McCurdy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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In the Scotland of ancient times, McCurdy was a name for a noted mariner or a sea captain. 1

Early Origins of the McCurdy family

The surname McCurdy 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 McCurdy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCurdy 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 McCurdy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCurdy Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, McCurdy has been spelled MacCurdy, MacKirdy, MacKirdie, MacCurdie, MacQuartie, MacBararthy, MacBerarthy, MacWerarthy, MacMurtrie, MacMutrie and many more.

Early Notables of the McCurdy 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...

McCurdy Ranking

In the United States, the name McCurdy is the 2,719^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3

Migration of the McCurdy family to Ireland

Some of the McCurdy 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.

McCurdy migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McCurdy arrived in North America very early:

McCurdy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James McCurdy, and his wife Elizabeth Ayers, who were recorded as Scotch-Irish living in New Hampshire in 1730
Archibald Mccurdy, who arrived in New England in 1737 with his five children
Archibald McCurdy, who landed in New England in 1737 4
Catherine McCurdy, who arrived in New England in 1738 4
John McCurdy, who arrived in New England in 1745 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McCurdy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh McCurdy, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1827 4
Robert McCurdy, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1835 4
James McCurdy, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1843 4
Lauchlan McCurdy, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1851 4
Lochlin McCurdy, aged 24, who landed in New York in 1854 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McCurdy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCurdy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Laughlin McCurdy U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 5
Mr. Neal McCurdy U.E. who settled in Grand Manan, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 5
Mr. Neil McCurdy U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 5

McCurdy migration to Australia +

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

McCurdy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander McCurdy, British Convict who was convicted in Blandecques, Hauts-de-France, France for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
John McCurdy, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 7

McCurdy 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:

McCurdy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Ann Mccurdy, (b. 1835), aged 33, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Light Brigade" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th August 1868 8
John McCurdy, aged 33, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen Bee" in 1872
Catrine McCurdy, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen Bee" in 1872
John McCurdy, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen Bee" in 1872
Rossan McCurdy, aged 8, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen Bee" in 1872
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McCurdy (post 1700) +

Elmer McCurdy (1880-1911), Oklahoma outlaw
David Keith McCurdy (b. 1950), American lawyer, politician, president of the American Gas Association
Charles Johnson McCurdy (1797-1891), American lawyer, diplomat, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (1847 to 1849)
Brendan McCurdy (b. 1984), American television actor
Michael McCurdy (b. 1942), American book illustrator, author, and publisher
Richard Clark McCurdy (1909-1997), American businessman, president of Shell Oil Co. from 1965-1969
Jennette McCurdy (b. 1992), American actress
John A. McCurdy (1841-1925), American Republican politician, Served in the Union Army during the Civil War; Member of Ohio State House of Representatives from Miami County, 1897 9
Delos McCurdy, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention 10th District, 1894 9
D. McCurdy, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1856 9
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McCurdy family +

The McCurdy 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.