Quaker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Quaker are thought to have come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Quaker was used to indicate someone who worked as a son of a vicar, who was a priest in charge of a parish in which most or all of the tithes were paid to another recipient, while the vicar received a stipend. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac a Bhiocair.

Early Origins of the Quaker family

The surname Quaker was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Quaker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quaker research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Quaker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quaker Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Quaker has appeared as MacVicar, MacViccar, MacVicker, MacVicer, MacWicar and many more.

Early Notables of the Quaker family

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

Migration of the Quaker family to Ireland

Some of the Quaker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Quaker family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Quaker or a variant listed above: Donald and Duncan MacViccar settled in New England in 1685; Archibald McVicar settled with his wife, children and servants in New York in 1775 and his brothers Barnabas and John.

The Quaker 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: Tandem
Motto Translation: At length.