Show ContentsCockultharde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cockultharde family

The surname Cockultharde was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway.)

"Explained as from Coltard-Colt herd, Old English colt + hierde. Of the Coultharts of Galloway a ridiculous genealogy has been published, in which the family are traced to one Coulthartus, a Roman soldier who fought in the battle of Mons Graupius." [1]

We prefer to say that this legendary origin is in question and while the phonetic comparison is undeniable, we concur that this origin of the name is quite dubious. One source claims the name was actually an occupational name as in 'the coltherd' [2] and another claims the name is from Coudhart, a village in the department of Orne, of Argentan in Normandy. [3]

Early History of the Cockultharde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockultharde research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1467, 1619, 1627, 1666, 1684, 1663, 1686, 1687, 1530, 1602 and 1657 are included under the topic Early Cockultharde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cockultharde 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. Cockultharde has appeared as Coltart, Colthart, Colthard, Colthert, Coltert, Coulthard and many more.

Early Notables of the Cockultharde family (pre 1700)

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cockultharde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cockultharde 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: Samuel Coltart who arrived in Philadelphia in 1841; Robert Coultart arrived in St. John Island 1775.



  1. 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)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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