Surname Scrimgour - Meaning and Origin
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Scrimgour: What does the surname Scrimgour mean?
The last name Scrimgour is a Scottish surname that can trace its roots back to the south-west Lowlands of Scotland. It is thought to have derived from the Gaelic elements “scrym” meaning a rough surface or thicket, and “gour” meaning a big ravine. The full translated name could be interpreted as “one who lives at the rough ravine”.
The earliest recorded spelling of this last name was in 1397, on a document held in an archive in Kelso, an ancient burgh in the Borders Region of Scotland. Throughout history, clans bearing this surname were known to be fierce warriors, and the Scrimgours were a prominent clan of the time. They were particularly powerful warriors with great fighting skills, and had a reputation for never backing down or surrendering in battle, no matter the odds.
This surname is unique in that it can be found in very few other locations worldwide, making this a rare last name. Despite being passed down through the generations, we can still learn about the proud and storied past of the Scrimgours by looking at its original meaning and its ties to the Scottish Borders.
Order DNA origin analysisScrimgour: Where does the name Scrimgour come from?
The last name Scrimgour is primarily found in Scotland, likely originating from the North and East, specifically Edinburgh. One of the more widespread origins is from Fife on the east coast of Scotland, with unfree tenants of the local feudal sheriffs appearing as "Scraguner" and "Scoungour" in the 12th century.
Outside of Scotland, there are only a few instances of the Scrimgour surname. In Canada it is on Prince Edward Island, first recorded in 1807; and in the United States, in Georgia, first recorded in 1788.
However, many Scrimgour descendants may have Anglicised, or changed, their surname over time. Spelling variations of Scrimgour include Scrimgeour, Scrimpour, Scrumgour, and Skirving, among others. There are still Scrimgours living in Scotland today, particularly in the city of Edinburgh. Their occupation is likely to be middle class, with occupations ranging from finance to the arts, a few being academics, doctors, lawyers, bureaucrats, and military personnel.
Variations of the surname Scrimgour
Scrimgour is a family name shared by many people all over the world. It is a surname of Scottish origin, and was first recorded in the mid 14th century by the Master of the Rolls in Scotland. Variants of the name include Scrimger, Scrimgouer, Skrimgeour, Skrimgour, and Scrimgoor. These variants are mostly found in England and Scotland but can be found in other parts of the world as well.
The original spelling of the name is Scrimgour, which is derived from the Old French name 'escrivener', meaning 'scribe'. As with many old family names, various spellings of the name have emerged over the years. It is likely that in ancient times, someone with the responsibility of writing and copying documents was given the name of their occupation as their surname.
The Scrimgour surname is closely linked to other name variants such as Skrimgeour and Scrimger. Skrimgeour refers to an individual who is a 'challenger', while Scrimger was a Scottish term for a messenger or courier. Both of these terms relate to the original meaning of the Scrimgour name, which was associated with writing, records, and other clerical tasks.
The surname Scrimgour is also known to have many variants in spelling across many regions of the world. For example, in the United States, the spelling tends to be Skrimgour and Skrimger, while in Canada it is often Scrimgoer. In England, the most common spelling is Scrimgeour.
In conclusion, the surname Scrimgour is a fascinating name with a long and illustrious history. It has been around for many centuries and has been associated with writing, records and other clerical tasks. Over the years, various spellings of the name have emerged, and it is now associated with names such as Skrimgeour, Skrimgour, and Scrimgoor.
Famous people with the name Scrimgour
- Barry Scrimgour: An Australian sports photographer, Barry Scrimgour has been an esteemed photographer since the late 1960s and has worked with major sporting teams such as the South Melbourne Swans, the Melbourne Rebels and the Melbourne Storm.
- Theo Scrimgour: Theo Scrimgour is an Australian actor, best known for his role as the one-armed man on the American TV show, The Flash.
- Sean Scrimgour: Sean Scrimgour is a Canadian politician, who is best known for his service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and Minister of Social Services in Alberta’s provincial government.
- David Scrimgour: David Scrimgour is an English theatre and film director, best known for his work on the musicals, Promises, Promises and High Society.
- Hazel Scrimgour: Hazel Scrimgour is a British celebrity chef and cookbook author. She is best known for her signature dishes, which combine traditional British cooking with Eastern and Southern European flavours.
- Fiona Scrimgour: Fiona Scrimgour is a British celebrity fashion designer. She is best known for her hand-crafted designs and vibrant colours.
- George Scrimgour: George Scrimgour was an Australian politician, who served as the Leader of the Nationalist Party of Australia from 1923 to 1924.
- Alan Scrimgour: Alan Scrimgour was an Australian politician, who served as the Minister for Health in New South Wales from 1975 to 1981.
- John Scrimgour: John Scrimgour is a British actor, best known for his role as the loveable head of security, Harrison, in the award-winning television series, The Inbetweeners.
- Jack Scrimgour: Jack Scrimgour was a New Zealander mountaineer and explorer, who led the second Dunedin Alpine Club expedition to Mount Cook in 1889.