SOME STRATHEARN SURNAMES AND THEIR ORIGINS

Some Surnames of Strathearn



For those of us engrossed in family history , it is quite usual to become aware of names that keep cropping up in a particular area . Having been involved with Strathearn genealogy for more than a few years I thought it of interest to point out a few that originated locally or are indeed were found in abundance in these airts

TOSHACH :.Strangely enough , those football fans amongst you will yell out “ John Toshack ”. Although the former Welsh captain was a sporting legend in the Valleys , the name actually originated here in Strathearn . Akin to MacKintosh , the Toshacks of Monzievaird were a leading family in the 16th and 17th centuries whilst the Toshacks of Pittenzie were a powerful bunch centuries prior to this . Finlay Toshack of Pittenzie is mentioned in documents in the 1500s whilst one ,Alester McAndro Tossoche .was fined for reset for members of the outlawed Clan Gregor in 1613 !

BROCK : Sometimes spelt Broch ( they lived close by the Pictish stone structures of that name ) and found in Caithness but mainly in the Black Isle of Easter Ross . The first Perthshire Brock recorded seems to have been a Henry Brock in Dunkeld in 1328 . With regard to Strathearn , there was a Joannes Brock in Kinkell in 1663 .

BROUGH : Generally believed to be from Harray in Orkney ( 16th century ) but found in Perthshire from the 16th century ( John Brough in South Kinkell in 1598 ) . Interesting alternative is that many of the Strathearn Broughs were descended from Flemish weavers who came over on the invite of the John Drummond , Earl of Perth and the name is derived from the town of Bruges in Flanders .

HALLEY or HALLY : Helleys were around Perthshire certainly in the late 17th century . There is a William Hally recorded in Perth in 1666 and a John Hally, portioner of Balbrogo in the Diocese of Dunkeld in 1700 .

MCOWAN : Not to be confused with McEwan , the McOwans or McOwens are a sept of the Breadalbane Campbells ( Lawers and Kenmore ) and are found locally often to the west of Crieff around Monzievaird and Comrie

MACROSTIE or MACROSTY or MACCROSTIE : Probably the only Scottish
“ Mac “ without a tartan ! The MacRosties are pure Perthshire . The name is said to have derived from St Drostan a Celtic saint . Found locally in Monzievaird where the ancestors of James of Park fame originated .

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Rise and Fall of Inchbrakie – The Story of the Graemes and Why A Great House Was Demolished and A Family Heritage Threatened

Image
Inchbrakie House The Inchbrakie story is one of the sad tales of the Strath. This ancient family once were one of the dominant influences in Strathearn and their names appeared with frequent regularity as the centuries unfold. The Graeme family of Inchbrakie are however still around. There is a most excellent web site http://www.inchbrakie.com/ which provides a superb source of research and information into not only the family but also their domicile up until the late 19th century at Inchbrakie . Anthony Graeme , a present day descendant and a most charming person , lives in far off Devon but is a frequent visitor here in Strathearn .Interestingly , there are here in Crieff,  a couple of roads bearing that illustrious name .One wonders just how many of the inhabitants of houses in those specific airts know much about the original name ! We are, however ,  most fortunate that the family history of the Graemes was painstakingly recorded in a book Orr and Sable – a bo
Read more

Glen Artney and Auchnashelloch : A Royal Forest and Comrie’s Highland Heritage .

Image
A number of years ago I purchased a  small booklet on Glen Artney in the book shop  that existed for  some years in Drummond Street Comrie. The author was the late Gordon Booth FSA , a superb researcher and accomplished author . He was not a local man since moving to the village  from I believe the Island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides. Since arriving in the area, he  had  read and assimilated much of the history and folk lore of this part of the Strath  .I recall the late Tom Weir ( of the woolly hat ) doing a programme in his Weir’s Way series on Glen Artney an d featuring Gordon Booth . Regrettably  all seven of his little books are out of print although they may be available to borrow through Perth and Kinross Library Service. I have incorporated partial excerpts from his  writings in this blog on the Glen which I duly acknowledge as a fitting tribute to his diligence . Glen Artney is some eight or  so miles in length from the former prisoner  of war camp at Cultybr
Read more

Feddal Castle, Braco

Image
Feddal Castle, Braco Introduction : The PerthshireCrieffStrathearn Blogs  have  been posting  now on local history and places of interest in the area for  over  10 years with well over  200 tales of  varying styles and types . This new  blog on Feddal Castle at Braco is of  special interest to me . It is the  first blog   by  my  son Nic and his  family . A team  effort if there ever  was one ! The buildings  have a fascinating  history and have  been comparatively  neglected  by other  local historians despite its proximity  to Braco and   ease of access . The standard of pictures throughout is  high and the script  informative ; Blog Team : Nic Mayall ,Caroline Mayall and Callum Mayall As a relative newcomer to Braco & Greenloaning, I am keen to explore some of the local history and learn more about the area. Braco is rich in history, being home to one of the best preserved Roman camps at Ardoch and also Braco Castle. My curiosity has been piqued more about the history we
Read more