{{ad}} |
|
|
Origins Available: |
| Scotland |
The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name Gorkuodale. It is derived from the Gaelic word Mac-Thorcaill which means son of Thor's cauldron, which is the Norse hero whose name refers to the cauldron of the thunder god.
The surname Gorkuodale 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 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gorkuodale research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1430, 1434, 1509 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Gorkuodale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In 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. Gorkuodale has appeared as MacCorquodale, MacCorquindale, MacCorkindale, MacCorkill and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Gorkuodale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Gorkuodale were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Archibald McCorkadale, who arrived in Jamaica in 1685; Duncan McCorquadale, who came to Jamaica in 1758; Christian McCorquodale, who arrived in Virginia in 1792.