Show ContentsGarrigle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Garrigle family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in the lands of Cargill in east Perthshire where the family at one time had extensive territories. However, the Gorrigal variant originates in Corrigall in Harray on the Orkney Islands.

Early Origins of the Garrigle family

The surname Garrigle was first found in East Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Cargill is a parish containing, with the villages of Burreltown, Wolfhill, and Woodside.

"This place, of which the name, of Celtic origin, signifies a village with a church, originally formed a portion of the parish of Cupar-Angus, from which, according to ancient records, it was separated prior to the year 1514." 1

Some of the first records of the family include Walter de Kergyl who witnessed a quitclaim of the land of Drumkerauch in 1260, Bernard de Kergylle who received a gift of the lands of Leisington from William de Munificheth in 1283, and Iwyn de Garghille of the county of Strivelyn and Wauter de Kergille of the county of Perth who rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England. Bernard de Kergylle had a confirmation charter of the lands of Culmelly and of Ald Culmelly in the barony of Cusseny (Cushnie) in 1374 and William de Kergill was granted a charter in favor of the Friars Preachers of Aberdeen in 1401. Symon Cargyl held part of Kethyk in 1457 and was tenant of Park of Newbyggyn, 1473. 2

Further to the south in England, Cowgill is an ecclesiastical district, in the parochial chapelry of Dent, parish and union of Sedbergh in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Colgyll and Alicia de Colgyll as holding lands there at that time. 4

In 1481 a letter of denisation was issued to John Kergyll, clerk, a Scotsman living in Kent. 2

Early History of the Garrigle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garrigle research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1457, 1492, 1497, 1498, 1503, 1572, 1580, 1585, 1601, 1605, 1619, 1638, 1640, 1643, 1681, 1685 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Garrigle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garrigle Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Garrigle has been spelled Cargill, Cargille, Carnigill, Cargile, Kergylle, Cargyle, Carrigle, McGirl, McCargill and many more.

Early Notables of the Garrigle family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Donald Cargill (1619-1681), a Scottish Covenanter from Rattray, Blairgowrie who worked to uphold the principles of the National Covenant of 1638 and Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Edinburgh on 27 July 1681. 5James Cargill (fl. 1605)...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garrigle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Garrigle family to Ireland

Some of the Garrigle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Garrigle migration to Canada +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Garrigle:

Garrigle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Ann Garrigle, aged 4 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Virginias" departing 28th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th August 1847 but she died on board 6
  • Miss. Elizabeth Garrigle who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Eliza Caroline" departing 3rd May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th June 1847 but she died on board 6


The Garrigle 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: Domino confido
Motto Translation: Confide in the Lord.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 77)


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