Target History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Target

What does the name Target mean?

The ancient Scottish name Target is rooted in the people of the Pictish clans. Target was a name for a priest. Although the marriage of clerics in minor orders was permitted, the marriage of priests was banned during the 12th century. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac-an-t-sagairt, which means son of the priest.

Early Origins of the Target family

The surname Target was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of Ross, 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 Target family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Target research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1215, 1544, 1678 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Target History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Target 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 Target has been spelled MacTaggart, MacTagart, MacIntaggart, MacTuggart, MacToggart, MacTaggert, MacTeggart, Taggart, Tagart, Tegart, Tegert, Teggert, Teggart, Intaggart, Tuggart and many more.

Early Notables of the Target family

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

Migration of the Target family to Ireland

Some of the Target family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Target migration to Australia +

Target Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Target, British Convict who was convicted in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Dudbrook" on 17th November 1852, arriving in Western Australia 1

The Target 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: Ratione non vi
Motto Translation: By reason, not by force.

Sources +

Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 23rd July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dudbrook