Show ContentsOchterlonay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The annals of Scottish history reveal that Ochterlonay was first used as a name by descendants of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Ochterlonay family lived in Auchterlonie, near Forfar, in the county of Angus where the family dates back to the 12th century. 1

Early Origins of the Ochterlonay family

The surname Ochterlonay was first found in Forfarshire part of the Tayside region of North Eastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, where they were anciently an old family of Angus seated on the lands of Auchterlonie near Forfar from about the year 1200. The first on record was John Auchterlonie who exchanged his lands for his son's lands of Kenny, later Kelly, in 1226. 1

The Swedish family claims descent from Sea Captain Thomas Ouchterlony (1691-1777), son of Alexander Ouchterlony (ca. 1655-1735), merchant in Dundee and grandson of John Ouchterlony (1623-1695), minister in Aberlemno , Angus, Scotland, who served in the Swedish East India Company (1733 to ca.1748.) He settled in Karlshamn in 1748 and worked as a sea captain there until 1759 when he returned to Great Britain. Thomas' son, John Ouchterlony (1729-1776) sailed with his father to Karlshamn in 1748 and married Maria Margareta Hulst there.

Early History of the Ochterlonay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ochterlonay research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1388, 1410, 1430, 1457, 1514, 1518, 1643, 1648, 1661, 1663 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Ochterlonay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ochterlonay 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 Ochterlonay include Auchterlonie, Auchterlony, Ochterlonie, Ochterlony, Ouchterlony, Ochterlonee, Aughterlony, Aughterloney, Aughterlonie, Auchterlowney, Auchterlownie, Achterlonie, Achterlony, Oughterlonie and many more.

Early Notables of the Ochterlonay family

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

Migration of the Ochterlonay 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 Ochterlonay: John Auchterlony who settled in Maryland in 1740.



The Ochterlonay 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: Deus mihi adjutor
Motto Translation: God is my helper.


  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)


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