Early Origins of the Kerrstarr family
The surname Kerrstarr was first found in
Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of
Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North
Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.
Carstairs is a parish in the Upper ward of the county of Lanark that includes the village of Ravenstruther. "The name is most probably derived from the word Car, or Caer, signifying "a fort," and stair, or stairs, "a possession;" descriptive of an estate or possession in a fortified place." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Kerrstarr family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerrstarr research.
Another 271 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1259, 1450, 1536, 1649, 1715, 1703 and 1716 are included under the topic Early Kerrstarr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Kerrstarr Spelling Variations
Medieval Scottish names are rife with
spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Kerrstarr has been spelled Carstair, Carstairs, Kerstairs, Kerstair, Carstare, Carstares, Cairstare, Cairstares, Carrstairs, Carrstare, Carrstarr, Carstarr, Carstarrs, Carrstarrs, Kerrstarr and many more.
Early Notables of the Kerrstarr family (pre 1700)
Another 23 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kerrstarr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kerrstarr family to Ireland
Some of the Kerrstarr family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 166 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kerrstarr family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American
War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through
Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them: Thomas Carstairs settled in Virginia in 1700.
The Kerrstarr 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: Te splendente
Motto Translation: Whilst thou art shining.