Caraher Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The name Caraher is derived from the Gaelic MacFhearchair, which means 'son of Farquhar'. Farquhar is derived from the Gaelic word Fearchar, which means 'very dear one'. So, the name means 'son of the very dear one'.

Caraher Early Origins

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The surname Caraher was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where the family has a long and distinguished history dating back to the early Middle Ages. They claim descent from Farquhar Mackintosh who arrived in Braemar in 1382. The Clan was one of the principal members of the Clan Chattan (the Clan of the Cat), a powerful 26 Clan confederation. Accordingly, they rank as a sept of the Clan Chattan. Their alliance with the MacKintoshes was particularly strong and this proved quite advantageous, as the MacKintoshes were the captains of the Clan.

Caraher Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Caraher has appeared Farquharson, Farqharson, Farquharsen, MacFhearchair (Gaelic), Caraher and many more.

Caraher Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caraher research. Another 345 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1699 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Caraher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caraher Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Caraher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caraher In Ireland

Some of the Caraher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Caraher: Harry Farquharson, who came to Virginia in 1716; Alexander Farquharson, who is on record in Halifax Nova Scotia in 1795; Alexander Farquharson, along with John, Donald, Duncan, Peter and William, were among Scots banished to the American Plantations (Barbados) in 1745-7. Other records show John Farquharsen settling in Savanna, Georgia in 1822.

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: Fide et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.

Caraher Family Crest Products

Citations

Other References

Best, Hugh. Debrett's Texas Peerage. New York: Coward-McCann, 1983. Print. (ISBN 069811244X).
Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3).
Moncrieffe, Sir Ian of That Ilk and David Hicks. The Highland Clans The Dynastic Origins, Cheifs and Background of the Clans. New York: C.N. Potter, 1968. Print.
Hinde, Thomas Ed. The Domesday Book England's Heritage Then and Now. Surrey: Colour Library Books, 1995. Print. (ISBN 1-85833-440-3).
Fulton, Alexander. Scotland and Her Tartans: The Romantic Heritage of the Scottish Clans and Families. Godalming: Bramley, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-86283-880-0).
Catholic Directory For Scotland. Glasgow: Burns Publications. Print.
Scots Kith and Kin And Illustrated Map Revised 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Clan House/Albyn. Print.
Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies Scotch-Irish and German. Harrisburg: L.S. Hart, 1886. Print.
Dorward, David. Scottish Surnames. Glasgow: Harper Collins, 1995. Print.
Martine, Roddy, Roderick Martine and Don Pottinger. Scottish Clan and Family Names Their Arms, Origins and Tartans. Edinburgh: Mainstream, 1992. Print.
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The Caraher Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Caraher Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 11 November 2014 at 12:37.