Show ContentsMacKinder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Picts, an ancient Scottish tribe, were the ancestors of the first person to use the name MacKinder. It was a name for a pilgrim from the Gaelic word deoradh. The deoradh kept the relics of saints. The family have been the hereditary custodians of St. Fillan's Crozier. 1

Early Origins of the MacKinder family

The surname MacKinder was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Dewarton is a village, in the parish of Borthwick, county of Edinburgh. It is here that the Dewar family have held the estate of Vogrie since early times. 2

Early History of the MacKinder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKinder research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1296 is included under the topic Early MacKinder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKinder Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. MacKinder has appeared Dewar, Dure, Dewyer, Dewer, McIndeor, McJarrow and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKinder family

More information is included under the topic Early MacKinder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand MacKinder 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:

MacKinder Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John MacKinder, aged 35, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Halcione" in 1875 3
  • Sarah E. MacKinder, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Halcione" in 1875 3
  • John William MacKinder, aged 7, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Halcione" in 1875 3
  • Thomas U. MacKinder, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Halcione" in 1875 3
  • Mr. John Mackinder, (b. 1839), aged 35, British farm labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Halcione" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in September 1875 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name MacKinder (post 1700) +

  • Douglas J. Mackinder, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Van Buren County, 1961 5
  • William Mackinder (1880-1930), British Labour Party politician, Member of Parliament for Shipley (1923-1930)
  • Sir Halford John Mackinder (1861-1947), English geographer and politician, Director of the London School of Economics, eponym of the Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography, St Peter's College, University of Oxford


The MacKinder 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: Quid non pro patria
Motto Translation: What would not one do for his country.


  1. 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)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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