Galloway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The age-old Scottish surname Galloway was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people. The Galloway family lived in Galloway, Scotland, an area covering what is now the counties of Kircudbright and Wigtown. 

Early Origins of the Galloway family

The surname Galloway was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Galloway family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Galloway research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1430, 1632, 1405, 1606, 1551, 1626, 1551, 1576, 1580, 1581, 1606, 1607, 1610, 1615, 1619 and are included under the topic Early GallowayHistory in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Galloway Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Galloway has been spelled Galloway, Gallaway, Gallway, Gallowey, Gallaraw, Gallowray, Gallery and many more.

Early Notables of the Galloway family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Patrick Galloway (1551?-1626?), Scottish divine, born about 1551. In 1576 he was appointed minister of the parishes of Foulis Easter and Longforgan, Perthshire. On 14 Nov, 1580 he was called to the Middle Church at Perth, and admitted on 24 April 1581. Galloway was popular as a preacher, and his services were sought in 1606 as… 
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Galloway Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Galloway World Ranking

In the United States, the name Galloway is the 828^th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. [1] However, in New Zealand, the name Galloway is ranked the 814^th most popular surname with an estimated 898 people with that name. [2] And in the United Kingdom, the name Galloway is the 848^th popular surname with an estimated 7,996 people with that name. [3]

 Migration of the Galloway family to Ireland

Some of the Galloway family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Galloway migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them: