Dewart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the forefathers of the Dewart family. It is a name for a pilgrim from the Gaelic word deoradh. The deoradh kept the relics of saints. The family have been the hereditary custodians of St. Fillan's Crozier. 1

Early Origins of the Dewart family

The surname Dewart was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Dewarton is a village, in the parish of Borthwick, county of Edinburgh. It is here that the Dewar family have held the estate of Vogrie since early times. 2

Early History of the Dewart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dewart research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1296 is included under the topic Early Dewart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dewart Spelling Variations

Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Dewart has been written Dewar, Dure, Dewyer, Dewer, McIndeor, McJarrow and many more.

Early Notables of the Dewart family

More information is included under the topic Early Dewart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dewart migration to the United States +

Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Dewart:

Dewart Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Dewart, aged 27, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Umbria" from Liverpool, England 3
Mathilda Dewart, aged 64, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool, Queenstown 3
Edward H. Dewart, aged 67, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool, Queenstown 3
William Dewart, aged 18, originally from Glasgow, arrived in New York in 1898 aboard the ship "City of Rome" from Glasgow, Scotland 3

Dewart Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Lizzie Dewart, aged 29, originally from Belfast, arrived in New York in 1900 aboard the ship "Oceanic" from Liverpool, England 3
Wm. Dewart, aged 20, originally from Glasgow, arrived in New York in 1900 aboard the ship "City of Rome" from Greenock 3
Mrs. Hartley Dewart, aged 30, originally from Coulsom, England, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Minnehaha" from London, England 3
Harry M DeWart, aged 40, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 3
William Dewart, aged 59, destined for Boston, Mass., arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Southampton, England 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Dewart (post 1700) +

Thomas W. Dewart, American publisher and president of the New York Sun in the 1920s
Murray Dewart (b. 1947), American sculptor best known for his large gate-like structures in granite and bronze
William Lewis Dewart (1821-1888), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 11th District, 1857-59 4
Wesley Abner D'Ewart (1889-1973), American Republican politician, Member of Montana State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Montana 2nd District, 1945-55; Candidate for U.S. Senator from Montana, 1954 4
Lewis Dewart (1780-1852), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 9th District, 1823-26; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 9th District, 1831-33 4
Leslie Dewart (1922-2009), Spanish-born, Canadian philosopher and Professor Emeritus at the Graduate Department of Philosophy and the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto
Cecil Sean McWilliam Dewart, Canadian lawyer, partner in the Toronto law firm, Dewart Gleason LLP
Edward Hartley Dewart (1828-1903), Irish-born Canadian Methodist clergyman, author and editor of the official Methodist journal The Christian Guardian
Herbert Hartley Dewart (1861-1924), Canadian lawyer and politician, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party (1919-1921)
Lewis Dewart Apsley (1852-1925), American politician, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (1893-1897)

The Dewart 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: Quid non pro patria
Motto Translation: What would not one do for his country.

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html