Boughay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Boughay is an ancient Dalriadan-Scottish nickname for a person with fair hair. The surname Bowie is derived from the Gaelic word buidhe, which was used to describe a person with blonde hair. The surname Bowie is also derived from the Scottish Gaelic personal name Bowen, which refers to the son of Owen.

Early Origins of the Boughay family

The surname Boughay was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Boughay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boughay research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boughay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boughay Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Boughay has been written as Bowie, Bowey, Bowy, Bouwie, Bouwey, Bouwy, Bouwy, Bawie, Bawey and many more.

Early Notables of the Boughay family

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

Migration of the Boughay family to Ireland

Some of the Boughay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boughay family

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 Boughay or a variant listed above: Ann Bowie who settled in Carolina in 1774; Ralph Bowie settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1799; Mrs. Bowie settled in New Orleans with three children in 1823.

The Boughay 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: Coelestia seqor
Motto Translation: I follow heavenly things.