McUrchie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of McUrchie

What does the name McUrchie mean?

McUrchie comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Murdo. The Gaelic form of the surname was Mac Mhurchaidh, meaning son of Murdo. The name Murdo is equivalent to Murdock, and means sea warrior.

Early Origins of the McUrchie family

The surname McUrchie was first found in south Uist, in the Outer Hebrides (Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar), in the present day Council Area of Western Isles, a region controlled by the Norwegians prior to the Treaty of Perth in 1266, 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.

Early History of the McUrchie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McUrchie research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1506 is included under the topic Early McUrchie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McUrchie Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McUrchie has appeared as MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacUrchie, MacWurchie, MacWorthy, MacVurchie, Murchie and many more.

Early Notables of the McUrchie family

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

Migration of the McUrchie family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name McUrchie or a variant listed above: Finlay McMurchie, his wife Catherine, and their five children, who settled in Wilmington, NC in 1774; Hugh McMurchie, his wife Elizabeth, and their five children, who arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774.

The McUrchie 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.