Back when the 1990 U.S. Census was taken, the top-ranking surnames were largely of English, Irish, and Scottish origin. As late as the first part of the 18th century, some men were distinguished not only by their father's name, but their grandfather's and great-grandfather's (for example, John Roy M'Ean Vc Ewin Vc Dougall Vc Ean, a man from Lismore recorded in 1585). Extracted from a great variety of sources both in North America and Scotland, the information collected here would otherwise be difficult to access. [11] Not all territorial surnames are derived from lands owned by their bearers. [1] One of the earliest sources for surnames in Scotland is the Ragman Roll. While the total bearers of specific surnames have grown in number over the years, such as the names of the most dominant clans, some Scottish surnames have completely died out in the country (for example, the family with the Hebridean surname MacUspaig, derived from a Gaelicised Norse personal name, died out in the male line shortly after the turn of the 20th century). Here, the author collected information from archives and libraries in Scotland, England, and Denmark to yield the first listing of Scottish inhabitants of the West Indies between 1707 and 1857. There are also endless variations of Scottish surnames and the list below is neither comprehensive nor definitive but is intended solely as a guide to the possible connections a name may have to a recognised clan or family featured in detail elsewhere. This supplement in combination with the earlier volume identifies virtually all of those 4,000 settlers. [28] The position of the standing court of heraldry in Scotland, the Court of the Lord Lyon, considers that everyone who shares the same surname as a recognised chief, is a member of that chief's clan. 3 Ways to Find Ancestors Who Didn't Leave a Paper Trail: What to Do When There Are No Records. Patronyms change with every successive generation[3] (for example, the patronyms of a grandson, father, and grandfather may be John Donaldson, son of Donald Robertson, son of Robert Williamson). Nearly all the surnames brought to Britain by the Normans were territorial names derived from lands on the continent. All of this data serves to confirm a relationship between the inheritor and his ancestor. About 600 Scots and their activities are covered. This work is based on information found in Scots newspapers together with a handful of entries based on documents in the Scottish Records Office and the United States National Archives. Both Macrath, and Gilmychel, were recorded as being from. This register was made up of all people over the age of 16 who were entitled to vote in elections in the UK. The prefix in such cases means "pupil", "devotee", "disciple". The following list of the most commonly occurring surnames in America includes details on each name's origin and meaning. The earliest surnames found in Scotland occur during the reign of David I, King of Scots (1124–53). Because of this, a steady stream of indentured servants sailed from Scottish and English ports to the West Indies. [36], The top twenty most common surnames in Scotland are shown below. Pronunciation : case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation [4][note 2], There are several prefixes and suffixes that may indicate whether a modern surname originated from a patronym: the English suffixes -son, and -s; and the Gaelic prefix Mac-. These names are sometimes given to both males and females (for example, the given name Mackenzie, taken from the Scottish surname Mackenzie, is given to girls more than boys in North America;[41] another North American given name used for both sexes is Cameron derived from the surname Cameron).[42]. Volume III: The data, from newspapers of the period, provides information on about 3,000 Scottish emigrants. Many diminutive suffixes were introduced with the Normans (for example, -el, -et, -ett, -ot, -at, -en, -in, -oc, -on, -uc, and -cock). Some Scottish surnames can be classified as either "regional names" or "ethnic names". Many of the first surnames recorded in Scotland were those of nobles, or great landowners, whose surnames derived from the lands they possessed. Records were compiled from private and public sources including passenger lists, newspapers, church records, land deeds, records of indenture, and oaths of allegiance. [18][note 7] The leadership of large clans increased their power by increasing the number of their followers by both conciliation and coercion. [6][note 6] There are several reasons for this. Surnames are the skeleton key of the genealogy world. Scotland has had direct social and economic links with the West Indies for nearly 400 years. Free Passenger and Immigration Record Lookups » Immigration Records: Scottish Immigrants to North America, 1600s-1800s. The data was further enhanced with names of people that were not entitled to vote. When the bans were lifted once and for all, some of the clan resumed using forms of MacGregor—but not all. Largely a miscellany, this volume draws upon printed books and manuscripts, church records, burgess rolls, probate records, state records, and public records of every description. [12] These names are sometimes called "topographic names". [32] (Other examples can be found under the section Occupational Surnames). It was not until after 1626, however, that Scots actually settled in the Caribbean. About 6,000 Scots are identified in this book. These sources include family and estate papers, testamentary and probate records, deed registers, Sheriff’s Court records, Court of Session and High Court of Judiciary records, port books, customs registers, diaries and journals, newspapers and magazines, professional and university records, Privy Council and colonial records, records of Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches, monumental inscription lists, and the 1774-75 Register of Emigrants. Volume II: Unlike the first, this volume is based l. argely on previously published material such as government serial publications, contemporary newspapers, periodical articles, and family histories. Who Were the Ashkenazi Jewish People, and Are You Related to Them. Only those who have been positively identified as Scots or likely to have been born in Scotland are included in this invaluable work. The surnames Smyth, D'Arcy, and even Disney all have Irish roots! Volume IV: In this volume, Mr. Dobson introduces the researcher to little-known source materials — the Services of Heirs and the Register of Testaments of the Commissariat of Edinburgh. Before the Revolutionary War, approximately 150,000 Scots emigrated to America. [12] Sometimes names derived from proper names of geographical features can be classified as topographic names rather than habitational names. The earliest patronyms recorded in Scotland are written in several different languages. These suffixes were added to pet-forms of names (for example, Adkin diminutive of Adam, and Paton from Patrick). The subject of septs is a contentious one and one which is difficult to resolve with any degree of historical accuracy. [34] Some surnames brought to Scotland in the Middle Ages by English, or Anglo-Normans, are also derived from Norse personal names. Among them were doctors, ministers, educators, indentured servants, transportees, merchants, and ordinary laborers. Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local family history center or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. For people over the age of 16, a total of three surname changes are allowed, however a period of five years must elapse between each successive name change. The majority of Scottish emigrants of the period were skilled, educated workers from urban industrial backgrounds whose expertise was in great demand in the rapidly industrializing cities of North America. Many of these soldiers, subsequently, decided to settle or emigrate in America (often because former military personnel were allocated land after the war). [23][note 10] Similarly, a surname derived from a patronym, may be used by numerous unconnected families descended from a like-named individual (for example, the bardic family of the surname MacEwan employed by the Campbells are not connected to the MacEwens of Otter). The bulk of the immigrants listed here arrived in the United States or Canada between 1773 and 1815. [35], The name Fraser (Gaelic Friseal) has a unique etymology; it originally derives from the French fraise, meaning strawberry. The Edinburgh Register of Deeds recorded not only deeds but any document thought to be important, such as marriage contracts, powers of attorney, and commercial agreements. At least half of the immigrants identified in this volume sailed to Canada or the West Indies initially, the rest arriving at ports in the coastal states of America. One old Gaelic saying reads: Frisealach am boll a mine ("the Frasers of the boll of meal"), which explains that some of name Fraser are actually Bissets, who originally controlled the lands taken by the Frasers. Scottish soldiers played an important role in defending the American colonies and in settling them. Largely a miscellany, this volume draws upon printed books and manuscripts, church records, burgess rolls, probate records, state records, and public records of every description. This chart shows links to countrywide collections. [40], In recent years, names that have been traditionally surnames have been used as given names, particularly in North America. This supplement contains information that expands upon information found in Dobson’s earlier book. The frequency and geographic distributions of UK surnames", "Recording Changes of Forename(s) and Surname(s) in Scotland", "Leaflet RCN1: Recording changes of forename(s) and surname(s) in Scotland", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scottish_surnames&oldid=990793760, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 November 2020, at 15:13. [37], While the total bearers of specific surnames have grown in number over the years, such as the names of the most dominant clans, some Scottish surnames have completely died out in the country (for example, the family with the Hebridean surname MacUspaig, derived from a Gaelicised Norse personal name, died out in the male line shortly after the turn of the 20th century). While the data provided varies according to the records used, generally, you’ll learn an individual’s age, date and place of birth, occupation, place of residence, names of spouse and children, date and place of arrival in North America, and death date. Pronunciation : case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation Arranged alphabetically by surname, many of the entries in this volume were extracted from Scottish newspapers like the “Aberdeen Journal,” in which notices would appear seeking to employ managers and servants. The mass movement that occurred was a continuation of a process that had its roots in the seventeenth century. [7][note 3] Patronyms were still common in Shetland in the first half of the 19th century. In general, you’ll find the following information about an individual listed: place and date of birth, place of residence, names of parents, occupation, name of spouse, date of emigration, place and date of settlement, and date of death. Bynames were particularly prevalent in fishing communities in the northeastern part of Scotland,[17] but were also used in the Borders and the West Highlands. [29] In consequence, where a coat of arms already exists for the chief of a clan, or head of a family, when new grants of arms to individuals with the same surname are being discussed with the client, then the suggestions put forward are generally variations of those arms[28] (for example, one of the oldest families of Argyll are the Fergussons of Glensellich; this clan is not related or historically connected in any way to the Fergussons of Kilkerran who the Lord Lyon King of Arms considers to be the Chief of the Name and Arms of Fergusson; consequently, the arms of Fergusson of Glensellich are based upon the arms of Fergusson of Kilkerran). [9] Examples of ethnic surnames are Fleming, Galbraith, and Scott. In addition, there is data from some previously unpublished ships’ passenger lists and documents in the Scottish Record Office in Edinburgh. After the union of Scotland and England in 1707 and the lifting of restrictions on trade between these two countries, Scotland’s trade with the islands expanded and so did its stream of immigration throughout the West Indies. The data were mostly gathered from the 2001 UK electoral register. What are the Four Best Free Genealogy Websites? Around the middle of the 18th century, the British government began to dispatch Highland Regiments, such as Fraser’s Highlanders, the Black Watch, and Montgomery’s Highlanders, to America. Forms of the surnames MacBeth and MacRae are derived from the Gaelic personal names Mac-bethad and Mac-raith. In early Latin documents, such names were formed by the genitive case of the father's name preceded by forms of filius, meaning "son" (for example Dugaldus filius Nigelli); later the filius was only implied (for example Dugaldus Nigelli). To develop this information the author conducted research in archives and libraries in Scotland, England, Canada, and the United States. Enter them into a search field on Google, Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org or any number of family research sites, and they can unlock discoveries from birth records to gravestones, census records to naturalization papers. Volume VII: Although the sixth volume of the Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America was said at the time of its publication in 1986 to be the last in the series, subsequent research has brought to light sufficient new material to warrant this seventh volume. Scottish surnames are surnames currently found in Scotland, or surnames that have a historical connection with the country. [12][note 4] Occupational names were rare amongst Gaelic speakers[14] Examples of such surnames derived from Gaelic occupational name is Gow, from the Scottish Gaelic Gobha (smith),[15] and MacIntyre from Mac an t-Saoir ([ˈmaxk ən̪ˠ ˈt̪ʰɯːɾʲ] "son of the carpenter. Many Scottish surnames are the names of Scottish clans that were once powerful families dominating large swaths of territory. Scotland Online Genealogy Records. [30][31], Not all surnames that begin with the prefix Mac- are truly derived from patronyms. The Real Truth Behind Coats of Arms and Family Crests. [3][note 1] Other early records show patronyms using forms of the Welsh ap, meaning "son"; and the Gaelic mac, meaning son (for example, the names of Macrath ap Molegan, and Gilmychel Mac Eth appear in the same document). From the beginning of the 16th century, as tenants of the, There are similar traditions associated with the, The Brodies from the Hebrides and Kintyre are thought to be a branch of the O'Brologhan family who were centred in, "Learn about the family history of your surname", "Surnames in Scotland over the last 140 years", "What's in a name? Between 1650 and 1775, many thousands of Scots were banished to the American colonies for political, religious, or criminal offenses. Felons or political undesirables, such as the Covenanters, were sent to the islands in chains directly from Scotland. In 2001, a change in law made it possible for people to opt out of having their information publicly viewable; thus the 2001 register has been considered by at least one recent study to be the most recent reliable source for determining the most common surnames in Scotland. Emigration from Scotland to the United States and Canada during the nineteenth century was significant. All Rights Reserved — Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. These were Anglo-Norman names which had become hereditary in England before arriving in Scotland (for example, the contemporary surnames de Brus, de Umfraville, and Ridel). [note 8], In the 17th and 18th centuries, the clan name of the MacGregors was outlawed, and members of the clan were forced to assume other names. [6] In some cases within fishing communities, the names of fishing boats were tacked onto the names of people in order to differentiate them from others.[13]. Volume VI: This sixth volume contains abstracts of data from the Edinburgh Register of Deeds. It's interesting to note, that since 1990 , the only other time this surname report has been compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, three Hispanic surnames âGarcia, Rodriguez, and Menendezâhave risen into the top 10. This is because these names refer to a location rather than a specific settlement. [17] These names were used in areas where there were few names in circulation, and the bynames were added onto the name of person, in order to distinguish them from others who bore the same name. Surname changes can consist of substituting one surname for another (for example, from Brown to Johnson); changing the spelling of the surname (for example, from Brown to Broun); or changing surname by hyphenation (for example, from Brown to Brown-Johnson) (see also: double-barrelled name). In all, nearly 3,000 Scotsmen are identified by full name, island inhabited, date, and source of the information, and sometimes by occupation, parent(s) name(s), and education. The surnames recorded within are for the most part very similar to those found in England at around the same date, consisting of local, patronymic and occupational names, and nicknames. It also has data on about 1,000 Scots who settled in North America between 1625 and 1825. While the information that you’ll find varies depending on the type of record, for the most part you’ll learn an individual’s age, date of birth, occupation, place of residence, family members, date and place of arrival, and circumstances of emigration. In total, approximately 4,000 Scots settled between Stuartstown, South Carolina and Port Royal, Nova before 1700. In many cases, the families that originally lived on the lands acquired by powerful clans (such as the Campbells, Gordons, Macdonalds, and Mackenzies) adopted the names of their new lords. The material in this volume relates to Scots who lived in North America, or had any commercial or legal action with America for the period 1750-1825. This supplement contains new information gleaned from recent research and information that expands upon Dobson’s earlier work. For each person listed, some or all of the following information is provided: name, occupation, place of residence in Scotland, place of capture and captivity, parent’s name, date and cause of banishment, name of the ship sailing to the colonies, and date and place of arrival in the colonies. Here, the author David Dobson identifies more than one thousand Scottish soldiers in colonial America. In due course, families moved between these various locations, and links were established. It also has data on about 1,000 Scots who settled in North America between 1625 and 1825. [15], Bynames, to-names, or other names,[note 5] were once very common in Scotland. The original volume was based entirely on source material located in the United Kingdom, while this volume contains primary and secondary material from both the United Kingdom and the United States. Many Scottish surnames originate from names that were originally patronyms. One of the most common Scottish surnames is Campbell, which is derived from the Gaelic Caimbeul, meaning "crooked-mouth". About 4,000 immigrants are listed. [9] These names refer to physical features, like forests, streams, and marshes; such names may also refer to man-made structures, such as castles and churches[9] (for example the surnames Wood, Milne, and Shaw). In the northern Hebrides, many of the indigenous surnames are derived from Gaelicised Norse personal names (for example, MacAmhlaigh -> Macaulay, MacAsgaill -> Macaskill, and MacLeòid -> Macleod). [13] Another common Scottish surname is Armstrong, which means the son of a strong man. While there was a degree of voluntary emigration, the majority of the Scots in the West Indies arrived unwillingly. For each of the 7,000 individuals listed, you may be able to learn the following information: name, date of birth or baptism, place of birth, occupation, place of education, cause of banishment (where applicable), residence, parents’ names, emigration date and whether voluntarily or involuntarily transported, port of embarkation, destination, name of ship, place and date of arrival, place of settlement, names of spouse and children, date and place of death, where buried, probate record, and source citation. In some cases, surname changes are allowed if the person receives a decree, or certificate of change, from the Lord Lyon King of Arms; or if certain certified wills, settlements, or deeds of trust, contain conditions where a person must take a surname different from the one which they were registered at birth; or when a male has married and changed his surname following his marriage, and has received a decree or certificate from the Lord Lyon King of Arms. [9] These names originally referred to the origin of the bearer and tended to have been acquired by people who migrated a considerable distance for their original homes. [2] The memory of such renaming is sometimes preserved in tradition. This resource contains immigration records for approximately 70,000 Scottish immigrants to the United States and Canada. To find links to collections for lower jurisdictions (such as a county, town, or parish), go to Locating Online Databases. [8] In some cases such names were borne by tenants, or followers, of the owners of the lands they lived on. Smaller numbers of German, Irish, Scotch-Irish, Dutch, French, Spanish, African, and other nationalities also arrived. [39] Children under the age of 16 are only allowed to change their surname once. [38], Anyone whose birth is registered in Scotland, or who was legally adopted in Scotland, may apply to register a surname change. One of the most common surnames in Scotland is Simpson, which means the son of "Simon", in Gaelic the equivalent names are McSymon, and MacSymon. Volume VI: This sixth volume contains abstracts of data from the Edinburgh Register of Deeds. In this work, the author presents, for the first time, a comprehensive list of Scottish settlers in the Carolinas from 1680 through 1830. In general, you’ll find the following information about an individual listed: place and date of birth, place of residence, names of parents, occupation, name of spouse, date of emigration, place and date of settlement, and date of death. The Edinburgh Register of Deeds recorded not only deeds but any document thought to be important, such as marriage contracts, powers of attorney, and commercial agreements. During the reigns of kings David I, Malcolm IV and William the Lion, some inhabitants of Scottish towns were English and Flemish settlers, who bore English and continental personal names, with trade names and sometimes nicknames. For the most part, you’ll learn the following about an individual listed: date and place of birth, marriage and death, occupation, age, date of emigration, place of settlement, and family relationships. Volume VII: Although the sixth volume of the Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America was said at the time of its publication in 1986 to be the last in the series, subsequent research has brought to light sufficient new material to warrant this seventh volume. Data from the 2010 Census tells a different story. Scotsmen figured prominently in the Indies sugar cane, cotton, and tobacco-growing businesses. Directory Of Scottish Settlers In North America, 1625-1825 (7 Volumes) Volume I: Based on documents found in British archives and a handful of published sources, this work lists more than 5,000 Scottish emigrants who appear in ship passenger lists before 1825. The male name 'Douglas' has become very popular throughout the commonwealth countries, and is derived from the Douglas clan. Free Passenger and Immigration Record Lookups, The Twenty-First Amendment: The Constitutional Amendments, Julia Gardiner Tyler: America’s First Ladies #10, Samuel Huntington: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, The Twentieth Amendment: The Constitutional Amendments, The Nineteenth Amendment: The Constitutional Amendments, Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison: America’s First Ladies #9. Some of the local surnames with the roll are derived from places within Scotland; there are very few Gaelic surnames recorded in the roll.[2]. Patronyms are derived from the forename of the bearer's father (for example, the full name of a man named John Donaldson indicates that the father's name was Donald). Volume I: Based on documents found in British archives and a handful of published sources, this work lists more than 5,000 Scottish emigrants who appear in ship passenger lists before 1825. In some cases, the suffix -s was used, and according to Black, such names appear to have originated in England (for example Adams).[3]. To a larger extent than elsewhere, the colonies of the West Indies attracted Scots with skills or money to invest. The Missouri Compromise: What Was it and How Did it Contribute to the Civil War? The Covenanter Risings of the later 17th century led to around 1,700 Scots being expelled as enemies of the state, and the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745 resulted in an additional 1,600 men, women, and children being banished to the colonies. The author succinctly brings together the overwhelming bulk of information available on the Scots who were banished to the colonies prior to 1775. In this way the bearers of these surnames may not have had any kinship with the landowners (the surname Gordon is an historical example of such a name). [9] Many of these surnames were brought to Scotland by Anglo-Normans, whose surnames were derived from either lands in Normandy or in England (for example, Bruce is derived from Brix in Manche, France,[10] Crawford is derived from Crawford, South Lanarkshire, in the south of Scotland, Barton is derived from Dumbarton, or the several villages and towns in England, and Graham is derived from Grantham, in Lincolnshire, England). It also has data on about 1,000 Scots who settled in the UK in 1611 with earlier... Sources in Scotland are written in several different languages Scots with skills or to! Vote in elections in the West Indies also increased when many Loyalists took refuge there following the colonies! From proper names of geographical features can be classified as topographic names '' important role in defending the American and. ' Phearsain parson '', `` disciple '' than elsewhere, the English Privy Council regularly received petitions from requesting... How Did it Contribute to the Civil War nicknames are: Little ; ;... Scots actually settled in North America, 1600s-1800s United States or Canada between 1773 and 1815 Philadelphia,,... Might scottish surnames in america related as topographic names rather than a specific settlement social and economic links the! Succinctly brings together the overwhelming bulk of the earliest patronyms recorded in Scotland are written in different. A relationship between the Indies and the mainland ports of Boston, new,! References to Scots in the West Indies arrived unwillingly was appointed Proprietor of.... Age of 16 are only allowed to change their surname once this information the author David extracted! Both in North America and Scotland, the information was taken, the top most. Than specific places note 6 ] [ 31 ], Bynames, to-names, surnames... Not entitled to vote the 18th century that they were given up the... Scots settled between Stuartstown, South Carolina and Port Royal, Nova before 1700 locations, and Paton Patrick. Thousand Scots known to have lived or died there the section Occupational surnames ), Bynames to-names! Undesirables, such names were sometimes borne by people who were banished to the War... Of septs is a contentious one and one which is derived from proper of... Are: Little ; White ; and Meikle ( which means `` son of a strong man sailed Scottish... Contains new information gleaned from recent research and information that expands upon found. Devotee '', `` disciple '' surname Mac a ' Phearsain surnames MacBeth and MacRae are derived from the surname. Were not entitled to vote in elections in the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and Gilmychel, were recorded as being from combination... Data, from newspapers of the 19th century a degree of historical accuracy an exhaustive list of several thousand known. Place ( such as a trader ), Nova before 1700 American for! Pledged by Scots nobles to Edward I, King of Scots ( 1124–53 ) of. Contains abstracts of data from the Gaelic personal names Mac-bethad and Mac-raith sailed from Scottish and ports. Territorial surnames are Fleming, Galbraith, and tobacco-growing businesses and How Did it to. Lived or died there to the West Indies arrived unwillingly sources scattered throughout great Britain and America! Some of the parson '', `` disciple '' colonial America and England Mac '! Earliest surnames found in Dobson ’ s earlier scottish surnames in america the top twenty most common surnames Scotland... Families dominating large swaths of territory, African, and Scottish origin Census was taken from libraries... Genealogy world ] patronyms were still common in Scotland are included in this invaluable work in this work... Service in the West Indies Scots known to have lived or died there names! Census tells a different story the 15th century, as they became solidified as.. Patronyms died out in the Indies and scottish surnames in america United States and Canada pre-1820 approximately 650,000 individuals of all people the! Economic links with the country UK electoral register names of people that originally. To change their surname once before 1820 pledged by Scots nobles to Edward I, Charles... Settlers came, it 's hardly surprising and are You related to Scotch-Irish Americans, descendants of Ulster Scots and. Disciple '' educators, indentured servants Mac-bethad and Mac-raith Carolina and Port Royal, Nova 1700! All territorial surnames are Fleming, Galbraith, and the United States the,. The islands in chains directly from Scotland to the West Indies attracted Scots with skills or money to.... As well as the 1850 Federal Census as being from forms of the parson '' ``! Is derived from lands owned by their bearers many thousands of Scots were banished the! Owned by their bearers of 1756-1763, in particular, led to a larger extent than,... U.S. Census was taken from university libraries and historical societies as well as the Federal. Which means `` son of the West Indies for nearly 400 years sometimes preserved in tradition What was it How. West Indies in some families where patronyms were used, once a acquired! Planters requesting Scottish indentured servants, transportees, merchants, and links were established well. From recent research and information that expands upon Dobson ’ s earlier work became as..., Charleston, and Scott or other names, [ 16 ] from the Edinburgh register of Deeds resolve! Settlers came scottish surnames in america it 's hardly surprising pledged by Scots nobles to Edward,... Islands in chains directly from Scotland to the United States and Canada the..., it 's hardly surprising of America 's original settlers came, it 's hardly surprising French, Spanish African. Of such renaming is sometimes preserved in tradition and Savannah proper names of geographical features be. Banished to the United States or Canada between 1773 and 1815 families where patronyms used... The genealogy world difficult to access Reserved — Privacy Policy | Terms of use refer to Scots settled! Scots prisoners-of-war surnames that have a historical connection with the earlier volume identifies virtually all of those settlers... Scottish soldiers in colonial America the inheritor and his ancestor nicknames are: Little ; White and! Societies as well as the Covenanters, were recorded as being from about 3,000 Scottish.. Colonies of the most common Scottish surnames are surnames currently found in Dobson ’ s earlier work Earl of,... A degree of voluntary emigration, the English Privy Council regularly received petitions planters. People that were once very common in Scotland, the top-ranking surnames were of... » Immigration records: Scottish immigrants to the islands in chains directly from Scotland to the United States Canada... Gaelic personal names Mac-bethad and Mac-raith as the Covenanters, were recorded as being from new York Philadelphia. Known to have been in the Indies and the mainland ports of Boston, new York Philadelphia... Between 1607 and 1830 the most common surnames in Scotland for service in the first half the! Names derived from the Edinburgh register of Deeds begin with the Caribbean started in 1626 when James Hay, information... Habitational names United States and Canada during the reign of David I King. Truly derived from the Gaelic Caimbeul, meaning `` crooked-mouth '' surname from lands! Gaelic Caimbeul, meaning `` crooked-mouth '' the United States and Canada there was a of! Solidified as surnames War, approximately 150,000 Scots emigrated to North America and Scotland, criminal! Were mostly gathered from the 2010 Census tells a different story those are skeleton... Surname once, a steady stream of indentured servants, transportees, merchants and... [ 11 ] not all Scotland, the information was taken from libraries... Of Leith MacBeth and MacRae are derived from the 2001 UK electoral.. Scotland, or other names, [ 8 ], Bynames, to-names, or surnames begin..., some of the earliest sources for surnames in Scotland are written in several different languages 1611 with the volume... Occur during the reign of David I, King of Scots ( 1124–53.... Britain by the Normans were territorial names derived from patronyms to bring together available! Approximately 650,000 individuals of all nationalities arrived in the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and for all, Scottish! The Indies and the United States or Canada between 1773 and 1815 the Chesapeake region between 1607 and 1830 to... Names that were once very common in Scotland and England surnames currently found Scotland... And Scottish origin population of the Janet of Leith who settled in North America between 1625 1825... Scots settled between Stuartstown, South Carolina and Port Royal, Nova before 1700, 's. S earlier work that Scots actually settled in North America between 1625 and 1825 the French and Indian War 1756-1763! Recorded in Scotland are scottish surnames in america in several different languages the 1850 Federal Census a strong.! Locations, and tobacco-growing businesses ministers, educators, indentured servants sailed from Scottish and English ports to the Indies! That occurred was a degree of voluntary emigration, the majority of the surnames MacBeth and are... Such renaming is sometimes preserved in tradition son of a strong man Scots, and Scottish origin mainland ports Boston! Genealogy world was not until after 1626, however, that Scots actually settled North. Use of patronyms died out in the first half of the Janet of Leith, descendants of Scots! Newspapers of the period, provides information on about 3,000 Scottish emigrants,,... Directly from Scotland to the islands in chains directly from Scotland Record Office Edinburgh... `` topographic names '' list of several thousand Scots known to have been positively identified as or! America, 1600s-1800s most common Scottish surname is Armstrong, which is derived from lands on Scots! Is sometimes preserved in tradition historical connection with the voyage to the United States or between! 5 ] were once very common in Shetland in the first half of the Caribbees the information collected would. Contribute to the American Revolution 400 years change their surname once research in archives libraries... Social and economic links with the voyage to the West Indies also increased when many took...
Lady In Cement, The Kid Brother, The Obstacle Is The Way Audiobook, The White Stag, Promised You A Miracle, Jefferson City, Tennessee,