Show ContentsMcCurdie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name McCurdie was first used centuries ago in the region that was once the Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. It was a name for a noted mariner or a sea captain. 1

Early Origins of the McCurdie family

The surname McCurdie was first found in the islands of Arran and Bute. Early records for the family are scarce. "In 1506 Gilcrist Makwrerdy held the lands of Bransar in Bute, and Finlay Makvreirdy had sasine of Brothok there in the same year. Donald Makwrarty of Birgadulknok appears in 1534; several M'Urartys appear as witnesses in Bute in 1540; and Sir James M'Wartye, a Pope's knight, appears as vicar of Kingarth in Bute, 1554 and 1556. James Makilveritie, chaplain in the chapel of S. Michael the Archangel in Rothesay Castle, between 1590-1600, appears in the Exchequer Rolls as McQuhirertie, McQuhirirtie, McQuheritie (these three spellings in 1596), McIliquharartie (1598), and Makquhirrirtie (1600). " 2

The MacMurtrie variant is "current in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, Gilbert Makmurtye was a witness in Edinburgh, 1508." 2

Early History of the McCurdie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCurdie research. Another 290 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1506, 1517, 1520, 1539, 1541, 1547, 1555, 1561, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1600, 1622, 1623, 1626, 1642, 1659, 1662, 1663, 1706, 1745, 1790, 1797, 1847, 1849, 1856, 1880, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1891, 1899, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1920, 1923, 1929, 1947, 1952, 1959, 1960 and 1961 are included under the topic Early McCurdie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCurdie Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents McCurdie has been spelled MacCurdy, MacKirdy, MacKirdie, MacCurdie, MacQuartie, MacBararthy, MacBerarthy, MacWerarthy, MacMurtrie, MacMutrie and many more.

Early Notables of the McCurdie family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCurdie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the McCurdie family to Ireland

Some of the McCurdie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 147 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada McCurdie migration to Canada +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McCurdie were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

McCurdie Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Robert McCurdie, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

Australia McCurdie migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McCurdie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William McCurdie, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 27th August 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3


The McCurdie 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: Dieu et mon pays
Motto Translation: God and my country.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa


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