Show ContentsMcCurry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name McCurry. The McCurry family lived the place named Currie, derived from Gaelic curraigh, in Midlothian, on record since 1230. Some instances of this name in Scotland are also known to have derived the place name Corrie in Dumfriesshire.

Early Origins of the McCurry family

The surname McCurry was first found in Midlothian, where "Philip de Curry granted the lands of Dalhengun and Bargower in Kyle to the Abbey of Melrose, 1179. About 1210 Peter de Curri witnessed a charter by Malcolm Loccard, and John Curry of Scotland is mentioned in an Annandale charter, 1238." 1

"Hugh de Corrie witnessed a charter of a fishery in Torduf c. 1194-1211, and as de Corri he witnessed resignation of land in Weremundebi and Anant within the same period. Radulph de Cony witnessed a charter by Henry de Grahame a. 1200." 1

In England, Dodda æt Curi was listed as an Old English Byname in Somerset c1075; and Richard de Cury was listed in Somerset in 1212. 2 Curry, Curry-Mallet, North Curry and Curry-Rivell are all found in Somerset. It is thought that North Curry is the oldest as "this place appears to have been known to the Romans, an urn containing a quantity of silver coins of that people having been discovered in 1748: it was subsequently held by the Saxon kings, and retained in demesne by the Conqueror." 3

Later records show Robert atte Curie in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

Early History of the McCurry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCurry research. Another 544 words (39 lines of text) covering the years 1179, 1243, 1260, 1271, 1274, 1291, 1296, 1330, 1339, 1342, 1362, 1364, 1379, 1398, 1400, 1449, 1506, 1511, 1526, 1528, 1547, 1549, 1570, 1641, 1652, 1689, 1691, 1693, 1780, 1799, 1817, 1820, 1840, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCurry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCurry 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. McCurry has appeared as Currie, Curry, Currey and others.

Early Notables of the McCurry family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir Frederick Currie (1799-1875), Indian official, third son of Mark Currie of Cobham, Surrey, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Close of Easby, Yorkshire, was born on 3 Feb. 1799. He was educated at Charterhouse and the East India Company's College...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCurry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCurry Ranking

In the United States, the name McCurry is the 4,718th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4

Ireland Migration of the McCurry family to Ireland

Some of the McCurry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 202 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McCurry 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:

McCurry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Angus McCurry, who landed in North Carolina in 1774 5
McCurry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • H McCurry, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
  • W. McCurry, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
McCurry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry McCurry, aged 20, who landed in America from Antrim, in 1900
  • Ester McCurry, aged 18, who landed in America from Armagh, Ireland, in 1904
  • Jane McCurry, aged 19, who landed in America from Antrim, in 1904
  • William McCurry, aged 38, who settled in America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1904
  • James McCurry, aged 23, who settled in America from Armagh, in 1905
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada McCurry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCurry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Kenneth McCurry, aged 23 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wakefield" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 6

Contemporary Notables of the name McCurry (post 1700) +

  • Steve McCurry (b. 1950), American photojournalist, best known for his famous photograph "Afghan Girl" which was originally appeared in National Geographic for which he was awarded the Robert Capa Gold Medal for Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad
  • Michael Demaree "Mike" McCurry (b. 1954), American communication consultant, the 21st White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton (1994-1998)
  • Jeffrey Dee "Jeff" McCurry (b. 1970), retired American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1995 to 1999
  • Thomas Michael "Mike" McCurry (b. 1964), Scottish football referee and Baptist Associate Pastor at the Mosspark Baptist Church in Glasgow
  • Michael McCurry (b. 1964), Scottish football referee, Baptist Associate Pastor
  • Mrs. Karen Anne McCurry B.E.M., British Manager for Multiple Sclerosis Centre for Mid Argyll was appointed the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Healthcare and charity
  • Mr. Joseph Gabriel McCurry B.E.M., British recipient of Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to the community in Dungannon 7
  • Francis Joseph "Duke" McCurry (1900-1965), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey left winger with the Pittsburgh Pirates


  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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 43)
  7. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


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