McMartin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The ancestors of the first family to use the name McMartin lived among the Dalriadan people of ancient Scotland. The name McMartin was given to someone who lived in either Cameron near Edinburgh, Cameron in Lennox, or Cameron in Fife. Thus, the name Camerons of the Lowlands is of territorial origin, from one of the three places so called. The Highland Clan name Cameron may come from the Lowland name, but it is also derived from the Gaelic word cam-shron, which means wry or hook-nosed.

The Cameron Clan was described as 'Fiercer than fierceness itself' and it was reputed to be one of the most ancient clans of Scotland. The hereditary name of the chiefs of the Clan is MacDhomnuill Duibh, from their ancestor "Black Donald".

The first assured chief of the clan was not found until 1411, when Donald Du reigned in that year. Following this date, the clan split into three separate branches, one each at Letterfinlay, Strone and Glen Nevis, with the clan seat at Lochaber.

Early Origins of the McMartin family

The surname McMartin was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, among the hills which surrounded Lochy, Arkaig, and Ely.

The Camerons are said to have traditionally descended from the Kings of Denmark and probably assisted in the restoration of King Fergus II in 404. The first written records of the Cameron Clan date back to the 13th century.

In 1214, Adam de Kamerun was witness to a charter to the monks of Cupar. In 1219, Hugh Cambrun was the sheriff of Forfar and in 1233, Johannes Cambron was a charter witness in Moray. In 1360, the Cameron Clan received the first official grant of the lands of Lochaber and they were later granted Locheil, and Locharkaig, by the Lord of the Isles.

In 1360 they received the first official grant of the lands of Lochaber. They were later granted Locheil, and Locharkaig, by the Lord of the Isles. The Camerons were continually at feud with the Clan Chattan, and notable amongst the battles was that of Charles Hill. Suffering defeat in 1370 they rose to prominence at the Battle of Harlaw, but again were forfeited. King James IV restored their lands in 1493.

Early History of the McMartin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMartin research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1422, 1423, 1446, 1579, 1625, 1629, 1647, 1680, 1693, 1695, 1715, 1719, 1748, 1793 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McMartin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMartin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McMartin has been spelled Cameron, MacGuillonies, MacSorlies and many more.

Early Notables of the McMartin family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was John Cameron (d. 1446), Bishop of Glasgow and chancellor of Scotland, said to have belonged to a family of Edinburgh burghers, and to have drawn his name more remotely from the Camerons of Craigmillar, and not, as was formerly asserted, from the Camerons of Lochiel. In 1422 he was appointed official of Lothian by Archbishop Wardlaw of St. Andrews (Crawfurd). Two years later he was acting in the capacity of secretary to the Earl of Wigtown (December 1423), who gave him the rectory of Cambuslang in Lanarkshire. 1 John Cameron (1579?-1625), was a Scottish...
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMartin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMartin Ranking

In the United States, the name McMartin is the 16,829^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McMartin family to Ireland

Some of the McMartin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMartin migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McMartin were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

McMartin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter McMartin, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1775 3
Duncan McMartin, who arrived in New York in 1789 3

McMartin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Finlay McMartin, aged 46, who landed in New York in 1812 3

McMartin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMartin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John McMartin U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 4
Mr. John McMartin U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 4
Mr. Malcolm McMartin U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Williamsburgh, South Dundas, Ontario c. 1784 4
Mr. Malcolm McMartin U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Charlottesburgh [South Glengarry], Ontario c. 1784 4

McMartin migration to Australia +

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

McMartin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Peter McMartin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 5
Peter McMartin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1840 6
Charlotte McMartin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1840 6
Peter John McMartin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1840 6

McMartin 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:

McMartin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Duncan McMartin, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 7

Contemporary Notables of the name McMartin (post 1700) +

John McMartin (1929-2016), American five-time Tony award winning, four-time Drama Desk Award winning actor of stage, film and television, inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2009
Peter McMartin (1805-1870), American politician, 2nd Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey (1840-1841)
Duncan McMartin Jr. (1776-1837), American politician, Member of the New York State Senate (1820-1822)
Barbara McMartin (1931-2005), American mathematician
Grant McMartin (b. 1970), Scottish former professional footballer
John McMartin (1870-1918), Canadian businessman and politician who represented Glengarry and Stormont, Ontario from 1917 to 1918
Trent McMartin, Canadian music journalist and entertainment writer
Alexander McMartin (1788-1853), Canadian businessman and politician in Upper Canada, the first person born in Upper Canada to serve in its Legislative Assembly

The McMartin 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: Aonaibh ri cheile
Motto Translation: Unite