Carothers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
In ancient Scotland, Carothers was a Strathclyde-Briton name for someone who lived in the land of Carruthers in the parish of Middlebie, Dumfriesshire. Interestingly in that area, the name is pronounced "Cridders." 1
Early Origins of the Carothers family
The surname Carothers was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where by the 12th century the family had become hereditary Stewards of the Annandale district of the border allied to the Bruces and the Stewarts.
One of the first records of the name was Simon Carruthers, parson of Middlebie, who swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296. A few years later, John de Carutherys received a charter of the lands of Musfald and Appliltrewayt in 1320. "Sir Nigel de Karrutheris, a cleric, who obtained the rectory of Rivel (Ruthwell) in 1330 is mentioned again in 1337 and 1351 as Nigel de Carrothorys, canon of Glasgow. In 1340 we find Sir Nigel de Karuther high chamberlain to the Regent, and in 1344, as Sir Nigel de Carother, he is named as chancellor of Robert Steward of Scotland. A charter was granted at Moysfald in 1361 in favor of John de Carotheris, Simon de Carrutheris witnessed a deed in 1394, and John of Carrutheris was one of the 'borowis' for the earl of Douglas's bounds of the West March in 1398." 1
Some of the family drifted south to England where Simon Carruders was listed in Northumberland, temp. Edward VI. By the 17th century, some were even found in London, which we shall explore in more detail later. 2
Early History of the Carothers family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carothers research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1330, 1344, 1361, 1370, 1375, 1398, 1405, 1429, 1446, 1452, 1460, 1468, 1537, 1572, 1587, 1625, 1628, 1673, 1759, 1770, 1799, 1824, 1827, 1828, 1831, 1832, 1852, 1878 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carothers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Carothers Spelling Variations
In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Carothers has been spelled Carruthers, Carothers, Carouthers, Carrothers, Carruther, Carruthirs, Carruthers, Carrutherys, Cridders, Gridders and many more.
Early Notables of the Carothers family
Notable amongst the family at this time was Andrew Carruthers (1770-1852), a Scotch Catholic prelate, "born at Glenmillan, near New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on 7 Feb. 1770. He studied for six years in the Scotch college at Douay, whence he returned to Scotland on the out-break of the French revolution. " 3
His brother James Carruthers (1759-1832), the Scottish historian, "was a native of New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. He was educated in the Scotch college at Douay, and on his return to Scotland was ordained priest and appointed to the extensive charge of Glenlivet. Afterwards he...
Another 211 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carothers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Carothers Ranking
In the United States, the name Carothers is the 5,315th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4
Migration of the Carothers family to Ireland
Some of the Carothers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Carothers migration to the United States +
Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:
Carothers Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Andrew Carothers, who landed in Tennessee in 1773 5
Carothers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Thomas B Carothers, aged 21, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 5
- Robert Carothers, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 5
- Samuel Carothers, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1852 5
- John Carothers, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1887 5
Carothers Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- J.M. Carothers, who landed in America, in 1904
- Michael Carothers, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from Manchester, Eng., in 1908
- Florence Carothers, aged 21, who landed in America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1909
- Elizabeth Enid Carothers, aged 23, who immigrated to America, in 1910
- Jane M. B. Carothers, aged 62, who landed in America, in 1910
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Carothers migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Carothers Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
- Andria Carothers, aged 3, destined for Canada, in 1903
Contemporary Notables of the name Carothers (post 1700) +
- Wallace Hume Carothers (1896-1937), American industrial chemist, inventor and the leader of organic chemistry at DuPont, credited with the invention of nylon and Neoprene
- Thomas Carothers (b. 1956), American academic, one of the most noted international experts on international democracy support, democratization, and U.S. foreign policy
- Isaac "Ike" Sims Carothers, American politician, former alderman of the 29th Ward on the far west side of the City of Chicago (1999-2010)
- Estrella Eleanor Carothers (1882-1957), American zoologist, geneticist, and cytologist known for her work with grasshoppers
- Donald E. "Crutch" Carothers (1934-2008), American football offensive end who played one season with the Denver Broncos in 1958
- Robert Carothers (b. 1942), American academic, 10th President of the University of Rhode Island from 1991 to 2009
- Craig Carothers, American singer-songwriter, best known for his song "Little Hercules," recorded for Trisha Yearwood's 1996 album Everybody Knows which went gold
- A. J. Carothers (1931-2007), American playwright and television writer, best known for his work with Walt Disney
- Dennis Carothers Stanfill, American business executive, Rhodes Scholar and philanthropist, CEO of the 20th Century Fox Film Corporation (1971-1981)
The Carothers 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: Promptus et fidelis
Motto Translation: Ready and faithful.
Citations +
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)