Tokar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Tokar lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Tokar is derived from priest. Although the marriage of clerics in minor orders was permitted, the marriage of priests was banned during the 12th century. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac-an-t-sagairt, which means son of the priest.

Early Origins of the Tokar family

The surname Tokar was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of Ross, 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 Tokar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tokar research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1215, 1544, 1678 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Tokar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tokar Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Tokar has been spelled MacTaggart, MacTagart, MacIntaggart, MacTuggart, MacToggart, MacTaggert, MacTeggart, Taggart, Tagart, Tegart, Tegert, Teggert, Teggart, Intaggart, Tuggart and many more.

Early Notables of the Tokar family

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

Migration of the Tokar family to Ireland

Some of the Tokar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tokar migration to Canada +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Tokar:

Tokar Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Josef Tokar, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1898

Contemporary Notables of the name Tokar (post 1700) +

Eliot Tokar, American practitioner of Tibetan medicine, author, and lecturer
Norman Tokar (1919-1979), American director, known for his work on Leave It to Beaver (1957), Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1954), and The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

The Tokar 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: Ratione non vi
Motto Translation: By reason, not by force.