Garr History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of GarrWhat does the name Garr mean? One of the most common classes of Scottish surnames is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the personal name of the original bearer's father. The surname Garr is derived from the Gaelic name O'Ciarain or O'Ceirin, which itself comes from the Gaelic word ciar, which means black or dark brown. 1 Another source explains a different understanding of the origin of the name: "The frequency with which such entries as Robert or William del Carr, or atte Carr, or Karr, or Kerr recur in Lancashire and Yorkshire records of the 13th and 14th centuries is explained by the fact that Carr or Kerr meant a low-lying meadow." 2 And another source notes: "the Cars or Kers are undoubtedly a very ancient people in this island, but it is uncertain whether they be of French or English extraction. Those who contend for the former, allege that the Baron Ker and other families of his name now existing in France, trace their origin higher than the time of William, Duke of Normandy, who, being attended by a considerable commander of their name in 1066, rewarded him for his bravery and conduct with divers possessions in the north of England." 3 Early Origins of the Garr familyThe surname Garr was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where one of the earliest records of a progenitor of the Clan was a John Ker, hunter, resident of Soonhope in 1190 AD. He is believed to have received a grant of land from the Crown and settled in the Border country of Scotland soon after the Norman invasion moved northwards. 4 Within a century, two main branches evolved from two brothers, Ralph and John who lived near Jedburgh in c. 1330. They were both listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey as having descended from the Norman Karre. 5 The Kerrs of Cessford were descended from Ralph, and the Kerrs of Ferniehurst were descended from John. Now we draw the reader's attention to a slightly different origin with a different timeline but similar. "Two brothers, of Anglo-Norman descent., who bore this name [Karre] are said to have settled in Scotland during the 13th century. No one known which was the elder of the two, for 'neither house would yield the superiority to the other, forming two distinct races of war-like Border chieftains.' The Kerrs of Fernihirst are represented by the Marquesses of Lothian, the Kers of Cessord by the Dukes of Roxburghe." 6 We believe that the reference to the 13th century is a typo, as it should have read 14th century (the 1300's) not the 1200's. Early History of the Garr familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garr research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1205, 1264, 1296, 1350, 1553, 1570, 1578, 1600, 1605, 1606, 1609, 1615, 1616, 1624, 1650, 1654, 1675, 1680, 1684, 1690, 1741, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Garr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Garr Spelling VariationsScottish surnames are distinguished by a multitude of spelling variations because, over the centuries, the names were frequently translated into and from Gaelic. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Garr has also been spelled Kerr, Car, Carr, Ker, Cearr (Gaelic) and many more. Early Notables of the Garr familyNotable among the family at this time was Mark Kerr (1553-1609), of Ferniehurst, who was made 1st Earl of Lothian in 1606; Robert Ker (1570-1650) of Cessford, who was created the 1st Earl of Roxburghe in 1616; Robert Kerr (or Carr), 1st Earl of Ancram (c. 1578-1654), a Scottish nobleman and writer; Robert Ker, 1st Earl of... Garr RankingIn the United States, the name Garr is the 10,630th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7 Migration of the Garr family to IrelandSome of the Garr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Garr, or a variant listed above: Garr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Garr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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: Sero sed serio Motto Translation: Late but in earnest.
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