Search for content in message boards

Scottish Surnames and Immigration to America

Scottish Surnames and Immigration to America

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 5:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Henderson, McKendrick
Hi everyone,

This may be a strange question, but was it common/normal for Scottish immigrants to America (in the 1780s or so) to switch to using their clan's name when they came to America rather than the surname they had previously used in Scotland? If so, why?

I ask because I'm trying to find my 4-times great grandfather's parents, and the best clue I have found is that it is possible that while he (Archibald Henry Henderson, b. about 1784) and all his brothers and sisters used the Henderson name in America, his parents (Archibald McKendrick, b. 1740, and Mary Drew Smith, who also seem to have immigrated) generally used the McKendrick surname (although at times Archibald Sr. is also shown as Archibald Henderson). I'm not sure if I've found the right parents for my great great great great grandfather, but so far most of the details line up with what I know about my Archibald Henry Henderson and his family. Any information regarding either Archibald, why the family would have switched names, or if this is even the right family to trace would be greatly appreciated!

If it helps any, my Archibald Henry Henderson (who went by Henry most of his life) came to NC around 1805, ultimately settling in the Canton area (Haywood County) of NC where he evidently farmed and ran a mill. His wife's name was Elizabeth Susan Sellars.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! - Stephanie

Re: Scottish Surnames and Immigration to America

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 10:33AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Henderson, Kerr
Hi Stephanie,

This is probably just an FYI for you. My ancestor was William HENDERSON, and he had a brother, Samuel HENDERSON. They were born in the 1780's - but - in County Sligo, Ireland. This is according to a researcher in Canada who has been studying the "family group" for over 20 yrs. They joined other people, probably relatives, when they left Ireland and migrated to Canada in the 1820's. Dozens of researchers in Canada, and a few in USA (me) have been trying to find out who their parents were, and no one has succeeded.

Researchers in Ireland and Scotland tell us the 2 families, HENDERSON and KERR people, could have left Scotland and moved to Ireland in the mid-1700's. But, we just don't know.

Family group:
Samuel and Catherine (unknown) HENDERSON
William and Mary (KERR) HENDERSON
Patrick and Elizabeth or Hannah (KERR ?) KERR
Miss Elizabeth KERR (marr. in Canada)
John and Ann (HENDERSON) KERR

(all born in 1780-1805 timeframe in Ireland, and all married couples had at least one child before leaving ~1823-1825)

Betty (near Lowell, MA, USA)



per page

Find a board about a specific topic