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![Show Contents]() McBirnie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of bearers of the McBirnie family name are thought to have come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The name is derived from the place name Brennath, in Moray The village of Birnie was originally called Brenuth, from "brae-nut," which means "hazel trees." Natives of Birnie, using a local dialect, also called the village "Burn-nigh," which means near the burn river. This local name, particularly in medieval times, is prefixed by 'de', which means '"from." Early Origins of the McBirnie familyThe surname McBirnie was first found in Elginshire a former county in northeastern Scotland, in the present day Scottish Council Area of Moray, Scotland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the McBirnie familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McBirnie research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1261 and 1500 are included under the topic Early McBirnie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McBirnie Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Birnie, Birney, Birny, Birnye, Byrnye, Byrny, Berney, Birne, Byrne, McBirny, McBirnie, McBurny, McBurnie and many more. Early Notables of the McBirnie familyMore information is included under the topic Early McBirnie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the McBirnie family to Ireland
Some of the McBirnie 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.
| McBirnie 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: McBirnie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Mr. John McBirnie, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Oamaru" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1876, for Invercargill 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name McBirnie (post 1700) | + |
- Bill McBirnie (b. 1953), Canadian jazz and Latin flutist chosen Flutist of the Year by the Jazz Report Awards
- Andrew McBirnie (b. 1971), British composer, music educator and administrator
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: Sapere aude, incipe
Motto Translation: Dare to be wise, begin at once.
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McBirnie migration to New Zealand 
Ireland
Scotland
