McKindewer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

An ancient Scottish people known as the Picts were the forefathers of the McKindewer family. McKindewer is a name for a pilgrim from the Gaelic word deoradh. The deoradh kept the relics of saints. The family have been the hereditary custodians of St. Fillan's Crozier. 1

Early Origins of the McKindewer family

The surname McKindewer was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Dewarton is a village, in the parish of Borthwick, county of Edinburgh. It is here that the Dewar family have held the estate of Vogrie since early times. 2

Early History of the McKindewer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKindewer research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1296 is included under the topic Early McKindewer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKindewer Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name McKindewer include Dewar, Dure, Dewyer, Dewer, McIndeor, McJarrow and many more.

Early Notables of the McKindewer family

More information is included under the topic Early McKindewer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKindewer family

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of McKindewer: William and his wife Jane Dewar and two children settled in Antigua in 1774; John Dewar arrived in New York in 1823; Steven Dewer arrived in Antigua in 1679.

The McKindewer 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: Quid non pro patria
Motto Translation: What would not one do for his country.

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.