McMurtray Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The ancient Dalriadan people were the ancestors of the first to use the name McMurtray. It was a name for a noted mariner or a sea captain.

McMurtray Early Origins

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The surname McMurtray was first found in on the isle of 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 Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

McMurtray Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McMurtray has been spelled MacCurdy, MacKirdy, MacKirdie, MacCurdie, MacQuartie, MacBararthy, MacBerarthy, MacWerarthy, MacMurtrie, MacMutrie and many more.

McMurtray Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMurtray research. Another 238 words (17 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMurtray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMurtray Early Notables (pre 1700)

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

McMurtray In Ireland

Some of the McMurtray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 192 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name McMurtray were among those contributors: James McCurdy, and his wife Elizabeth Ayers, who were recorded as Scotch-Irish living in New Hampshire in 1730; Archibald Mccurdy, who arrived in New England in 1737 with his five children, John McCurdy, who arrived in New England in 1745.

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.

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Citations

Other References

Bell, Robert. The Book of Ulster Surnames. Belfast: Blackstaff, 1988. Print. (ISBN 10-0856404160).
Chadwick, Nora Kershaw and J.X.W.P Corcoran. The Celts. London: Penguin, 1970. Print. (ISBN 0140212116).
Burke, John Bernard Ed. The Roll of Battle Abbey. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
Moncrieffe, Sir Ian of That Ilk and David Hicks. The Highland Clans The Dynastic Origins, Cheifs and Background of the Clans. New York: C.N. Potter, 1968. Print.
Holt, J.C. Ed. Domesday Studies. Woodbridge: Boydell, 1987. Print. (ISBN 0-85115-477-8).
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Barrow, G.W.S Ed. Acts of Malcom IV 1153-65 Volume I Regesta Regum Scottorum 1153-1424. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1960. Print.
Scots Kith and Kin And Illustrated Map Revised 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Clan House/Albyn. Print.
Colletta, John P. They Came In Ships. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1993. Print.
Catholic Directory For Scotland. Glasgow: Burns Publications. Print.
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The McMurtray Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The McMurtray Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 17 March 2016 at 17:29.