Ateer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Ateer

What does the name Ateer mean?

On the Scottish west coast, the Ateer family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic form Mac-an-Tsaoir, which denotes son of the carpenter or wright.

Early Origins of the Ateer family

The surname Ateer was first found in on the Isle of Iona, 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 Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Ateer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ateer research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1372, 1564 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Ateer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ateer Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Ateer has appeared as MacAteer, MacTear, MacTeir, MacTire, MacAtee, MacAtter, MacAttur and many more.

Early Notables of the Ateer family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Gilbert MacAteer, Chief of the Clan on the island of Bute in 1564

Migration of the Ateer family to Ireland

Some of the Ateer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ateer family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Ateer were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William MacAteer settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; Edward MacAtee settled in Philadelphia in 1864; Mark MacAtter settled in New York in 1811; James MacAttur settled in New York in 1811.

Contemporary Notables of the name Ateer (post 1700) +

Charles F. Ateer Jr., American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Buenos Aires, 1945-46 1

The Ateer 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.

Sources +

The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html