![Show Contents]() Alowey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland
Alowey was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The ancestors of the Alowey family lived in Aberdeen but originally from Clackmannan. The name may be derived from the Gaelic alla which means wild and mhagh which means field. Early Origins of the Alowey familyThe surname Alowey was first found in the county of Clackmannanshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn), nicknamed the "wee county," it is the smallest Council Area of Scotland, located in southeastern Scotland. According to Black, the most likely source of their origin was Alloa in the Aberdeen area. 1 The first recorded spelling of the name was Alleway, about the year 1359. Alloway is a former Scottish village that is now a suburb of Ayr, best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns and the setting for his poem "Tam o' Shanter." In North America, the word Alloway is a Delaware Indian term meaning "beautiful tail" and refers to the black fox. Early History of the Alowey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alowey research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1440 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Alowey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Alowey Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Alowey has appeared Alloway, Alleway, Aloveious, Alloweious, Allaway, Alliway, Alloway, Aloway, Alaway, Aleway, Alewy, Alloways, Allawy, Aylwey and many more. Early Notables of the Alowey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Alowey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Alowey family to Ireland
Some of the Alowey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Alowey familyMany Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Alowey: William Alloway who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682; but John Alloway had settled in Virginia twenty years before. Mary Alloway arrived in 1770; and Samuel Alloway arrived in New Orleans in 1823..
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: Dei dono sum quod sum
Motto Translation: By the bounty of God I am what I am.
- 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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