Show ContentsDunnachie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Dunnachie is a Dalriadan-Scottish name, no doubt originally for a person who lived on the lands of Stewart of Atholl. Anciently, they were known as Clan Donnachaidh, coming from the Gaelic name Donnachadh Reamhar, or Duncan the Stout, one of the Celtic Earls of Atholl. Most of the Clan took on the name Robertson, which comes from the personal name of 15th century Clan chief Robert Riach.

Early Origins of the Dunnachie family

The surname Dunnachie was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Dunnachie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunnachie research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1650 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Dunnachie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunnachie 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. Dunnachie has appeared in various documents spelled Robertson, Conachie, Conaghy, Conacher, Conaghy, Conchie, Donnachie, Donachie and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunnachie family

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

Ireland Migration of the Dunnachie family to Ireland

Some of the Dunnachie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 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 Dunnachie migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Dunnachie family emigrate to North America:

Dunnachie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Elizabeth Millar Dunnachie, aged 51, originally from Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 1
  • James Dunnachie, aged 26, originally from Clelland, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Caledonia" from Glasgow, Scotland 1
  • John Dunnachie, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1918 aboard the ship "Ortega" from Liverpool, England 1
  • John Hargreive Dunnachie, aged 20, originally from Ayr, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Dunnachie (post 1700) +

  • James Francis "Jimmy" Dunnachie JP (1930-1997), Scottish justice of the peace and politician who served as a Labour Party Member of Parliament from 1987 until 1997


The Dunnachie 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: Virtutis gloria merces
Motto Translation: Glory is the reward of valour.


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


Houseofnames.com on Facebook