McMurtray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland

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.

Early Origins of the McMurtray family

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.

Important Dates for the McMurtray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMurtray research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMurtray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

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.

Early Notables of the McMurtray family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the McMurtray family to Ireland

Some of the McMurtray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 94 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McMurtray family

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.