Munro's History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Munro's

What does the name Munro's mean?

The Munro's family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived near the foot of the river Roe in the Irish county of Derry. The Gaelic form of the name is Rothach, which means a man of Ro or a man from Ro.

Munro's Coat of Arms Creation

This is one of the oldest, most highly esteemed, and famous of the Highland clans. The crest of the Munroes is an eagle perching, with eagles as supporters, and the motto is " Dread God." The eagle is regarded as the king of birds and the emblem of magnanimity and fortitude of mind, and is cer-tainly applicable to the Munroes.

Ben Wyvis, which was the property of the Munroes in the olden time was a home of eagles, and the club moss, the badge of the Munroes, is also found in abundance on this mountain.

There is an eagle stone at Strathpeffer, and it is supposed to be in memory of some clan fight in which Munro was successful.

It is worth noting-that in a charter which the Munroes got, they were declared to hold their lands on condition of their furnishing, even at midsummer, a ball of snow, if required. This could always easily be done. Afterwards the condition of tenure was a pair of white gloves or three pence. 1

Early Origins of the Munro's family

The surname Munro's was first found in Cromartyshire, where they were descended from Donadl O'Kane and his Irish sept, who left their homeland at the mouth of the river Roe, in Ireland and settler in Ferrindonald in Cromarty, in the 11th century. Other historians suggest the name was originally Monrosse, because they were Mountaineers of Ross. In this case, their traditional origin is from the Siol O'Cain, an ancient Pictish tribe descended from Anselan O'Cain in North Moray, which also produced the Buchanans and the MacMillans.

Early History of the Munro's family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Munro's research. Another 419 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1210, 1230, 1476, 1505, 1602, 1651, 1680, 1693, 1697, 1719 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Munro's History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Munro's Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Munro's has been spelled Monroe, Monro, Monrow, Munroe, Munro, Munrow and many more.

Early Notables of the Munro's family

Sir William Munro of Foulis (died 1505), a Scottish Knight and Scottish Clan chief of the highland Clan Munro, by tradition the 12th Baron of Foulis and 15th overall chief of the clan; Robert Monro of the Munro of Obsdale family (died 1680), a famous Scottish General, from the Clan Munro of Ross-shire; Sir George Munro, 1st Baronet of Newmore (1602-1693), Scottish soldier and Member of Parliament; Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet of Foulis (died 1697), 22nd Baron and 25th chief of the Clan Munro; Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis (died 1729), the 23rd Baron and 26th chief of...
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Munro's Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Munro's family

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Munro's: Alexander Monro, who settled in Georgia in 1735 with his wife and children; Hector Monroe settled in Barbados in 1745; Hugh Monrow settled in Boston in 1651.

Munro's Motto and War Cry +

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: Dread God
War Cry: " Caisteal Foulis na theMe "
War Cry Description: (Foulis Castle on fire).

Sources +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print