Show ContentsMcLarty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

McLarty is one of the names derived from the families of the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland. It is derived from the personal name Laurence. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Labhruinn, which means son of Labhran or son of Laurence. The Clan is believed to be descended from Lorn, son of Erc, who landed in Argyll in 503 AD. Although the lineage before the 12th century is difficult to prove, it has been established that the clan held vast territories called the Braes of Balquhidder. They were recorded as being 'all grand, strong men' and, when the Old Kirk at Balquhidder was being repaired, clan members supervised the exhumation of some of the bodies of ancient members of the clan from the graveyard that was a traditional the burial place of the theirs. They found bones measuring 23 and a half inches long, which makes them big men even by today's standards.

Early Origins of the McLarty family

The surname McLarty 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 in the valley of Loch Voil between the head of Loch Lomond and Loch Earn they were so powerful that it was once said that no one could take his place in church until the MacLaren Clan members were properly seated.

They were kinsmen of the Celtic Earls of Strathearn and their branches were at Balquidder, Strathearn, Auchleskine, Stank, Druach and Lochearnside. They engaged neighboring Clans in lively feuds but always remained faithful in their allegiance to the Royal House of Stewart.

They were hereditary Celtic Abbots of Achtow and derive their name from Abbot Lawrence. For almost a thousand years the gathering place of the Clan has been Creag an Tuirc, the 'Boars Rock' in Achtow, in Balquhidder. This has also been adopted as their slogan.

Early History of the McLarty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLarty research. Another 312 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1344, 1698, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McLarty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLarty 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 McLarty has been spelled MacLaren, MacLaron, MacLaurin, MacLarty, MacClarence, MacPhater, MacFeeter and many more.

Early Notables of the McLarty family

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

Migration of the McLarty family to Ireland

Some of the McLarty family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McLarty migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McLarty arrived in North America very early:

McLarty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Edward McLarty, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1847 1
McLarty Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Colin McLarty, aged 53, who settled in America from Cambridge, England, in 1912
  • Hugh Thomson Mclarty, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1918
  • George McLarty, aged 0, who immigrated to America, in 1919
  • Farguhar Matheson McLarty, aged 32, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1920
  • Annie McLarty, aged 34, who landed in America from Barrow, England, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLarty migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McLarty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Malcolm McLarty, aged 19, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 2
  • Mr. John McLarty, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Halcyon" arriving in New Zealand in 1852 3

Contemporary Notables of the name McLarty (post 1700) +

  • Ron McLarty (b. 1947), American actor, playwright, and author
  • Thomas F. McLarty (b. 1946), former White House Chief of Staff for US President Bill Clinton
  • William James "Jack" McLarty (b. 1919), American surrealist painter, printmaker, and teacher
  • Norman Alexander McLarty (1889-1945), Canadian Postmaster General, Minister of Labour, and Secretary of State of Canada in the cabinet of Mackenzie King
  • Hector Neil McLarty (1851-1912), Australian police officer, and customs detective


The McLarty 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: Creag an tuirc
Motto Translation: The boar's rock.


  1. 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)
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook