canadian water?
Do you know why your uncles left Alex? If you take a plant out of its native home and plant it in a new, but similar country, it often does remarkably well, unaccompanied by the familiar problems that have plagued it at home.