Show ContentsTyree History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tyree is a name that evolved among the descendants of the people of the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It is a name for a person who worked as a carpenter or wright. The Gaelic form Mac an t-saoir means son of the carpenter. Most historians agree that their earliest habitations were on MacDonald territories on Kintyre. Most legends about their beginnings point to an origin in the Hebrides. From this point on, opinions differ. One legend has the Clan-an-t-Saor (Children of the Carpenter) arriving in Lorne in a galley with a white cow, another says that the galley, set adrift, developed a leak below the water line and the MacDonald Chieftain placed his thumb in the hole to keep the boat afloat. Spotting help at a distance, he cut off his thumb so that he could wave. He was ironically named the Carpenter or MacIntyre. Some claim that the family derived its name from a member of the MacDonalds who was called Cean-tire because of his ownership of lands on the peninsula of Kintyre.

Early Origins of the Tyree family

The surname Tyree 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 according legend, Maurice or Murdock, The Wright, (c.1150) became the first MacIntyre chief as a reward for helping his uncle, Somerled, King of Argyll and the Western Isles.

Early History of the Tyree family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tyree research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1597, 1890, 1955 and 1991 are included under the topic Early Tyree History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyree Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Tyree has been spelled MacIntyre, MacIntire, MacIntre and many more.

Early Notables of the Tyree family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tyree Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tyree Ranking

In the United States, the name Tyree is the 3,237th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Tyree family to Ireland

Some of the Tyree 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.


Tyree migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Tyrees to arrive on North American shores:

Tyree Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • B. Tyree, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Tyree Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. W.C. Tyree, aged 31, who settled in America, in 1905
  • W.C. Tyree, aged 44, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
  • Hiram Tyree, aged 53, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
  • Alfred Tyree, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1922
  • Charles Tyree, aged 32, who landed in America, in 1922
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Tyree (post 1700) +

  • Ella Tyree (b. 1920), American medical researcher who worked in investigating effects of radiation poisoning in animals and potential treatments
  • Elizabeth "Bessie" Tyree (1865-1952), American actress in Broadway theatrical productions beginning in the mid-1890s
  • Earl Carlton "Ty" Tyree (1890-1954), American Major League Baseball player for Chicago Cubs in the 1914 season
  • David Tyree (b. 1980), American former football wide receiver and executive who played in the National Football League
  • Breein Tyree (b. 1998), American basketball player
  • Alexander K. Tyree (1915-2006), American naval officer and submarine commander during World War II, twice awarded the Navy Cross
  • Evans Tyree (1854-1920), American doctor and AME Bishop
  • James C. Tyree (1957-2011), American financier, chairman and chief executive officer of Mesirow Financial
  • John A. Tyree (1911-2004), American Vice-Admiral and submarine commander during World War II
  • Ralph Burke Tyree (1921-1979), American painter, known for painting scenes from the South Pacific
  • ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Tyree 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 ardua
Motto Translation: Through difficulties.


Suggested Readings for the name Tyree +

  • A Tyree Genealogy by Forrest Hill Tyree.
  • The Tyree Trail with Allied Lines of Adams and Blair by Ella Rae Wilson Coleman.
  • The Tyree Tree by Dorothy Chambers Watts.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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