Show ContentsGarrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Garrick family lived among the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Their name is derived from the personal name Craig. Thus, Garrick is a patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, Garrick may also be of local origin, referring to those who lived in or near the place called Carrick in Ayrshire. 1

The name could have also been derived from the Gaelic, "carraig" meaning "rock." 2

Early Origins of the Garrick family

The surname Garrick was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, and were known as 'the men of Carrick'.

Duncan de Carrick (died 1250) was made the Mormaer (Earl) of Carrick by Scottish King Alexander I in 1186. He was a direct ancestor Robert the Bruce (Robert I), King of the Scots 1274-1329. Mestre Duncan de Carrike of county of Berewyke rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. 1

Early History of the Garrick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garrick research. Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1296, 1320, 1360, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1380, 1429, 1554, 1606, 1665, 1716, 1717, 1779 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Garrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garrick Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Garrick has appeared as Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.

Early Notables of the Garrick family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • David Garrick (1717-1779), was an English actor, born on 19 Feb. 1716, at the Angel Inn, Hereford, where his father, a captain in the army, was quartered on recruiting service. 3

Garrick Ranking

In the United States, the name Garrick is the 6,493rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4

Ireland Migration of the Garrick family to Ireland

Some of the Garrick 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 Garrick migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Garrick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francisco Garrick, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1823 5
  • Jose Garrick, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1823 5

Australia Garrick migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Garrick Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Isabella Garrick, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1860 aboard the ship "Ramillies" 6

New Zealand Garrick 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:

Garrick Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Garrick, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 7
  • Marion Garrick, aged 23, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 7
  • David Garrick, aged 32, a solicitor, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 8
  • Mary Garrick, aged 32, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 8
  • Mary Caroline Garrick, aged 7, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Garrick (post 1700) +

  • David Garrick (1717-1779), English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer, eponym of the Garrick Club, London and various Garrick Theatres in England, United States and Australia
  • Barbara Garrick (b. 1965), American actress, known for Jumper (2008), The Firm (1993) and Far from Heaven (2002).
  • Kenneth Neville Anthony Garrick (1950-2023), Jamaica-born Los Angeles-based graphic artist
  • Horace "Horrie" Garrick (1918-1982), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Batman (1969-1977)
  • Michael Garrick MBE (b. 1933), English jazz pianist and composer
  • Leon Vivian Garrick (b. 1976), Jamaican cricketer
  • Jack Garrick (1953-1999), prominent ichthyologist from New Zealand
  • Garrick "Garry" Roberts (1950-2022), Irish musician from Dublin, best known as the lead guitarist with The Boomtown Rats
  • Garrick Mallery (1831-1894), American ethnologist specializing in Native American sign language and pictographs
  • Garrick Mallery (1784-1866), American jurist and politician from Woodbury, Connecticut, President Judge of the Third Judicial District of Pennsylvania (1831-1836), father of Garrick Mallery


The Garrick 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: Garde bien
Motto Translation: Watch well.


  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)
  6. South Australian Register Tuesday 11 January 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAMILLIES 1860. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ramillies1860.shtml
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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