Show ContentsMcWherter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

McWherter Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of McWherter

What does the name McWherter mean?

The McWherter surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Chruiteir," a patronymic created from the occupational byname "Cruiteir, " or "a player of the crwth."

Early Origins of the McWherter family

The surname McWherter 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 where the name is a variant of Macghruiter. 1

This Gaelic name literally means 'brewer's son.' The original name was "found principally in the south of Perthshire, about Glenaitney, and was common in Dunblane and Doune in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Macgruers of the North as a sept are merged mostly in the Frasers and adjoining clans. The earliest recorded of the name is Gilawnane McCrouder, witness in a charter to John de Cumre, 1447, and Gillert McGrevar, tenant of Dowart, Stragartna, 1499." 1

Early History of the McWherter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McWherter research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1526, 1684, 1734, 1749, 1807 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McWherter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McWherter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacWhirter, MacWhorter, MacQuirter, MacWherter, MacChruiter, MacWater, McWhirter, MacQuarter, MacChurter and many more.

Early Notables of the McWherter family

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McWherter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McWherter family to Ireland

Some of the McWherter 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.

McWherter migration to the United States +



McWherter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jane McWherter, Irish settler who arrived in New Jersey aboard the ship "Protection" in 1811 2
  • Andrew McWherter, aged 32, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Jasper" in 1828 3
  • John McWherter, aged 17, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Nimrod" in 1836 3
  • Arc McWherter, aged 19, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Isabella" in 1844 3
  • Sarah McWherter, aged 9, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Hampden" in 1846 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
McWherter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John McWherter, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1903
  • Samuel McWherter, aged 47, who landed in America, in 1912
  • Victor McWherter, aged 33, who settled in America, in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name McWherter (post 1700) +

  • Michael Ray "Mike" McWherter (b. 1955), American lawyer, businessman and politician in the U.S. state of Tennessee
  • Ned Ray McWherter (1930-2011), American Democratic Party politician, the 46th Governor of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995
  • Ned Ray McWherter (1930-2011), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2008; Governor of Tennessee, 1987-; Presidential Elector for Tennessee, 1996 4
  • James L. McWherter, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1956 5
  • George H. McWherter, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Superior Court Judge in Pennsylvania, 1932; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1936 5
  • Dottie McWherter, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 2004 5

The McWherter 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: Te Deum laudamus
Motto Translation: We praise thee, O God.
  1. 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)
  2. Passengers from Ireland retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from Passengers From Ireland arriving at American ports between 1811 and 1817 ISBN 0-8063-0870-2
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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