Muirhead

Crest: Two hands supporting a sword erect in pale, Proper Motto: Auxilio Dei Translation: By the help of God Origin of Name: Place name Seat: Bothwell

The surname Muirhead is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Scottish word “muir,” meaning moor, and “head,” meaning edge or top, likely referring to the family’s origins at the edge of a moor. The spelling and pronunciation of the surname has changed over time as the family has moved to different parts of Scotland and beyond. Some members of the Muirhead family were Covenanters and were exiled to the English colonies in North America in the late 17th century for their refusal to swear allegiance to King Charles II.

According to legend, the first recorded member of the Muirhead family was Sir William Muirhead of Lauchope, who was knighted by King Robert III in the late 14th century. William Muirhead is said to have captured the killer Bertram deShotts and received the lands of Lauchope as a reward for his bravery.

The Muirhead family has a tradition of service, with many members serving their deity and their fellow man with devotion, courage, and humility. Throughout the centuries, the Muirheads of Bothwell, Cumbernauld, Lauchope, and Bredisholm, and their descendants, have played a significant role in the history of Scotland and have made important contributions to their communities. The surname Muirhead is still present in Scotland and around the world today, carried on by the descendants of this ancient and noble family.