Farquar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The age-old tribe of the Strathclyde Britons of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first people to use the name Farquar. It is derived from the Gaelic MacFhearchair which means son of Farquhar and Farquhar is derived from the Gaelic word Fearchar which means very dear one. So, the name means son of the very dear one. 1 2

Early Origins of the Farquar family

The surname Farquar was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they have enjoyed their seat at Kyle Stewart for many generations. The history is quite separate from that of Farquharson.

Robert Farquhar, Laird of Gilmilnescroft about the year 1350 was the first Chief on record and he was probably a direct descendant of Ferchart, father of Fergus, one of the chiefs setting the bounds of Newbattle Abbey in 1178. Descended was Ferkar, Earl of Ross, 1224-1231, and at this time a branch was started in the north at Caithness at Ederlarg. 1

Early History of the Farquar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Farquar research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1646, 1677, 1699, 1706, 1707, 1751, 1774, 1813, 1818, 1819, 1823, 1826 and 1839 are included under the topic Early Farquar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farquar Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Farquar has appeared as Farquhar, Farquher, Farker, Farkar, Forker, Farquar, Farquer and many more.

Early Notables of the Farquar family

Notable amongst the family at this time was George Farquhar (1677-1707), an Irish dramatist, born in Derry. He is bet known for his Restoration comedy, including his plays The Constant Couple (1699), The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707).3John Farquhar (1751-1826) was a Scottish dealer in gunpowder, born of humble parents at Bilbo, in the parish of Crimond, Aberdeenshire who by the time of his death had amassed about £1.5 million...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Farquar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Farquar family to Ireland

Some of the Farquar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farquar migration to the United States +

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them:

Farquar Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Farquar, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1768

Farquar Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis, George, Michael and William Farquar all, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1813

Farquar migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Farquar Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Christian Farquar, (b. 1865), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Greyhound" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th May 1865 4
Mrs. Jane Farquar, (b. 1839), aged 26, British dairymaid travelling from London aboard the ship "Greyhound" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th May 1865 4
Miss Mary Anne Farquar, (b. 1854), aged 11, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Greyhound" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th May 1865 4
Miss Elizabeth Farquar, (b. 1855), aged 10, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Greyhound" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th May 1865 4
Mr. Robert Farquar, (b. 1857), aged 8, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Greyhound" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th May 1865 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Farquar Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sto cado fide et amis
Motto Translation: I stand and fall by faith and arms.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html