The old Scottish-Dalriadan name Sorley is derived from the
personal name Somhairle, also known as
Somerled. The Gaelic form of the name,
Mac Somhairle, translates as
son of Somhairle or
son of Somerled.Early Origins of the Sorley family
The surname Sorley was first found in
Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western
Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of
Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and
Bute, where they held a
family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of
Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the Sorley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sorley research.
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sorley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Sorley Spelling Variations
Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The
spelling variations of Sorley include MacSorley, MacSorely, MacSourly, MacCoullie, MacSorrill, MacSorrell, MacSurley and many more.
Early Notables of the Sorley family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Sorley Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Sorley family to Ireland
Some of the Sorley family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 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 Sorley family to the New World and Oceana
These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American
War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Sorley were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:
Sorley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Michael Sorley, aged 47, who arrived in New York in 1854 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8) - Sarah Sorley, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1854 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Contemporary Notables of the name Sorley (post 1700)
- Sorley MacLean (1911-1996), critically acclaimed Scottish poet
Historic Events for the Sorley family
HMS Royal Oak
- James Niven Sorley (1920-1939), British Stoker 2nd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
The Sorley 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.