Show ContentsMontgomaray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Montgomaray

What does the name Montgomaray mean?

The Montgomaray family name comes originally from a place name in Normandy, such as Saint Foi de Montgomery. The name made its way to Scotland with the Normans, where it became Mac Gumaraid, in Gaelic.

The name is "of territorial origin from the ancient casde of Sainte Foi de Montgomery in the diocese of Lisieux in Normandy. The name of this castle, enjoys a peculiar privilege above all others in Norman geography. Other spots in Normandy have given their names to Norman houses and these Norman houses have transferred these names to English castles and English towns and villages. But there is only one shire in Great Britain which has had the name of a Norman lordship impressed upon it forever." 1

Early Origins of the Montgomaray family

The surname Montgomaray was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland, where they were granted lands by Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland.

The manor of Eaglesham became the Clan seat of the family for many centuries. Looking further back, we found Roger de Montgomery (died 1093?), who came from the Castle of Sainte Foi de Montgomery, in Lissieux, Normandy, arrived in England with William the Conqueror. 2

Soon after the Battle of Hastings, Roger was granted lands on the Welsh Border in the County which later took his name, Montgomeryshire. "In reward for his services, he was created Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury, and received manors in many counties. From him the town and shire of Montgomery, in Wales, derive their name." 3

Roger's grandson, Phillip de Montgomerie went to Scotland with Walter FizAlan, also of the Welsh border country, "settled in Scotland, where he received a grant of the lands of Eaglesham in Renfrewshire and died in 1140, was the ancestor of the Scottish family of Montgomery." 4 Some claim he became high Steward of Scotland and was the progenitor of the great Stewart Clan.

Although Normandy has so far been established as the origin of this family, a family legend related in a poem places their origin earlier, perhaps, even to Roman times: "A noble Roman was the Root, from which Montgomeries came, Who brought his legions from the war, and settled the same. Upon a hill twixt Rome and Spain. Gomericus by name; from which he and his offspring do their sire name still retain." 1

Early History of the Montgomaray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Montgomaray research. Another 299 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1177, 1449, 1460, 1470, 1507, 1508, 1545, 1556, 1610, 1623, 1642, 1649, 1661, 1663, 1667, 1694, 1700, 1713, 1718, 1722, 1726, 1733, 1761, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Montgomaray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Montgomaray Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Montgomery, Mongomery, Montgomerie, Mungummery and many more.

Early Notables of the Montgomaray family

Notable among the family at this time was Alexander Montgomerie (c.1556-1610), Scottish Poet Laureate in the service of King James VI of Scotland best remembered for his allegorical poem 'The Cherrie and the Slae'; Sir James Montgomery, 4th Baronet (died 1694), the tenth laird of Skelmorlie, leader of the Montgomery Plot, a Jacobite scheme to restore King James VII...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Montgomaray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Montgomaray family to Ireland

Some of the Montgomaray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 175 words (12 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 Montgomaray family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Adam Montgomery, who arrived in Boston in 1694; William Montgomerie, who came to New Jersey in 1701; Ester Montgomery, who settled in Virginia in 1724.



The Montgomaray 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: Gardez bien
Motto Translation: Look well.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.


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