Hunter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


Hunter comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a hunter or someone involved in the chase.This name is derived the Latin word venator. 1 2

Early Origins of the Hunter family

The surname Hunter was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire. But while Scottish history places them in this area, we must remember that before the 5th century this Clan, held a family seat at Hy Seaain counties Derry and Tyrone, in Ireland, and were chiefs who calimes descent from King Colla da Crioch. Moving to Scotland about the 5th or 6th century they were granted lands by the Grahams at Polmood.

"William venator, who was one of the witnesses to the Inquisition of Earl David, before 1124, is apparently the first of the name recorded in Scotland. Yone Venatore was one of the witnesses to a Beauly charter of 1231. Adam Hunter was granted the hereditary office of sergeantry in all causes touching life and limb throughout the abbey land of Crauford belonging to the Abbey of Newbattle before 1259. John the hunter (venator) was one of the jurors on an inquisition made on the lands of Hopkelchoc (now Kailzie) in 1259." 3

"The family have been seated at Hunterston in Ayrshire since the time of Alexander II. They bear three hunting horns vert in their arms, whence probably the name." 4

"The Normans were great preservers and mighty hunters of game, and though the name is Anglo-Saxon (hunta) it is generally considered that the families bearing it are chiefly of Norman origin. Under the Norman and early Scottish kings the office of king's hunter ( Venator Regis) was one of considerable dignity. "The hunters of Polmood in Tweedsmuir pretend to have had a charter of their lands from Graeme, who broke through the Wall of Antoninus in the V. century." 5

Early History of the Hunter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hunter research. Another 285 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1296, 1327, 1328, 1375, 1376, 1547, 1555, 1664, 1666, 1675, 1684, 1701, 1702, 1710, 1718, 1720, 1725, 1728, 1729, 1733, 1734, 1737, 1741, 1742, 1745, 1750, 1753, 1757, 1763, 1771, 1775, 1777, 1780, 1783, 1790, 1793, 1795, 1800, 1809, 1821, 1835, 1837, 1846, 1890 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Hunter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Hunter include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Hunter, Hunters and others.

Early Notables of the Hunter family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Hunter World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hunter is the 130th most popular surname with an estimated 171,603 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Hunter is ranked the 146th most popular surname with an estimated 22,893 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hunter is the 523rd popular surname with an estimated 88 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Hunter as 106th with 24,996 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Hunter as 99th with 4,032 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Hunter as 103rd with 46,215 people. 11

Migration of the Hunter family to Ireland

Some of the Hunter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hunter migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hunter family emigrate to North America:

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Hunter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Hunter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Hunter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Hunter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Hunter migration to Australia +

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

Hunter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Hunter 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:

Hunter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Hunter migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
Hunter Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Hunter (post 1700) +


The Hunter 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: Cursum perficio
Motto Translation: I accomplish the race.


Suggested Readings for the name Hunter +
Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate