Urchart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

In Scottish history, few names go farther back than Urchart, whose ancestors lived among the clans of the Pictish tribe. They lived in the old barony of Urquhart, which is located on Loch Ness in the county of Inverness.

Early Origins of the Urchart family

The surname Urchart was first found in Elginshire a former county in northeastern Scotland, in the present day Scottish Council Area of Moray, where Galleroch de Urchart "who lived temp. Alexander II" 1 was granted lands in Cromarty, and Inverness. He held a family seat at the Castle of Urquhart in 1214. "His descendants were "hereditary sheriffs of Cromarty." 1

Early History of the Urchart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Urchart research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1114, 1306, 1358, 1611, 1650, 1660 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Urchart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Urchart Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Urchart has been spelled Urquhart, Urquhard, Urchard, Orchard and many more.

Early Notables of the Urchart family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Thomas Urquhart (Urchard) of Cromarty (1611-c.1660), a Scottish writer and translator, most famous for his translation of Rabelais. Down in London, Thomas Urquhart (fl. 1650?), was a "noted violin-maker and was distinguished...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Urchart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Urchart family to Ireland

Some of the Urchart 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.

Urchart migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Urchart:

Urchart Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew and John Urchart, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.