Vicker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

In the Scotland of ancient times, Vicker was a name for a son of a vicar, who was a priest in charge of a parish in which most or all of the tithes were paid to another recipient, while the vicar received a stipend. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac a Bhiocair.

Early Origins of the Vicker family

The surname Vicker 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, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Vicker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vicker research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Vicker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vicker Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Vicker has been spelled MacVicar, MacViccar, MacVicker, MacVicer, MacWicar and many more.

Early Notables of the Vicker family

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

Migration of the Vicker family to Ireland

Some of the Vicker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vicker migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Vicker arrived in North America very early:

Vicker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Vicker, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 1

Vicker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Vicker, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 1
D Vicker, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 1
J L Vicker, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 1

Vicker 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:

Vicker Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. H. Vicker, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merchantman' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand and Auckland New Zealand on 6th September 1855 2
Mrs. Vicker, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merchantman' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand and Auckland New Zealand on 6th September 1855 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Vicker (post 1700) +

Margaret Vicker, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 1952 3

The Vicker 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: Tandem
Motto Translation: At length.

Citations +

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)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html