Kerracher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The Picts of ancient Scotland were the tribe of the ancestors of the Kerracher family. The name Kerracher is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnlaigh which means 'son of Finlay' or which is often Anglicized to fair hero.

Early Origins of the Kerracher family

The surname Kerracher was first found in Stirlingshire, where traditionally this Clan is descended from Finlay Mor Farquharson, in turn descended from the ancient 11th century Thanes of Fife, through Shaw MacDuff, the first progenitor of the Farquharsons of the Braes of Mar. The descendants of Finlay Mor, a giant of a man, a man of daring and unequalled courage, settled in the lowlands with the name MacIanla, though, strangely, they had previously been called the Clan Eracher. It is claimed that the MacErachers of Perth also are descended from Finlay Mor. In the lowlands they became the Clan MacIanla. This was in turn anglicized to Finlayson, having many spellings, but approximately the same sound. The first Finlay married the heiress of the Garden, 'of that Ilk', and acquired those estates.

Early History of the Kerracher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerracher research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1450, 1455, 1478 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Kerracher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerracher Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Kerracher has been spelled Finlayson, Finleyson, Finlaison, Finlawson, Fynlawsone, Findlayson, Findleyson, Finlason, Findlaysoun, Finlaisone, Fynloson, McIanley, MacIanlay, MacKinlay, MacEracher, McEracher and many more.

Early Notables of the Kerracher family

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

Migration of the Kerracher family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Kerracher: George Finlayson, who settled in Maryland in 1774; John, Lewis and Thomas Finlayson all arrived in Pennsylvania between 1813 and 1832; John Finlason settled in Virginia in 1735. John McKeracher was on record in Montreal in 1821.

The Kerracher 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: Coelitus datum
Motto Translation: Given by God.