Contents [hide]

McGarrigle History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Canada New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

McGarrigle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The ancestors of the McGarrigle family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in the lands of Cargill in east Perthshire where the family at one time had extensive territories.

Early Origins of the McGarrigle family

The surname McGarrigle was first found in East Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Cargill is a parish containing, with the villages of Burreltown, Wolfhill, and Woodside.

"This place, of which the name, of Celtic origin, signifies a village with a church, originally formed a portion of the parish of Cupar-Angus, from which, according to ancient records, it was separated prior to the year 1514." 1

Some of the first records of the family include Walter de Kergyl who witnessed a quitclaim of the land of Drumkerauch in 1260, Bernard de Kergylle who received a gift of the lands of Leisington from William de Munificheth in 1283, and Iwyn de Garghille of the county of Strivelyn and Wauter de Kergille of the county of Perth who rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England. Bernard de Kergylle had a confirmation charter of the lands of Culmelly and of Ald Culmelly in the barony of Cusseny (Cushnie) in 1374 and William de Kergill was granted a charter in favor of the Friars Preachers of Aberdeen in 1401. Symon Cargyl held part of Kethyk in 1457 and was tenant of Park of Newbyggyn, 1473. 2

Further to the south in England, Cowgill is an ecclesiastical district, in the parochial chapelry of Dent, parish and union of Sedbergh in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Colgyll and Alicia de Colgyll as holding lands there at that time. 4

In 1481 a letter of denisation was issued to John Kergyll, clerk, a Scotsman living in Kent. 2

Early History of the McGarrigle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGarrigle research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1457, 1497, 1498, 1580, 1585, 1605, 1619, 1638, 1643, 1681, 1685 and 1859 are included under the topic Early McGarrigle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGarrigle Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name McGarrigle has been spelled Cargill, Cargille, Carnigill, Cargile, Kergylle, Cargyle, Carrigle, McGirl and many more.

Early Notables of the McGarrigle family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Donald Cargill (1619-1681), a Scottish Covenanter from Rattray, Blairgowrie who worked to uphold the principles of the National Covenant of 1638 and Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. He was sentenced to...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGarrigle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McGarrigle family to Ireland

Some of the McGarrigle 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.

McGarrigle migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of McGarrigle:

McGarrigle Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James McGarrigle, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Donegal, in 1901
Mary McGarrigle, aged 35, who settled in America, in 1908
Thomas McGarrigle, aged 35, who settled in America from Ballaleck, Ireland, in 1909
Michael McGarrigle, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from Cliffoney, Ireland, in 1910
James McGarrigle, aged 24, who landed in America from Cliffoney, Ireland, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGarrigle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McGarrigle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Unity McGarrigle, aged 30, a spinster, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834

McGarrigle 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:

McGarrigle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James McGarrigle, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Claramont" in 1863
Edward McGarrigle, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Claramont" in 1863
Bernard McGarrigle, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Claramont" in 1863
Mary McGarrigle, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Claramont" in 1863

Contemporary Notables of the name McGarrigle (post 1700) +

Topaz McGarrigle, American saxophone player, founder of the jazz band Topaz
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (b. 1973), Grammy-nominated Canadian-American singer-songwriter
Jane McGarrigle, Canadian songwriter and musician
Anna McGarrigle (b. 1944), Canadian folk music singer-songwriter
Kate McGarrigle CM (1946-2010), award-winning Canadian folk music singer-songwriter made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1993

The McGarrigle 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: Domino confido
Motto Translation: Confide in the Lord.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)