Show ContentsFowlie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Fowlie family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Fowlie lived in the place called Foulzie in the parish of King Edward in the county of Aberdeen. The surname Fowlie belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Fowlie family

The surname Fowlie was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen at Foulzie. James Fowlie was listed in Bartholl Chapell in 1741. [1] Further to the south in Greenhow in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the Foulis family gained a family seat during the reign of James I. Originally held by the D'Arcys, that family had lost the lands during the reign of Henry VIII when it was reverted to the crown. [2]

Nearby, in Ingleby-Greenhow, the family of Foulis bought the lands from the Eures. From this branch , Henry Foulis, the historian and divine, was born at Ingleby manor-house in the middle of the 17th century. "The parish is now almost exclusively the property of Sir William Foulis, Bart., who is lord of the manor. Ingleby manor-house, the seat of Sir William Foulis, is a stately mansion of stone, finely situated on an eminence; it contains some oak carvings, and an ancient portrait of Queen Elizabeth." [2]

Early History of the Fowlie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fowlie research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1248, 1295, 1305, 1422, 1429, 1469, 1486, 1552, 1626, 1629, 1634, 1638, 1645, 1654, 1669, 1688, 1711 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Fowlie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fowlie Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Fowlie has appeared Fowlie, Fowley, Fowlis, Foulis and others.

Early Notables of the Fowlie family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir James Foulis, Lord Colinton (d. 1688), a Scottish judge; and his eldest son, James Foulis, Lord Reidfurd (1645?-1711), a Scottish judge; Henry Foulis (1638-1669), an English academic theologian and controversial author; Sir Alexander Foulis, made a Baronet June 7th 1634; Sir David Foulis, 1st Baronet Foulis was Custos Rotulorum (keeper of...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fowlie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Fowlie family to Ireland

Some of the Fowlie 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.


United States Fowlie migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Fowlie:

Fowlie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Coutts Fowlie, aged 44, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1907
  • Williamina Fowlie, aged 45, who immigrated to the United States from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1908
  • Emma Fowlie, aged 5, who landed in America from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1908
  • Charles Fowlie, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1910
  • Robert Fowlie, aged 67, who landed in America from Leicester, England, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Fowlie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fowlie Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Joseph William Fowlie, aged 27, who settled in London, Ont, Canada, in 1907

Contemporary Notables of the name Fowlie (post 1700) +

  • Wallace Fowlie (1908-1998), American writer and professor of literature
  • Heather Fowlie (b. 1965), also known as Heather Rankin, Canadian silver medalist curler from Calgary who won the provincial junior championships in 1984 and would skip the Nova Scotia team at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships
  • Walter Fowlie, New Zealand field assistant with a New Zealand Antarctic Research Program (1981–1982), eponym of the Fowlie Glacier, Antarctica
  • Brenda Fowlie (b. 1953), Canadian journalist and politician


The Fowlie 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: Mente manuque praesto
Motto Translation: Ready with heart and hand.


  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. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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