Show ContentsMcCuaig History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the McCuaig family

The surname McCuaig was first found in the Hebrides (Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar), in the present day Council Area of Western Isles, a region controlled by the Norwegians prior to the Treaty of Perth in 1266, where they held a family seat in this wild and romantic highland territory. Their territories were first located in Islay and they became associated as a sept of the MacDonald Clan. Allegiances were important in this terrain. The Hebridean Islands were a refuge from Government intrusion. Later they were also found on the isle of Arran.

Early History of the McCuaig family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCuaig research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCuaig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCuaig Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacQuaig, McQuaig, McQuag, MacQuag, MacCuaig, McCuaig, McCowag, MacCowag, McCrivag and many more.

Early Notables of the McCuaig family

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


United States McCuaig migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCuaig Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Hannah McCuaig, aged 11, who landed in America from Greenoch, Scotland, in 1907
  • Molly M. McCuaig, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States from Bexhill, England, in 1918
  • Edith E. McCuaig, aged 24, who settled in America from Bexhill, England, in 1918
  • Robert McCuaig, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1920

Canada McCuaig migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCuaig Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Malcom/Malcolm McCuaig/McCoick, aged 50, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Catharine McCuaig/McCoick, aged 45, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Mary McCuaig/McCoick, aged 23, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Florence McCuaig/McCoick, aged 14, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • Christian McCuaig/McCoick, aged 9, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Baltic Merchant" in 1815
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
McCuaig Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Clarence J. McCuaig, aged 53, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1908

Australia McCuaig migration to Australia +

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

McCuaig Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Neil McCuaig, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 10 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 9th Mary 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name McCuaig (post 1700) +

  • Major-General George Eric McCuaig (1885-1958), Canadian Commandant at Camp Borden [2]
  • James Simeon McCuaig (1819-1888), Canadian businessman and politician who represented Prince Edward in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1872
  • Scott McCuaig (b. 1984), Canadian-born CFL defensive lineman who played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions from 2009 to 2010
  • Duncan John McCuaig (1882-1960), Canadian politician, Member of Parliament from Saskatchewan
  • Duncan Fletcher McCuaig (1889-1950), Canadian Member of Parliament from Ontario, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North (1935-1945)
  • Bradley McCuaig (b. 1970), Canadian Olympic sprinter


The McCuaig 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  2. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 3) George McCuaig. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McCuaig/George_Eric/Canada.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook