Moore Surname: Irish or Scot

[TrueBlue]

I would like to know if my last name is Irish or Scot. My mother's maiden name is Kelley and she says this is Irish. My surname is Moore. My Dad has no idea whether this is Irish or Scottish. I put my name in the STA Tartan ferret and it said I should wear Campbell, Gordon, or Boyd tartans, but I do not know if I am Scottish. I was also told that the tartan is paternal, and you cannot wear your Mom's tartan (since my Mom is Irish she does not have a tartan, just the saffron kilt). What tartan should I wear? Also, can I wear saffron?


I want to buy a kilt in 2007, but I need to know which tartan or solid color would be best.

[macwilkin]

I would like to know if my last name is Irish or Scot. My mother's maiden name is Kelley and she says this is Irish. My surname is Moore. My Dad has no idea whether this is Irish or Scottish. I put my name in the STA Tartan ferret and it said I should wear Campbell, Gordon, or Boyd tartans, but I do not know if I am Scottish. I was also told that the tartan is paternal, and you cannot wear your Mom's tartan (since my Mom is Irish she does not have a tartan, just the saffron kilt). What tartan should I wear? Also, can I wear saffron?


I want to buy a kilt in 2007, but I need to know which tartan or solid color would be best.

Without proper genealogical documentation, it is hard to say what nationality your ancestors were. You might want to visit with your parents and see if there are any genealogical records in the family -- if not, then your best bet would be to trace the lines back and see if any nationalities can be determined.

The whole tartan only being through the paternal line is hogwash. And remember, there are Irish tartans -- the Irish national and the various County tartans, althougth it should be pointed out that these are relatively recent innovations. A saffron or even a dark green solid kilt would also be appropriate.

Regards,

Todd

[Improv1]

Through my research on my Grandmothers name, Muir, I found that Moore is frequently from the same source as Muir, More, Moir, etc... and is Scottish in origin. The Clan Muir history is well documented and if you fit into it, I would be glad to give you some reference materials online (PM me for more info).
It is difficult to tell your ancestry without doing the searches through your own history.
Best of luck!

[Splash_4]

As Cajunscott has already stated, I think you will find that most of us on this board subscribe to the philosiphy that you don't have to be a Scot to wear the kilt. Find one you like and wear it proudly!

[Bill]

Hi!

It's good to see that you have an interest in your family history. My first suggestion is to pump any reletive still living for all the information on your family that you can as they are a resource that you will not always have. Seconsly there is no subsitution for documentation do the paperwork. Check family Bibles, birth and death certificate. etc.. .

Tha t being said I found some tidbits on the surname Moore at www.Ancestry.com in their surname origin section. The surname Moore is found in it's greatest numbers in Ireland (4236) then England (2873) and lastly Scotland(320) (these are the three top place of origin according to the site). As it has been said the Moore surname may be (is) a derivitive of Muir in Scotland and that may account for the low numbers in Scotland since the search only looks for Moore.

Good luck with your research!

Bill

[sirdaniel1975]

The Moore name can be a Scottish one. There are some tricks to give a better idea if it is or not.

Migration time, route, and destination.
-Scot's heavily settled the S.E. of the USA.

Religion
-Was your father's family Presbyterian? Many who could not practice Presbyterian after migration (usually because there was no Presbyterian Church in the area) often attended/converted to Baptist Church(or some other protestant faith). Many Scot's were still practicing Catholics, most were just Presbyterian. {This is as I learned it from Com. Walter Taylor, Historian and volunteer at the Scottish Tartans Museum} I can vouch that this is what my family did in the early 20th century. They converted to Baptist because there was no Presbyterian church where they were living.... something to think about.

Spelling
-We've all heard this one, where the spelling of names changed when folks migrated to the U.S. You know; dropped prefixes like Mac, Mc, M', O' etc.., simplified spellings and misspelled registers and manifests.. The possibilities are endless.

Change of Name!
-Many folks are so suprised to find out that an ancestor(s) changed their name(s) legally or illegally depending on the circumstances. Sometimes people just wanted a fresh start.

I keep reading about "You can't wear your mother's tartan" statements. Remember; Because the MacGregor name was outlawed, Rob Roy went by his mothers name Campbell for much of his life. Always remember, YOU CAN WEAR WHAT YOU WANT!

[macwilkin]

The Moore name can be a Scottish one. There are some tricks to give a better idea if it is or not.

Migration time, route, and destination.
-Scot's heavily settled the S.E. of the USA.

Also, many Scots settled in Pennsylvania and the Mohawk & Hudson River valleys of New York, although many Scots in the later were Loyalists during the Revolution and later moved to Canada. In addition, PA saw thousands of immigrants from Ulster (Northern Ireland); these are the "Scots-Irish" who travelled down the Great Wagon Road to the backcountry of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia.

Religion
-Was your father's family Presbyterian? Many who could not practice Presbyterian after migration (usually because there was no Presbyterian Church in the area) often attended/converted to Baptist Church(or some other protestant faith). Many Scot's were still practicing Catholics, most were just Presbyterian. {This is as I learned it from Com. Walter Taylor, Historian and volunteer at the Scottish Tartans Museum} I can vouch that this is what my family did in the early 20th century. They converted to Baptist because there was no Presbyterian church where they were living.... something to think about.

Scottish Presbyterians also converted to the Methodist, Congregationalists and "Campbellite" (Disciples of Christ) Churches. You also find quite a few Highlanders who were Episcopalians.

I keep reading about "You can't wear your mother's tartan" statements. Remember; Because the MacGregor name was outlawed, Rob Roy went by his mothers name Campbell for much of his life. Always remember, YOU CAN WEAR WHAT YOU WANT!

That's a very good point about Rob Roy; I'll have to use that one!

Cheers,

Todd

[sirdaniel1975]

Cajunscot,

Great add-ons to my statements. Cheers!

[Frank McGrath]

My mother was a Moore. She was born in Carroll County Md . The family moved to Illinois and then to Virginia. My wife and I are tracing the Moores. It could also be a derivitive of Mohr , Moor , or any other spelling. Depends on what port of entry the family first came into, and whether or not the record keeper took the time to get the spelling correct. But, without some records of your forebears, Its hard to trace. Wear any kilt that suit your fancy. Its not the color, but the wearin'. Good luck in your search.

P.S. Could also be German. Now that throws a wrench in the works.