Show ContentsUrquart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Urquart family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Urquart lived in the old barony of Urquhart, which is located on Loch Ness in the county of Inverness.

Early Origins of the Urquart family

The surname Urquart was first found in Elginshire a former county in northeastern Scotland, in the present day Scottish Council Area of Moray, where Galleroch de Urchart "who lived temp. Alexander II" [1] was granted lands in Cromarty, and Inverness. He held a family seat at the Castle of Urquhart in 1214. "His descendants were "hereditary sheriffs of Cromarty." [1]

Early History of the Urquart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Urquart research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1114, 1306, 1358, 1611, 1650, 1660 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Urquart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Urquart Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Urquart has appeared Urquhart, Urquhard, Urchard, Orchard and many more.

Early Notables of the Urquart family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Thomas Urquhart (Urchard) of Cromarty (1611-c.1660), a Scottish writer and translator, most famous for his translation of Rabelais.Down in London, Thomas Urquhart (fl. 1650?), was a "noted violin-maker and was distinguished...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Urquart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Urquart family to Ireland

Some of the Urquart 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.


United States Urquart migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Urquart:

Urquart Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Urquart, who settled in Virginia in 1716

Canada Urquart migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Urquart Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Urquart U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [2]


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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