The Montogomeray 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.
Early Origins of the Montogomeray family
The surname Montogomeray 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 (fl 1027), who came from the Castle of Sainte Foi de Montgomery, in Lissieux, Normandy, arrived in England with William the Conqueror.
Soon after the Battle of Hastings, Roger was granted lands on the Welsh Border in the County which later took his name, Montgomeryshire. However, Roger's grandson, Robert de Montgomery went to Scotland with Walter FizAlan, also of the Welsh border country, who became high Steward of Scotland and some claim 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."
Early History of the Montogomeray family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Montogomeray research.
Another 537 words (38 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1177, 1449, 1507, 1470, 1449, 1460, 1545, 1508, 1556, 1610, 1694, 1623, 1663, 1642, 1661, 1649, 1667, 1722, 1713, 1722, 1718, 1700, 1761, 1733, 1726, 1797 and are included under the topic Early Montogomeray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Montogomeray Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Montgomery, Mongomery, Montgomerie, Mungummery and many more.
Early Notables of the Montogomeray family (pre 1700)
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...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Montogomeray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Montogomeray family to Ireland
Some of the Montogomeray family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 210 words (15 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 Montogomeray family to the New World and Oceana
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 Montogomeray 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.