The Strathclyde Briton clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Carrigay. It is derived from the
personal name Craig. Thus, Carrigay is a
patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, Carrigay may also be of
local origin, referring to those who lived in or near the place called Carrick in
Ayrshire.
Early Origins of the Carrigay family
The surname Carrigay was first found in
Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of
Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North
Ayrshire, and were known as 'the men of Carrick'. Duncan de Carrick (died 1250) was made the Mormaer (Earl) of Carrick by Scottish King Alexander I in 1186. He was a direct ancestor Robert the Bruce (Robert I), King of the Scots 1274-1329.
Early History of the Carrigay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carrigay research.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1296, 1370, 1380, 1370 and 1371 are included under the topic Early Carrigay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Carrigay Spelling Variations
The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different
spelling variations in a single document. Carrigay has been spelled Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.
Early Notables of the Carrigay family (pre 1700)
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carrigay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Carrigay family to Ireland
Some of the Carrigay family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Carrigay family to the New World and Oceana
The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American
War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them: Richard Carrick, who arrived in Virginia in 1650; Roger Carrick, who came to Virginia in 1672; Christian Carrick, a bonded passenger, who came to America in 1758.
The Carrigay 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: Garde bien
Motto Translation: Watch well.