The ancestors of the Cluer family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the Gaelic word
Mac-Giolla-Uidhir, which literally means
son of the pale youth or
son of Odhar's servant. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)Early Origins of the Cluer family
The surname Cluer was first found in
Ayrshire and
Galloway, where John McLur and Robert McLure were first listed as followers of the Earl of Casilis in 1526. A few years later in 1532, Tomas Maklure was sergeant of Assize in Carrick. Interestingly, the earliest evidence of a
Clan piper was Robert MacLure who was piper to the chief of the Buchanans in 1600.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
Early History of the Cluer family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cluer research.
Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1807, 1873 and 1857 are included under the topic Early Cluer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cluer Spelling Variations
Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of
spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Cluer has been spelled MacClure, MacLure, MacCloor, McLeur, McCloor and others.
Early Notables of the Cluer family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Cluer Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Cluer family to Ireland
Some of the Cluer family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 265 words (19 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 Cluer family to the New World and Oceana
Settlers from
Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American
War of Independence. As
Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Cluer were among those contributors:
Cluer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Stephen Cluer, who landed in Maryland in 1676 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Cluer 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: Spectemur agendo
Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.