Gowty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Gowty

What does the name Gowty mean?

The roots of the name Gowty are found among the Strathclyde-Briton people of the ancient Scottish/English Borderlands. Gowty was originally found in Edinburghshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. Gowty is an ancient Scottish name that evolved from the Goldie, which derives from the Old English personal name Gold.

Early Origins of the Gowty family

The surname Gowty 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 Gowty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gowty research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1576, 1643, 1689, 1783 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Gowty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gowty Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that rules have developed and the process of spelling according to sound has been abandoned. Scottish names from before that time tend to appear under many different spelling variations. Gowty has been spelled Goudie, Gouday, Goudey, Goudy, Gowdy, Gowdie, Gadie, Goodie, Gady and many more.

Early Notables of the Gowty family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gowty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gowty family to Ireland

Some of the Gowty family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gowty migration to Australia +

Gowty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Patrick Gowty, aged 27, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Marshall Bennett" 2

The Gowty 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: Honestas
Motto Translation: Honesty.

Sources +

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)
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARSHALL BENNETT 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marshallbennett1852.shtml