Orgill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

In Scottish history, few names go farther back than Orgill, whose ancestors lived among the clans of the Pictish tribe. The ancestors of the Orgill family lived in the lands of Cargill in east Perthshire where the family at one time had extensive territories.

Early Origins of the Orgill family

The surname Orgill was first found in East Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Cargill is a parish containing, with the villages of Burreltown, Wolfhill, and Woodside.

"This place, of which the name, of Celtic origin, signifies a village with a church, originally formed a portion of the parish of Cupar-Angus, from which, according to ancient records, it was separated prior to the year 1514." ^[1]

Some of the first records of the family include Walter de Kergyl who witnessed a quitclaim of the land of Drumkerauch in 1260, Bernard de Kergylle who received a gift of the lands of Leisington from William de Munificheth in 1283, and Iwyn de Garghille of the county of Strivelyn and Wauter de Kergille of the county of Perth who rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England. Bernard de Kergylle had a confirmation charter of the lands of Culmelly and of Ald Culmelly in the barony of Cusseny (Cushnie) in 1374 and William de Kergill was granted a charter in favor of the Friars Preachers of Aberdeen in 1401. Symon Cargyl held part of Kethyk in 1457 and was tenant of Park of Newbyggyn, 1473. ^[2]

Further to the south in England, Cowgill is an ecclesiastical district, in the parochial chapelry of Dent, parish and union of Sedbergh in the West Riding of Yorkshire. ^[3]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Colgyll and Alicia de Colgyll as holding lands there at that time. ^[4]

In 1481 a letter of denisation was issued to John Kergyll, clerk, a Scotsman living in Kent. ^[2]

Early History of the Orgill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Orgill research. Another 198 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1283, 1457, 1681, 1685, 1497, 1498, 1580, 1585, 1681, 1859, 1619, 1681, 1638, 1643, 1681 and 1605 are included under the topic Early Orgill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Orgill 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. Orgill has been written Cargill, Cargille, Carnigill, Cargile, Kergylle, Cargyle, Carrigle, McGirl and many more.

Early Notables of the Orgill family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Donald Cargill (1619-1681), a Scottish Covenanter from Rattray, Blairgowrie who worked to uphold the principles of the National Covenant of 1638 and Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. He was sentenced to...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Orgill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Orgill family to Ireland

Some of the Orgill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Orgill migration to the United States +

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 Orgill:

Orgill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Tyrell Orgill, aged 9, who landed in America, in 1893
Lucy Orgill, aged 64, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
Bernard C. Orgill, aged 51, who landed in America, in 1896

Orgill Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Janette Elizabeth Orgill, aged 41, who immigrated to the United States from Kingston, in 1903
John Churtra Orgill, aged 10, who settled in America from Kingston, in 1903
Joseph Orgill, aged 8, who landed in America from Kiltimagh, Ireland, in 1907
Margaret Orgill, who settled in America, in 1907
Maria Orgill, aged 10, who immigrated to the United States from Kiltimagh, Ireland, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Orgill (post 1700) +

Edmund Orgill, eponym of the Edmund Orgill Trophy awarded to the winner of the annual football game between Rhodes College and Sewanee: The University of the South, Tennessee
Dever Orgill (b. 1990), Jamaican footballer

The Orgill 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: Domino confido
Motto Translation: Confide in the Lord.

Citations +

^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
^ 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)
^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
^ Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)