Garringer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Ireland
Scotland
England

The ancestors of the Garringer family lived among the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Their name is derived from the personal name Craig. Thus, Garringer is a patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, Garringer 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 Garringer family

The surname Garringer 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 Garringer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garringer 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 Garringer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garringer 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. Garringer has appeared as Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.

Early Notables of the Garringer family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John de Carrick (died c. 1380), a native of Carrick, Scotland, Chancellor of Scotland and Bishop-elect of Dunkeld (1370-1371.) David Garrick (1717-1779)...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garringer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Garringer family to Ireland

Some of the Garringer 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.

Garringer 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:

Garringer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Garringer, aged 22, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3

The Garringer 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.

Citations +

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)