Carrithers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Carrithers. The Carrithers family lived in the land of Carruthers in the parish of Middlebie, Dumfriesshire. Interestingly in that area, the name is pronounced "Cridders." 1

Early Origins of the Carrithers family

The surname Carrithers was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where by the 12th century the family had become hereditary Stewards of the Annandale district of the border allied to the Bruces and the Stewarts.

One of the first records of the name was Simon Carruthers, parson of Middlebie, who swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296. A few years later, John de Carutherys received a charter of the lands of Musfald and Appliltrewayt in 1320. "Sir Nigel de Karrutheris, a cleric, who obtained the rectory of Rivel (Ruthwell) in 1330 is mentioned again in 1337 and 1351 as Nigel de Carrothorys, canon of Glasgow. In 1340 we find Sir Nigel de Karuther high chamberlain to the Regent, and in 1344, as Sir Nigel de Carother, he is named as chancellor of Robert Steward of Scotland. A charter was granted at Moysfald in 1361 in favor of John de Carotheris, Simon de Carrutheris witnessed a deed in 1394, and John of Carrutheris was one of the 'borowis' for the earl of Douglas's bounds of the West March in 1398." 1

Some of the family drifted south to England where Simon Carruders was listed in Northumberland, temp. Edward VI. By the 17th century, some were even found in London, which we shall explore in more detail later. 2

Early History of the Carrithers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carrithers research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1330, 1344, 1361, 1370, 1375, 1398, 1405, 1429, 1446, 1452, 1460, 1468, 1537, 1572, 1587, 1625, 1628, 1673, 1759, 1770, 1799, 1824, 1827, 1828, 1831, 1832, 1852, 1878 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carrithers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carrithers Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Carrithers has appeared as Carruthers, Carothers, Carouthers, Carrothers, Carruther, Carruthirs, Carruthers, Carrutherys, Cridders, Gridders and many more.

Early Notables of the Carrithers family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Andrew Carruthers (1770-1852), a Scotch Catholic prelate, "born at Glenmillan, near New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on 7 Feb. 1770. He studied for six years in the Scotch college at Douay, whence he returned to Scotland on the out-break of the French revolution. " 3His brother James Carruthers (1759-1832), the Scottish historian, "was a native of New Abbey in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. He was educated in the Scotch college at Douay, and on his return to Scotland was ordained priest and appointed to the extensive charge of Glenlivet. Afterwards he...
Another 211 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carrithers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Carrithers family to Ireland

Some of the Carrithers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 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 Carrithers family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: John Carruthers arrived in New York in 1804; followed by Robert and William who also arrived in New York in 1804; John and Sarah arrived in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1772..

Contemporary Notables of the name Carrithers (post 1700) +

Ira Thomson Carrithers (1886-1955), American football and basketball coach
Donald George "Don" Carrithers (b. 1949), American former professional baseball pitcher who played from 1970 to 1977
Michael Barnes Carrithers FBA (b. 1945), British anthropologist and academic, Professor of Anthropology at Durham University (1992-)

The Carrithers 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: Promptus et fidelis
Motto Translation: Ready and faithful.

Citations +

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print