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![Show Contents]() Medill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Medill family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the personal name Dougal. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Dhughaill and literally means son of Dougal. Early Origins of the Medill familyThe surname Medill was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they were descended from Dugall eldest son of Somerled, first Lord of the Isles, and his son Duncan who received the lands of Lorn. The Clan was a bitter foe of Robert the Bruce, who made a narrow escape during one battle with the MacDougals only by discarding his cloak. The brooch of this cloak, now known as the Brooch of Lorn, is a treasured possession of the Chief of the Clan. The Clan faced heavy retaliation and was stripped of their lands once Robert the Bruce secured the Scottish throne. The lands were restored to the Clan upon the death of the king, but passed to the Stewarts in 1388 when the last member of the senior branch of MacDougals died without issue. Early History of the Medill familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Medill research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1175, 1244 and 1316 are included under the topic Early Medill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Medill Spelling VariationsMedieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Medill has been spelled MacDougall, MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDugald, MacDill and many more. Early Notables of the Medill familyAnother 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Medill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Medill family to Ireland
Some of the Medill 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. Migration of the Medill familySettlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Medill were among those contributors: Ralph, Patrick and Mary MacDougal settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767; Dougal and Hugh MacDougal settled in Charles Town in 1767.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Medill (post 1700) | + |
- William Medill (1802-1865), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Ohio State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Ohio 9th District, 1839-43; Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, 1852-53; Governor of Ohio, 1853-56; Defeated, 1855 1
- Thomas J. Medill Jr., American politician, Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois, 1893-95, 1897-99 1
- Lillian Medill, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1960 1
- Joseph Medill (1823-1899), American politician, Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, 1871-73 1
- Joseph Medill Patterson (1879-1946), American politician, Member of Illinois State House of Representatives, 1903; Editor of the Chicago Tribune, 1910-25
- Joseph Medill McCormick (1877-1925), American Republican politician, Member of Illinois State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Illinois 1st District, 1917-19; U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1919-25 2
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: Buaidh no bàs
Motto Translation: Victory or death
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England
Scotland
Ireland
