McVitie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of McVitie

What does the name McVitie mean?

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the McVitie family. Their name comes from Veaty. Mac means son of. MacVitti, therefore, means son of Vitti. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed, which is why the MacVitti is descended from Veaty.

Early Origins of the McVitie family

The surname McVitie was first found in Ayrshire, and Galloway where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McVitie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McVitie research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1574, 1627, 1685 and 1686 are included under the topic Early McVitie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McVitie Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of McVitie have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. MacVittie, MacVittye, MacVittae, MacWittie, MacWitty and many more.

Early Notables of the McVitie family

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

McVitie migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the McVitie family emigrate to North America:

McVitie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McVitie, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1895

McVitie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Jessie C. McVitie, aged 40, who settled in America from Lancashire, in 1905
Mabel M. McVitie, aged 13, who immigrated to the United States from Lancashire, in 1905
William Atkins McVitie, aged 44, who landed in America from Lancashire, in 1905
Ethel Mabel McVitie, aged 14, who settled in America from Galveston, in 1906
Jessie McVitie, aged 44, who landed in America from London, England, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McVitie (post 1700) +

Robert McVitie (1809-1883), Scottish baker and confectioner, founder of McVitie's Biscuits in 1830
George James McVitie (b. 1948), English footballer from Carlisle, Cumberland