The age-old tribe of the Strathclyde Britons of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first people to use the name Garritch. It is derived from the personal name Craig. Thus, Garritch is a patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, Garritch may also be of local origin, referring to those who lived in or near the place called Carrick in Ayrshire.
The surname Garritch was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, and were known as 'the men of Carrick'.
Duncan de Carrick (died 1250) was made the Mormaer (Earl) of Carrick by Scottish King Alexander I in 1186. He was a direct ancestor Robert the Bruce (Robert I), King of the Scots 1274-1329.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garritch research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1296, 1370, 1380, 1370, 1371, 1717, 1779 and 1716 are included under the topic Early Garritch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Garritch has been spelled Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.
Notable amongst the family at this time was John de Carrick (died c. 1380), a native of Carrick, Scotland, Chancellor of Scotland and Bishop-elect of Dunkeld (1370-1371.)
David Garrick (1717-1779)...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garritch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Garritch 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.
To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Richard Carrick, who arrived in Virginia in 1650; Roger Carrick, who came to Virginia in 1672; Christian Carrick, a bonded passenger, who came to America in 1758.