Gowdey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe first people to use the name Gowdey were a family of Strathclyde-Britons who lived in the Scottish/English Borderlands. The name comes from when someone lived in Edinburghshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. Gowdey is an ancient Scottish name that evolved from the Goldie, which derives from the Old English personal name Gold. Early Origins of the Gowdey familyThe surname Gowdey was first found in Edinburghshire, where the name appears from about 1598 onwards and later in the forms Gowdie, Gaudie, Goddie. "Robert Gowdie was a writer in Edinburgh, 1643 and John Gawdie was one of 'those who ere matriculat in the Companie of Merchands of Edinbergh,' 1687. William Goudie in Ayr, 1689. The surname was early carried to the north appearing in Shetland first in 1576 in the person of Gawane Gadie of Lougasettar, Dunrossness." 1 Early History of the Gowdey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gowdey research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1783 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Gowdey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gowdey Spelling VariationsSurnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Gowdey has appeared as Goudie, Gouday, Goudey, Goudy, Gowdy, Gowdie, Gadie, Goodie, Gady and many more. Early Notables of the Gowdey familyAnother 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gowdey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Gowdey family to IrelandSome of the Gowdey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: Gowdey 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: Honestas Motto Translation: Honesty.
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