Skrimgeour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Some surnames are derived from the occupation of the person who first held the name. Skrimgeour is most likely such a name, referring to one who was a fencing-master, coming from the old French "eskermisseour", meaning "fencer" and which came in turn from the old high German word "skirmen", which meant "to defend". Such fencing-masters always found plentiful employment in medieval Europe, though they were officially banned from some large cities, such as London, because they could be a dangerous influence on others. Notice the similarities between the name Skrimgeour and the modern English word "skirmisher".

Scrimshaw is the name given to scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory. No one known why this name was attributed to whalers who spent their leisure time carving such works.

Early Origins of the Skrimgeour family

The surname Skrimgeour was first found in Fife, where some records speak of a Clan Scrymgeour, who held the position of hereditary standard-bearers of Scotland.

One of them, known originally as Alexander, son of Colyn, son of Carun, obtained in 1293 a lease of the land or Torr from Thomas de Kylmaron for his services in this position of standard-bearer.

By 1298, Alexander had adopted the name 'Skirmeschur' and had a charter for some lands near Dundee from Sir William Wallace, Guardian of the Kingdom. Along with the lands came the title of Constable of the Castle of Dundee and this became a hereditary office of the Chief of the Scrimgeours.

Eight years later, he was taken as a prisoner of war and was hung at Newcastle-on-Tyne on the express orders of Edward I.

Early History of the Skrimgeour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Skrimgeour research. Another 280 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1124, 1298, 1310, 1411, 1503, 1505, 1538, 1544, 1550, 1572, 1575, 1576, 1612 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Skrimgeour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Skrimgeour Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Scrimgeor, Scrimshaw, Scrimshawe, Scrimshire, Scrimsger, Scrymgeour, Scrymgeor, Scrimger and many more.

Early Notables of the Skrimgeour family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Henry Scrimgeour or Scrymgeour (c. 1505-1572), Scottish born diplomat and book collectorJohn Scrimgeour of Myres Castle, Fife was Master of Work for royal buildings for James V and Mary, Queen of Scots, and Precentor of the Scottish Chapel Royal fl 1538.John Scrymgeour, 3rd Viscount Dudhope and 1st Earl of Dundee (d. 1668), was a Scottish peer who fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Sir James Scrymgeour (1550?-1612), of Dudhope, "Constable of Dundee, was descended from Sir Alexander Carron, called 'Skirmisheour,' who was standard-bearer to Alexander I (1106-1124), an office still held...
Another 116 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Skrimgeour Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Skrimgeour family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Scrimiger arrived in New York in 1774; Peter Scrimsger settled in Savannah Georgia in 1820; H. Scrymgerim settled in Jamaica in 1774.

The Skrimgeour 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: Dissipate
Motto Translation: Dispursed.