Show ContentsOchterloney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In Scottish history, few names go farther back than Ochterloney, whose ancestors lived among the clans of the Pictish tribe. The ancestors of the Ochterloney family lived in Auchterlonie, near Forfar, in the county of Angus where the family dates back to the 12th century. 1

Early Origins of the Ochterloney family

The surname Ochterloney was first found in Forfarshire part of the Tayside region of North Eastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, where they were anciently an old family of Angus seated on the lands of Auchterlonie near Forfar from about the year 1200. The first on record was John Auchterlonie who exchanged his lands for his son's lands of Kenny, later Kelly, in 1226. 1

The Swedish family claims descent from Sea Captain Thomas Ouchterlony (1691-1777), son of Alexander Ouchterlony (ca. 1655-1735), merchant in Dundee and grandson of John Ouchterlony (1623-1695), minister in Aberlemno , Angus, Scotland, who served in the Swedish East India Company (1733 to ca.1748.) He settled in Karlshamn in 1748 and worked as a sea captain there until 1759 when he returned to Great Britain. Thomas' son, John Ouchterlony (1729-1776) sailed with his father to Karlshamn in 1748 and married Maria Margareta Hulst there.

Early History of the Ochterloney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ochterloney research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1388, 1410, 1430, 1457, 1514, 1518, 1643, 1648, 1661, 1663 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Ochterloney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ochterloney Spelling Variations

Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Ochterloney has been written Auchterlonie, Auchterlony, Ochterlonie, Ochterlony, Ouchterlony, Ochterlonee, Aughterlony, Aughterloney, Aughterlonie, Auchterlowney, Auchterlownie, Achterlonie, Achterlony, Oughterlonie and many more.

Early Notables of the Ochterloney family

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

Migration of the Ochterloney family

Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Ochterloney: John Auchterlony who settled in Maryland in 1740.



The Ochterloney 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: Deus mihi adjutor
Motto Translation: God is my helper.


  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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook