Bowyly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The Bowyly family saga is rooted in the people of the Pictish Clan of ancient Scotland. The Bowyly family lived in Bellie, in Morayshire. The name is a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in that area. Some think that the name is derived from the occupational name of bailie, but our records cannot confirm that claim. Indeed much of the early records list many of the family in other occupations.

Early Origins of the Bowyly family

The surname Bowyly was first found in Moray, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Bowyly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowyly research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1643, 1648, 1650 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Bowyly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bowyly Spelling Variations

Prior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Bowyly include Bellie, Belley, Bealie, Beeley, Belley, Bely, Beayly, Beyley, Beilley, Bealy, Bellye, Belly and many more.

Early Notables of the Bowyly family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bowyly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bowyly family

The freedom of the North American colonies was enticing, and many Scots left to make the great crossing. It was a long and hard journey, but its reward was a place where there was more land than people and tolerance was far easier to come by. Many of these people came together to fight for a new nation in the American War of Independence, while others remained loyal to the old order as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of Scots in North America have recovered much of this heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and other such organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important and early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Bowyly: Jo, his wife Ann, and daughter Ann Barbara Bellie all settled in Georgia in 1737; John Bellie settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1754; James Beely settled in Virginia in 1635.

The Bowyly 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: Per acuta Belli
Motto Translation: Through the asperities of war.