Olterdice History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Olterdice

What does the name Olterdice mean?

A family in the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland was the first to use the name Olterdice. They lived in the old barony of Allardice, in the parish of Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire. This place name is derived from the Gaelic words all, which means "cliff" and deas which means "southern."

Early Origins of the Olterdice family

The surname Olterdice was first found in Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of Scotland, and part of the Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, in a barony of the name Allardice, in the parish of Arbuthnot, about 1 mile north west of Inverbervie, where the Allardice Castle (also spelled Allardyce), the sixteenth-century manor house still stands today.

Early History of the Olterdice family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olterdice research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1413, 1607, 1612 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Olterdice History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Olterdice Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Olterdice has been spelled Allardice, Allardyce, Allardes, Allardise, Allardyse, Allerdash, Allerdes, Allyrdes, Allirdasse, Alerdes, Alerdyce, Alerdice, Alderdice, Alderdyce, Alderdise and many more.

Early Notables of the Olterdice family

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

Migration of the Olterdice family to Ireland

Some of the Olterdice family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 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 Olterdice family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Olterdice: John Allardice, who landed at Charles Town South Carolina in 1768.

The Olterdice 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: In the defence of the distressed