Show ContentsTainsh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Tainsh family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name Tainsh is derived from the given name Gregory. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Griogain, which translates as son of Gregory.

Early Origins of the Tainsh family

The surname Tainsh was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, as their origins can be traced back to Griogair, son of the eighth century King Alpin of Scotland, the High King of the Scots and Picts who died in 860 AD. Hence, their famous motto translates from Gaelic as 'Royal is my blood.' They are the principal branch of the Siol Alpine whose representative, King Kenneth the Hardy, was son of MacAlpin, the first King of the Scots.

Early History of the Tainsh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tainsh research. Another 491 words (35 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1587, 1603, 1640, 1671, 1734, 1888 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Tainsh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tainsh Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. Tainsh has appeared in various documents spelled MacGregor, MacGrigor, MacGrioghair (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Tainsh family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tainsh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tainsh family to Ireland

Some of the Tainsh family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Tainsh migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Tainsh or a variant listed above:

Tainsh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. A.G. Tainsh, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1895
  • Thomas Tainsh, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Tainsh Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Peter Tainsh, aged 26, who landed in America from Stretford, Eng., in 1908
  • John Tainsh, aged 4, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1910
  • Jane Tainsh, aged 25, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1910
  • Henry Tainsh, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1915
  • Wilhelmina Tainsh, aged 23, who settled in America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1921
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Tainsh (post 1700) +

  • Tracey Tainsh, American actress
  • Douglas Tainsh, American Hollywood writer


The Tainsh 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: 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream
Motto Translation: Royal is my blood.


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