Show ContentsPitcayrne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pitcayrne surname is a habitational name, taken on from a place of Pictish-Gaelic origin, in Fife.

Early Origins of the Pitcayrne family

The surname Pitcayrne was first found in Perthshire at either Newton of Pitcairn or at Pitcairn-Green, a village, in the parish of Redgorton. [1]

The former Newton of Pitcairn is more likely as "the mansion-house of Pitcairn, erected within [in the late 1800s], is the seat of the Pitcairn family." [1]

Anciently, the family was "of territorial origin from the lands of Pitcairn in Fife. William de Petkaran was one of an assize at Dunfermline before 1249. John de Petcarn or Pitcairn obtained from his kinsman Sir Hugh de Abernethy in 1250 a charter of the lands of Innernethie. Pieres de Pectarne of the county of Fyfe rendered homage [to King Edward I of England], 1296. Andrew Pitcairn and seven of his sons were killed at Flodden." [2] Another source notes "the family are descended from Johannes de Pitcairn, 1250." [3]

Early History of the Pitcayrne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pitcayrne research. Another 259 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1512, 1518, 1520, 1584, 1622, 1652, 1695, 1712, 1713, 1715, 1722, 1745, 1767, 1775 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Pitcayrne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pitcayrne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pitcairn, Pitkin, Pitcairns and others.

Early Notables of the Pitcayrne family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Robert Pitcairn (1520?-1584), a Scottish administrator, diplomat and judge, Secretary of State and Commendator of Dunfermline. He was descended from the Pitcairns of Pitcairn in Fife. [4]Archibald Pitcairne (1652-1713) was a Scottish...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pitcayrne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pitcayrne family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Pitkin, who settled in Connecticut in 1630; David Pitcairn, who arrived in Jamaica in 1730; John Pitcairn, who arrived in Boston in 1774; Thomas Pitkin who settled in New York State in 1775.



The Pitcayrne 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: Plena refulget
Motto Translation: The full moon shines.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)
  3. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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