Curd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The first family to use the name Curd lived in the area that was once the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. It is a name for a noted mariner or a sea captain. 1

Early Origins of the Curd family

The surname Curd was first found in the islands of Arran and Bute. Early records for the family are scarce. "In 1506 Gilcrist Makwrerdy held the lands of Bransar in Bute, and Finlay Makvreirdy had sasine of Brothok there in the same year. Donald Makwrarty of Birgadulknok appears in 1534; several M'Urartys appear as witnesses in Bute in 1540; and Sir James M'Wartye, a Pope's knight, appears as vicar of Kingarth in Bute, 1554 and 1556. James Makilveritie, chaplain in the chapel of S. Michael the Archangel in Rothesay Castle, between 1590-1600, appears in the Exchequer Rolls as McQuhirertie, McQuhirirtie, McQuheritie (these three spellings in 1596), McIliquharartie (1598), and Makquhirrirtie (1600). " 2

The MacMurtrie variant is "current in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, Gilbert Makmurtye was a witness in Edinburgh, 1508." 2

Early History of the Curd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curd research. Another 290 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1506, 1517, 1520, 1539, 1541, 1547, 1555, 1561, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1600, 1622, 1623, 1626, 1642, 1659, 1662, 1663, 1706, 1745, 1790, 1797, 1847, 1849, 1856, 1880, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1891, 1899, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1920, 1923, 1929, 1947, 1952, 1959, 1960 and 1961 are included under the topic Early Curd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curd Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of Curd include MacCurdy, MacKirdy, MacKirdie, MacCurdie, MacQuartie, MacBararthy, MacBerarthy, MacWerarthy, MacMurtrie, MacMutrie and many more.

Early Notables of the Curd family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

John McCurdy, who emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1745 prior to the Declaration of Independence. His grandson was Charles Johnson McCurdy (1797-1891) the American lawyer, diplomat, and...

Curd Ranking

In the United States, the name Curd is the 14,091^st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Curd family to Ireland

Some of the Curd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 147 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curd migration to the United States +

Many 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 Curd were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:

Curd Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Rich Curd, who landed in Virginia in 1658 4

Curd Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Isaiah Curd, who landed in Texas in 1830 4

Curd migration to Australia +

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

Curd Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Ann Curd who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Curd migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Curd Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Curd, aged 47, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
Sopia Curd, aged 47, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
John Curd, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
Rhoda Curd, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888

Contemporary Notables of the name Curd (post 1700) +

William Curd, American politician, Representative from Kentucky 1st District, 1890 6
Thomas H. S. Curd, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1932; Circuit Judge in West Virginia for the 8th Judicial Circuit, 1940-45 6
Freed Curd, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Kentucky State House of Representatives 5th District 6
Blake Curd, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from South Dakota at-large, 2010 6

The Curd 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: Dieu et mon pays
Motto Translation: God and my country.