MacVicar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

MacVicar comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a son of a vicar, who was a priest in charge of a parish in which most or all of the tithes were paid to another recipient, while the vicar received a stipend. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac a Bhiocair.

Early Origins of the MacVicar family

The surname MacVicar was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, 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 Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacVicar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacVicar research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacVicar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacVicar 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 MacVicar has appeared as MacVicar, MacViccar, MacVicker, MacVicer, MacWicar and many more.

Early Notables of the MacVicar family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Sir Newyne MacVicar who settled in New England in 1685

Migration of the MacVicar family to Ireland

Some of the MacVicar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacVicar migration to the United States +

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name MacVicar or a variant listed above:

MacVicar Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. J. MacVicar, aged 42, who arrived in America, in 1911
Ethel MacVicar, aged 34, who immigrated to Providence, R.I., in 1919
William MacVicar, aged 15, who arrived in America, in 1920
Duncan MacVicar, aged 31, who arrived in America from Greenock, Scotland, in 1921
Catherine MacVicar, aged 49, who arrived in America from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1922
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

MacVicar migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacVicar Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Elizabeth M. MacVicar, aged 34, who settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1912

Contemporary Notables of the name MacVicar (post 1700) +

Margaret MacVicar (1944-1991), American physicist and educator
Angus MacVicar (1908-2001), Scottish author
Sheila MacVicar, Emmy Award winning Canadian television journalist

The MacVicar 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: Tandem
Motto Translation: At length.