McCormish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The roots of the McCormish family stretch back to the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands, who were the first to use the surname. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacChormaig, which derives from the given name Cormac, meaning charioteer.

Early Origins of the McCormish family

The surname McCormish was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McCormish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCormish research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1132, 1733, 1750, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1794, 1799, 1811, 1865 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCormish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCormish 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. McCormish has appeared as MacCormack, MacCormick, MacCormock, McCormick, McCormack, McCormock, Maccormick, Maccormack, Maccormock, McArmick, McCarmick, McCarmike, McKermick, Makarmik, McCornick, Cornick, Cormack, M'Kernock, MacCornack and many more.

Early Notables of the McCormish family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Joseph MacCormick (1733-1799), Scottish divine, son of John Maccormick, a minister at St. Andrews, born in that town 22 Jan. 1733. He graduated M.A. at St. Andrews University in 1750 and was granted a bursary in theology from the university exchequer in the same year. After serving for some years...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCormish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McCormish family to Ireland

Some of the McCormish family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 200 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McCormish family

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: Arthur, Barney, James, John, Patrick, William MacCormack all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.