|
![Show Contents]() Worthey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Scotland
The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name Worthey. It is derived from the personal name Murdo. The Gaelic form of the surname was Mac Mhurchaidh, meaning son of Murdo. The name Murdo is equivalent to Murdock, and means sea warrior. Early Origins of the Worthey familyThe surname Worthey was first found in south Uist, in the Outer 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 from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Early History of the Worthey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Worthey research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1506 is included under the topic Early Worthey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Worthey Spelling VariationsIn the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Worthey has appeared as MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacUrchie, MacWurchie, MacWorthy, MacVurchie, Murchie and many more. Early Notables of the Worthey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Worthey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Worthey RankingIn the United States, the name Worthey is the 13,370th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Worthey familyMany settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Worthey were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Finlay McMurchie, his wife Catherine, and their five children, who settled in Wilmington, NC in 1774; Hugh McMurchie, his wife Elizabeth, and their five children, who arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774.
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.
|
