MacCaskill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of MacCaskill

What does the name MacCaskill mean?

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name MacCaskill is an ancient Norse warrior name Askell, which means cauldron of the Gods and denoted son of Asgaill.

Early Origins of the MacCaskill family

The surname MacCaskill was first found in living on the Islands of Skye and of Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. On Skye, ancestors of the MacCaskill Clan occupied the district of "Rubha an Dunain, " where the ruins of the family residence may seen to this day.

Early History of the MacCaskill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCaskill research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1795 and 1863 are included under the topic Early MacCaskill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacCaskill Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years MacCaskill has appeared as MacAskill, MacAskill, Gaskell, Gaskill, MacGaskill, MacKaskil, MacKaskill and many more.

Early Notables of the MacCaskill family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCaskill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacCaskill family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, Clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The MacCaskill were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Kenneth MacAskill, who arrived in North Carolina in 1750.

The MacCaskill 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: Spea
Motto Translation: By hope.