Show ContentsTyrie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Tyrie was first used centuries ago in the region that was once the Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. It was a name for a carpenter or wright. The Gaelic form Mac an t-saoir means son of the carpenter. Most historians agree that their earliest habitations were on MacDonald territories on Kintyre. Most legends about their beginnings point to an origin in the Hebrides. From this point on, opinions differ. One legend has the Clan-an-t-Saor (Children of the Carpenter) arriving in Lorne in a galley with a white cow, another says that the galley, set adrift, developed a leak below the water line and the MacDonald Chieftain placed his thumb in the hole to keep the boat afloat. Spotting help at a distance, he cut off his thumb so that he could wave. He was ironically named the Carpenter or MacIntyre. Some claim that the family derived its name from a member of the MacDonalds who was called Cean-tire because of his ownership of lands on the peninsula of Kintyre.

Early Origins of the Tyrie family

The surname Tyrie was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where according legend, Maurice or Murdock, The Wright, (c.1150) became the first MacIntyre chief as a reward for helping his uncle, Somerled, King of Argyll and the Western Isles.

Early History of the Tyrie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tyrie research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1597, 1890, 1955 and 1991 are included under the topic Early Tyrie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyrie Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Tyrie has been spelled MacIntyre, MacIntire, MacIntre and many more.

Early Notables of the Tyrie family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

  • James Tyrie (1543-1597), was a Scottish Jesuit theologian, younger son of David Tyrie of Drumkilbo, Perthshire. "His family was connected by marriage with that of Lord Gray and of Lord Hume. " 1

Ireland Migration of the Tyrie family to Ireland

Some of the Tyrie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Tyrie migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Tyrie were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Tyrie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Tyrie, aged 24, who landed in America, in 1892
  • Maggie Tyrie, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1892
Tyrie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Lizzie Tyrie, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Dundee, in 1903
  • Wm. Tyrie, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Kilmanock, in 1906
  • Andrew Tyrie, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1906
  • John Tyrie, aged 23, who settled in America from Forfar, Scotland, in 1907
  • Mary Tyrie, aged 2, who immigrated to America from Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1907
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Tyrie migration to Australia +

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

Tyrie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Tyrie, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
  • Thomas Tyrie, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Charlotte Jane" 3
  • William G. Tyrie, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Charlotte Jane" 3
  • Robert Tyrie, aged 53, a ploughman, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 4
  • James Tyrie, aged 23, a plasterer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Nugget" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Tyrie (post 1700) +

  • James Tyrie (1543-1597), Scottish Jesuit theologian
  • Harold Joffre "Matthew" Tyrie (1915-2007), New Zealand track and field athlete bronze medalist as the 1938 British Empire Games
  • Andrew "Andy" Tyrie (b. 1940), Ulster loyalist, commander of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
  • Andrew Guy Tyrie (b. 1957), Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom


The Tyrie 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 ardua
Motto Translation: Through difficulties.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  3. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CHARLOTTE JANE 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/charlottejane1852.shtml
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EPAMINONDAS 1852. Retrieved www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1852.shtml
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 4th July 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nugget 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/nugget1854.shtml


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