Dalrymple Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Dalrymple is a surname of Scottish origin. Further investigation into its etymology indicates that it is an amalgamation of three words of Gaelic origin.  The words “dail”, “croim and “puill”, the rough translation of these words gives the meaning of “an area of crooked stream”. The surname emerged in the second half of the 14^th Century. The surname was also associated with the viscounts of Stair.

James Dalrymple was the foremost viscount of Stair who laid the foundation of viscount of stair in 1690 and was anointed as the first viscount of Stair by King William. William Dalrymple was renowned as the Dalrymple of stair (referring to the land he acquired through his marriage).

It has several spelling variations including Dalrimple, Dalrymple, Dalremple, Dalrempel among numerous others. The name was also carried by Sir James Dalrymple, an author hailing from Scotland and the head clerk of Session. Grace Dalrymple was a Scottish spy who chronicled her personal account of the French revolution in her book “Ma Vie Sous La Révolution”.

Mary, William, Ann and Janet Dalrymple are a few members with the Dalrymple surname who migrated and settled in North Carolina and New York in the United States of American in 1775. The surname is also associated with two survivors of the sinking RMS Lusitania; David and James Dalrymple.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Earl of Stair). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, on a saltier az. nine lozenges of the field, for Dalrymple; 2nd and 3rd, or, a chev. chequy sa. and ar. betw. three water bougets of the second, for Ross. Supporters—Two lions gu. Crest—A rock ppr. Motto—Quiescam. Another Motto—Firm.
2) (Cousland, Scotland, bart. 1698; the 6th bart. became 8th Earl of Stair). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, on a saltire az. nine lozenges of the field in chief a water budget sa.; 2nd and 3rd, sa. a cross flory cantoned with four galleys ar., for Fletcher, of Cranston. Crest—A rock ppr. Motto—Be firm.
3) (North Berwick, bart. 1697). Or, on a saltire az. betw. two water budgets in flanks sa. nine lozenges of the field. Crest—A rock ppr. Motto—Be firm. Supporters— Dexter, a lion guard. gu., sinister, a falcon ppr.
4) (Sir Hugh Whitefoord Dalrymple, Bart., 1815, title extinct at the death of his son and successor). Or, on a saltire az. betw. a star in chief gu. and two water budgets in flanks sa. nine lozenges of the field. Same Crest and Motto.
5) Horn Elphinstone – (Logie Elphinstone, co. Aberdeen, bart., 1827). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, on a saltire az. betw. two water budgets in flanks sa. nine lozenges of the field, for Dalrymple; 2nd and 3rd, or, three hunting horns gu., for Horn; en surtout, ar. on a chev. sa. betw. three boars’ heads gu. a mitre or, a bordure of the third, for Elphinstone. Crests—Two horns erect per fesse or and sa. counterchanged, for Horn; a rock ppr. on which the Motto, Firm, for Dalrymple; and an armed hand erect ppr. holding an ostrich feather sa., for Elphinstone. Supporters —Dexter, a bull sa. armed and unguled or; sinister, an eagle wings expanded sa. armed or. Motto—(below the shield) Moneo et munio.