Show ContentsCaruthers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Caruthers was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Caruthers family lived in the land of Carruthers in the parish of Middlebie, Dumfriesshire. Interestingly in that area, the name is pronounced "Cridders." [1]

Early Origins of the Caruthers family

The surname Caruthers was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where by the 12th century the family had become hereditary Stewards of the Annandale district of the border allied to the Bruces and the Stewarts.

One of the first records of the name was Simon Carruthers, parson of Middlebie, who swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296. A few years later, John de Carutherys received a charter of the lands of Musfald and Appliltrewayt in 1320. "Sir Nigel de Karrutheris, a cleric, who obtained the rectory of Rivel (Ruthwell) in 1330 is mentioned again in 1337 and 1351 as Nigel de Carrothorys, canon of Glasgow. In 1340 we find Sir Nigel de Karuther high chamberlain to the Regent, and in 1344, as Sir Nigel de Carother, he is named as chancellor of Robert Steward of Scotland. A charter was granted at Moysfald in 1361 in favor of John de Carotheris, Simon de Carrutheris witnessed a deed in 1394, and John of Carrutheris was one of the 'borowis' for the earl of Douglas's bounds of the West March in 1398." [1]

Some of the family drifted south to England where Simon Carruders was listed in Northumberland, temp. Edward VI. By the 17th century, some were even found in London, which we shall explore in more detail later. [2]

Early History of the Caruthers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caruthers research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1330, 1344, 1361, 1370, 1375, 1398, 1405, 1429, 1446, 1452, 1460, 1468, 1537, 1572, 1587, 1625, 1628, 1673, 1759, 1770, 1799, 1824, 1827, 1828, 1831, 1832, 1852, 1878 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Caruthers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caruthers Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Caruthers has appeared as Carruthers, Carothers, Carouthers, Carrothers, Carruther, Carruthirs, Carruthers, Carrutherys, Cridders, Gridders and many more.

Early Notables of the Caruthers family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Andrew Carruthers (1770-1852), a Scotch Catholic prelate, "born at Glenmillan, near New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on 7 Feb. 1770. He studied for six years in the Scotch college at Douay, whence he returned to Scotland on the out-break of the French revolution. " [3]His brother James Carruthers (1759-1832), the Scottish historian, "was a native of New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. He was educated in the Scotch college at Douay, and on his return to Scotland was ordained priest and appointed to the extensive charge of Glenlivet. Afterwards he...
Another 211 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Caruthers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caruthers Ranking

In the United States, the name Caruthers is the 5,236th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Caruthers family to Ireland

Some of the Caruthers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Caruthers migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

Caruthers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Archibald Caruthers, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [5]
  • Jane Caruthers, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 [5]
  • John Caruthers, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [5]
  • M Caruthers, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [5]
  • Thomas Caruthers, who landed in New York in 1825 [5]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Caruthers migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Caruthers Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Caruthers, aged 23, a sawyer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Thomas Caruthers, aged 23, a sawyer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
  • John Caruthers, aged 21, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834

Contemporary Notables of the name Caruthers (post 1700) +

  • Marvin H. Caruthers (b. 1940), American biochemist, Distinguished Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder
  • Edward J. "Ed" Caruthers (b. 1945), American gold and silver medalist athlete who competed mainly in the men's high jump
  • Robert Lee Caruthers (1864-1911), American right-handed pitcher and right fielder
  • Robert Looney Caruthers (1800-1882), distinguished American attorney and politician
  • Samuel Caruthers (1820-1860), U.S. Representative from Missouri
  • Douglas "Jimmy" Caruthers (1945-1975), American racecar driver
  • Samuel Caruthers (1820-1860), American politician, Representative from Missouri 7th District, 1853-59
  • S. S. Caruthers, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1888 (member, Credentials Committee)
  • Robert Looney Caruthers (1800-1882), American politician, Member of Tennessee State House of Representatives, 1835; U.S. Representative from Tennessee 7th District, 1841-43; Justice of Tennessee State Supreme Court, 1854; Delegate from Tennessee to the Confederate Provisional Congress, 1861-62
  • Edward B. Caruthers, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1956
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Caruthers 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: Promptus et fidelis
Motto Translation: Ready and faithful.


  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. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)


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