MacCulay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacCulay

What does the name MacCulay mean?

The name MacCulay was first used by the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Strathclyde Britons. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Cullach, meaning boar.

Early Origins of the MacCulay family

The surname MacCulay was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway where one of the first on record was Andrew MacCulloch who served King William the Lion of Scotland and received the lands of Myretoun (now Monreith near Whitehorn in Wigtown). However ancient records show the Clan as being mentioned in the year 743 in that area.

Early History of the MacCulay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCulay research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1354, 1470, 1640, 1697 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacCulay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacCulay Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. MacCulay has been spelled MacCulloch, MacCullagh, MacCully, MacCullough, MacCulley, MacCullaugh, MacCullock, MacCullie, MacLulich and many more.

Early Notables of the MacCulay family

Sir Godfrey McCulloch, 2nd Baronet of Mertoun (c.1640-1697), a Scottish politician executed for the murder of William Gordon who died from a shot in the leg, partly as a result of a long-standing feud. Following the execution, much of his family emigrated to America, and Cardoness Castle, which had been owned by...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCulay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacCulay family to Ireland

Some of the MacCulay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 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 MacCulay family

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Robert MacCullaugh who settled in Jamaica in 1716; John and Jane MacCulloch settled in Charles Town in 1762; Barbara and Hugh MacCullock settled in Maryland in 1774.

The MacCulay 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: Vi et animo
Motto Translation: By strength and courage.