McKirdy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
McKirdy comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a noted mariner or a sea captain. 1
Early Origins of the McKirdy family
The surname McKirdy 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 McKirdy family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKirdy 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 McKirdy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McKirdy Spelling Variations
The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McKirdy has appeared as MacCurdy, MacKirdy, MacKirdie, MacCurdie, MacQuartie, MacBararthy, MacBerarthy, MacWerarthy, MacMurtrie, MacMutrie and many more.
Early Notables of the McKirdy family
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKirdy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the McKirdy family to Ireland
Some of the McKirdy 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.
McKirdy migration to the United States +
Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name McKirdy or a variant listed above:
McKirdy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- John McKirdy, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Anchoria" from Glasgow, Scotland 3
McKirdy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Christina McKirdy, aged 27, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 3
- John McKirdy, aged 21, originally from Crayford, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Saxonia" from London, England 3
- Sophia McKirdy, aged 33, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York, NY in 1921 aboard the ship "Albania" from Liverpool, England 3
- Louis McKirdy, aged 9, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York, NY in 1921 aboard the ship "Albania" from Liverpool, England 3
McKirdy migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
McKirdy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Robert McKirdy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Indus" in 1839 4
McKirdy 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:
McKirdy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Mrs. Margaret McKirdy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
- Miss Margaret McKirdy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
- Miss Ann McKirdy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
- Miss Marion McKirdy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
- Mr. William McKirdy, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Zambia" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd June 1862 5
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name McKirdy (post 1700) +
- Ed McKirdy, American musician
- Lewis McKirdy (b. 1987), Australian radio announcer, current host of Lunch on Triple J
The McKirdy 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.
Citations +