Urquhart is a Scottish clan name from the far north-east, long associated with the Black Isle and the lands of Cromarty. It is a name of old standing, carried by a family that gave Scotland one of its most colourful scholars.
Quick answer: Urquhart is a Scottish clan name from the lands of Urquhart in the north; the chiefs were the Urquharts of Cromarty, and the clan motto is Meane weil, speak weil, and doe weil.
Where Does the Urquhart Name Come From?
The name comes from lands called Urquhart, a place-name of early Celtic origin found in the north of Scotland. The clan became established around Cromarty and the Black Isle, north of Inverness, where the Urquharts of Cromarty held the hereditary office of sheriff and built their seat at Castle Craig and later Cromarty.
The Urquharts of Cromarty
The Urquharts of Cromarty were the chief family of the name. Their most famous member was Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, the seventeenth-century scholar, author, and royalist, celebrated for his witty writings and his translation of the works of Rabelais into English. He is also remembered for an elaborate — and famously imaginative — family genealogy. The clan held its northern lands through the centuries and remains a recognised Scottish clan with its own chief today.
The Urquhart Motto
The clan motto is Meane weil, speak weil, and doe weil — an old Scots phrase counselling good intentions, honest words, and good deeds.
Own a Piece of Urquhart Heritage
The Urquhart name appears across a range of keepsakes — an outdoor garden flag, a Christmas ornament, apparel, an engraved board, and more — each pairing the family name with a tartan-background crest design.
Popular Urquhart gifts: Garden Flag · Ornament · Crest Apparel
Frequently Asked Questions About the Urquhart Name
What nationality is the Urquhart surname?
Urquhart is Scottish, a clan name from the north of Scotland around Cromarty and the Black Isle.
What does the Urquhart name mean?
It comes from lands called Urquhart, a place-name of early Celtic origin.
What is the Urquhart motto?
The clan motto is Meane weil, speak weil, and doe weil.
Who was Sir Thomas Urquhart?
He was the seventeenth-century scholar and writer of Cromarty, famous for translating Rabelais into English.
If you're proud of your Urquhart heritage, you can explore gifts and home décor featuring the Urquhart name by using the search bar above.
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