Hunter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Hunter comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a hunter or someone involved in the chase.This name is derived the Latin word venator. 1 2

Early Origins of the Hunter family

The surname Hunter was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire. But while Scottish history places them in this area, we must remember that before the 5th century this Clan, held a family seat at Hy Seaain counties Derry and Tyrone, in Ireland, and were chiefs who calimes descent from King Colla da Crioch. Moving to Scotland about the 5th or 6th century they were granted lands by the Grahams at Polmood.

"William venator, who was one of the witnesses to the Inquisition of Earl David, before 1124, is apparently the first of the name recorded in Scotland. Yone Venatore was one of the witnesses to a Beauly charter of 1231. Adam Hunter was granted the hereditary office of sergeantry in all causes touching life and limb throughout the abbey land of Crauford belonging to the Abbey of Newbattle before 1259. John the hunter (venator) was one of the jurors on an inquisition made on the lands of Hopkelchoc (now Kailzie) in 1259." 3

"The family have been seated at Hunterston in Ayrshire since the time of Alexander II. They bear three hunting horns vert in their arms, whence probably the name." 4

"The Normans were great preservers and mighty hunters of game, and though the name is Anglo-Saxon (hunta) it is generally considered that the families bearing it are chiefly of Norman origin. Under the Norman and early Scottish kings the office of king's hunter ( Venator Regis) was one of considerable dignity. "The hunters of Polmood in Tweedsmuir pretend to have had a charter of their lands from Graeme, who broke through the Wall of Antoninus in the V. century." 5

Early History of the Hunter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hunter research. Another 285 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1296, 1327, 1328, 1375, 1376, 1547, 1555, 1664, 1666, 1675, 1684, 1701, 1702, 1710, 1718, 1720, 1725, 1728, 1729, 1733, 1734, 1737, 1741, 1742, 1745, 1750, 1753, 1757, 1763, 1771, 1775, 1777, 1780, 1783, 1790, 1793, 1795, 1800, 1809, 1821, 1835, 1837, 1846, 1890 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Hunter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Hunter include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Hunter, Hunters and others.

Early Notables of the Hunter family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

General Robert Hunter (1664-1734), the colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey from 1710 to 1720, he belonged to the family of Hunter of Hunterston, Ayrshire
William Hunter FRS (1718-1783), a Scottish anatomist and physician
Vice-Admiral John Hunter, RN (1737-1821), British naval officer, explorer, naturalist, the second Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1795 to 1800

Hunter World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hunter is the 130^th most popular surname with an estimated 171,603 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Hunter is ranked the 146^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,893 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hunter is the 523^rd popular surname with an estimated 88 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Hunter as 106^th with 24,996 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Hunter as 99^th with 4,032 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hunter as 103^rd with 46,215 people. 11

Migration of the Hunter family to Ireland

Some of the Hunter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hunter family emigrate to North America:

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Hunter, who arrived in Virginia in 1635
Christian Hunter, aged 20, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 12
Elizabeth Hunter, aged 18, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 12
Mr. Thomas Hunter, aged 14, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 13
Mr. William Hunter, aged 11, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Grace Hunter, who landed in Virginia in 1702 12
Patrick Hunter, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 12
Henry Hunter, who arrived in Maryland in 1738 12
Anthony Hunter, who landed in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1740 12
Samuel Hunter, who landed in Maryland in 1744 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Hunter, aged 34, who landed in America in 1803 12
Ann Hunter, aged 22, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 12
David Hunter, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 12
Alexander Hunter, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 12
Eleanor Hunter, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Edwin Osmond Hunter, who arrived in Alabama in 1926 12

Hunter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Hunter, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 330 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 14
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 14
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, Leeds & Grenville, Ontario c. 1784 he resettled in South Gower, 14
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ithamar Hunter, who arrived in Canada in 1828
William Hunter, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Andrew Hunter, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Agnes Hunter, aged 18, a spinster, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834
Margaret Hunter, aged 35, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hunter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Hunter, British convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Margaret Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. George Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. James Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Thomas Hunter, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter 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:

Hunter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 20
George Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 20
Robert Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 20
William Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 20
Barbara Hunter, aged 42, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21

Hunter Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Jonathon Hunter with his wife and servants settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Hunter (post 1700) +

Brandon Hunter (1980-2023), American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
Brandon Hunter (1980-2023), American professional NBA basketball player (2003-2013)
Robert Dean Hunter (1928-2023), American politician and academic administrator, Vice President at Church of Christ-affiliated Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas
Lewis R. "Lew" Hunter (1935-2023), American screenwriter, author and educator and chairman Emeritus and Professor of Screenwriting at the UCLA Department of Film and Television
George "Ivy Jo" Hunter (1940-2022), American R&B songwriter, record producer and singer, most associated with his work for Motown in the 1960s
Cottrell James Hunter III (1968-2021), American two-time gold medalist shot putter and coach
Larry Hunter (1949-2018), American head basketball coach at Wittenberg University from 1976 to 1989
John Thurman Hunter Jr. (1931-2016), known by the stage name Long John Hunter, an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter
Robert Hunter (1886-1971), American gold and sliver Olympic medalist for golf at the 1904 Summer Games
Brigadier-General George Bowditch Hunter (1879-1965), American Commanding Officer New Orleans Port of Embarkation (1941-1943) 22
... (Another 243 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hunter family +

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Jessie Ogilvy Hunter (1866-1914), née Tulloch Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Brigadier John Hunter (1863-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Master John Hunter (1903-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Miss Grace Hunter (1901-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23

Hillcrest Coal Mine

Mr. Hugh Hunter (1879-1914), Scottish Miner from Sauchie or Fishcross, Clackmannan, Scotland, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 24

HMS Hood

Mr. John M J Hunter (b. 1916), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. David Hunter, British Ordnance Artificer 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Royal Oak

James Hunter (d. 1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
Frank Hunter (1903-1939), British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 27

Ibrox disaster

Ian Scott Hunter (1957-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Lanarkshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 28

RMS Lusitania

Mrs. Maggie Hunter, Scottish 2nd Class passenger returning from Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Aberdeen Scotland to die at home, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 29
Mr. George Hardie Hunter, Scottish 2nd Class passenger returning from Atlanta, Georgia, USA relocating to Aberdeen, Scotland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 29

USS Arizona

Mr. Robert Fredrick Hunter, American Seaman First Class from Ohio, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 30

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. Adam Hunter (b. 1857), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 31
Mr. David Hunter (b. 1872), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 31
Mr. James A Hunter (b. 1882), "Wanlass", American mine worker from Riverdale, Weber, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 31
Mr. James Chalmers Hunter (b. 1882), American mine worker from Kanseville, Weber, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 31
Mr. John Hunter (b. 1863), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 31
... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Hunter 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: Cursum perficio
Motto Translation: I accomplish the race.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. 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)
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) George Hunter. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hunter/George_Bowditch/USA.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Miners killed in Winter Quarters (retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from http://www.carbon-utgenweb.com/miners.html