Show ContentsIndo History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the ancient Scottish name Indo are found among the people of a tribe known as the Picts. Indo is a name for a pilgrim from the Gaelic word deoradh. The deoradh kept the relics of saints. The family have been the hereditary custodians of St. Fillan's Crozier. 1

Early Origins of the Indo family

The surname Indo was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Dewarton is a village, in the parish of Borthwick, county of Edinburgh. It is here that the Dewar family have held the estate of Vogrie since early times. 2

Early History of the Indo family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Indo research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1296 is included under the topic Early Indo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Indo Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Indo has been spelled Dewar, Dure, Dewyer, Dewer, McIndeor, McJarrow and many more.

Early Notables of the Indo family

More information is included under the topic Early Indo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Indo family

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Indo: William and his wife Jane Dewar and two children settled in Antigua in 1774; John Dewar arrived in New York in 1823; Steven Dewer arrived in Antigua in 1679.



The Indo 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: Quid non pro patria
Motto Translation: What would not one do for his country.


  1. 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)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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