Contents [hide]

Munro History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Munro History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The Munro family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived near the foot of the river Roe in the Irish county of Derry. The Gaelic form of the name is Rothach, which means a man of Ro or a man from Ro.

Early Origins of the Munro family

The surname Munro was first found in Cromartyshire, where they were descended from Donadl O'Kane and his Irish sept, who left their homeland at the mouth of the river Roe, in Ireland and settler in Ferrindonald in Cromarty, in the 11th century. Other historians suggest the name was originally Monrosse, because they were Mountaineers of Ross. In this case, their traditional origin is from the Siol O'Cain, an ancient Pictish tribe descended from Anselan O'Cain in North Moray, which also produced the Buchanans and the MacMillans.

Early History of the Munro family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Munro research. Another 419 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1210, 1230, 1476, 1505, 1602, 1651, 1680, 1693, 1697, 1719 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Munro History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Munro Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Munro has been spelled Monroe, Monro, Monrow, Munroe, Munro, Munrow and many more.

Early Notables of the Munro family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Sir William Munro of Foulis (died 1505), a Scottish Knight and Scottish Clan chief of the highland Clan Munro, by tradition the 12th Baron of Foulis and 15th overall chief of the clan
Robert Monro of the Munro of Obsdale family (died 1680), a famous Scottish General, from the Clan Munro of Ross-shire
Sir George Munro, 1st Baronet of Newmore (1602-1693), Scottish soldier and Member of Parliament
Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet of Foulis (died 1697), 22nd Baron and 25th chief of the Clan Munro
Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis (died 1729), the 23rd Baron and 26th chief of the Clan Munro, known as the Blind Baron

Munro World Ranking

In the United States, the name Munro is the 5,657^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Munro is ranked the 441^st most popular surname with an estimated 10,699 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Munro is the 235^th popular surname with an estimated 14,441 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Munro as 118^th with 3,722 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Munro as 434^th with 14,803 people. 5

Munro migration to the United States +

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Munro:

Munro Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Munro, who settled in Georgia in 1741
Henry Munro, who arrived in New York in 1757 6
Harry Munro, who landed in New York in 1765 6
David Munro, who landed in New York in 1774 6
Florence Munro, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1774 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Munro Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Munro, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1800 6
Catharine Munro, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1807 6
Charley Munro, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1906 6
Jane Munro, who arrived in Iowa in 1872 6

Munro migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Munro Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Daniel Munro U.E., (Munroe) (b. 1738) born in Scotland from Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, USA who settled in Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia c. 1783 married to Mary Boyle having 4 children, he died in 1806 7
Mr. Daniel Munro U.E. who settled in Mallorytown, Front of Yonge, Ontario c. 1784 married having 5 children 7
Mr. Alexander Munro U.E. (b. 1754) who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1828 7
Capt. John Munro U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7
Mr. Hugh Munro U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Munro Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Munro, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1815
James Munro, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1815
Alexander Munro, aged 30, Scottish labourer, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 1 child
Alexander Munro, aged 22, Scottish carpenter who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 6
George Munro, aged 36, Scottish weaver who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 3 children 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Munro migration to Australia +

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

Munro Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Janet Munro, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Miss Margaret Munro, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Miss Jean Munro, Scottish Convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Mr. William Munro, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
James Munro, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Palmyra" in 1839 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Munro 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:

Munro Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Daniel Munro, aged 37, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Elisabeth Munro, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Ellen Munro, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Margaret Munro, aged 7, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Daniel Munro, aged 3, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Munro (post 1700) +

Eleanor Carroll Munro (1928-2022), American art critic, art historian, writer, and editor, known for her work on women artists
William D. Munro, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 17th District, 1974 12
William Albert Munro, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Cornwall, 1917 12
William Munro, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Chenango County, 1815-16 12
W. A. Munro, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1932 12
Ralph Munro, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Washington, 2008 12
Peter J. Munro, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Westchester County, 1814-15 12
Lawrence V. Munro, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 14th District, 1962 12
James M. Munro, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Onondaga County 1st District, 1854-55, 1863 12
James Munro, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Washington, 1948 12
... (Another 27 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Munro family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Ross Munro (1945-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Otorohanga, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 13

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Ellen Munro (1842-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Master Hugh Munro (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Miss Thelma Munro (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Mrs. Margaret Munro, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Mr. James Munro (1872-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Dorsetshire

Thomas Robert Douglas Munro, British Lieutenant Engineer aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 15

HMS Royal Oak

John Munro (d. 1939), British 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 16

Citations +

"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
"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)
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 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PALMYRA 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Palmyra.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.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