Show ContentsMacCullock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient name MacCullock was first used by the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Cullach, meaning boar.

Early Origins of the MacCullock family

The surname MacCullock was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway where one of the first on record was Andrew MacCulloch who served King William the Lion of Scotland and received the lands of Myretoun (now Monreith near Whitehorn in Wigtown). However ancient records show the Clan as being mentioned in the year 743 in that area.

Early History of the MacCullock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCullock research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1354, 1470, 1640, 1697 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacCullock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacCullock Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. MacCullock has been spelled MacCulloch, MacCullagh, MacCully, MacCullough, MacCulley, MacCullaugh, MacCullock, MacCullie, MacLulich and many more.

Early Notables of the MacCullock family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir Godfrey McCulloch, 2nd Baronet of Mertoun (c.1640-1697), a Scottish politician executed for the murder of William Gordon who died from a shot in the leg, partly as a result of a long-standing feud. Following the execution, much of his family emigrated to America...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCullock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the MacCullock family to Ireland

Some of the MacCullock 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 MacCullock migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

MacCullock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Barbara and Hugh MacCullock, who settled in Maryland in 1774

Australia MacCullock migration to Australia +

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

MacCullock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Hugh Maccullock, (b. 1803), aged 37, British convict who was convicted in Colaba, Mumbia, India for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Eudora" on 25th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales 1
  • Mr. Christopher MacCullock, English convict who was convicted in Salford, Great Manchester, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Candahar" on 26th March 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2


The MacCullock 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: Vi et animo
Motto Translation: By strength and courage.


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th May 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eudora
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/candahar


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