McCoubrie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use the name McCoubrie were part of a tribe known as the Strathclyde Britons. The name is derived from an Old English personal name meaning bright champion.

Early Origins of the McCoubrie family

The surname McCoubrie was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They were descended from Saint Cuthbert of Landisfarne (d. 687) in Northumberland. The name Kirkcudbright literally means "Cuthbert's Church."

"St. Cuthbert, according to the legends of the times, was born of British parents in Cumberland, about the year 600. As Cuthbert advanced in years, he became such a distinguished character, that he was raised to the dignity of abbot in the abbey of Landisferne. Of his miracles and exploits many marvellous tales are recorded; and even after his death his relics are said to have retained miraculous virtues; and to their accidental touch is ascribed the healing power which the holy well in this parish is presumed to possess." 1

Cuthbert (d. 758), was Archbishop of Canterbury, said to have been of noble parentage, first appears as abbot of Liminge in Kent. 2

Early History of the McCoubrie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCoubrie research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1466, 1640, 1778 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCoubrie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCoubrie Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. McCoubrie has appeared as Cuthbert, Cudbert, Cuthberd, Cudberd, Cuthburst, Cuthburt, Cudburt and many more.

Early Notables of the McCoubrie family

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

Migration of the McCoubrie family to Ireland

Some of the McCoubrie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCoubrie migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

McCoubrie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Martin McCoubrie, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 3

The McCoubrie 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: Nec minus fortiter
Motto Translation: Not less bravely.

Citations +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)