Donnachy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Donnachy

What does the name Donnachy mean?

Dalriada, in ancient Scotland, is where the name Donnachy evolved. It was a name for someone who lived on the lands of Stewart of Atholl. Anciently, they were known as Clan Donnachaidh, coming from the Gaelic name Donnachadh Reamhar, or Duncan the Stout, one of the Celtic Earls of Atholl. Most of the Clan took on the name Robertson, which comes from the personal name of 15th century Clan chief Robert Riach.

Early Origins of the Donnachy family

The surname Donnachy was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Donnachy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donnachy research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1650 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Donnachy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donnachy Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Donnachy has been written as Robertson, Conachie, Conaghy, Conacher, Conaghy, Conchie, Donnachie, Donachie and many more.

Early Notables of the Donnachy family

More information is included under the topic Early Donnachy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Donnachy family to Ireland

Some of the Donnachy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 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 Donnachy family

Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Donnachy, or a variant listed above: John Conacher, who settled in Maryland in 1716; C. Conacher, who settled in Philadelphia in 1838; Margaret Connacher, who came to New Brunswick in 1799.

The Donnachy 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: Virtutis gloria merces
Motto Translation: Glory is the reward of valour.