The Urie surname is an uncommon Scottish surname. I had not come across it until one of my blog readers asked me to write about it. With great interest, I researched this unusual name, as part of my series on Scottish surnames.
Origins of the Urie Surname
The Urie surname (also spelled Ury) has geographical roots in Kincardineshire, a region near Aberdeenshire. The surname most likely came from the River Ury, which flows near Stonehaven and Inverurie. Over time, the name became associated with the land surrounding the river, giving rise to the surname.
Meaning of the Urie surname
I checked my handy book on Highland Place-Names by William Owen and discovered that the Gaelic word ur means ‘new’. Other sources link Urie to the Gaelic word iubhar which means ‘yew tree’.
Since there is no definitive meaning, I leave it to you to decide which interpretation resonates most.
The History of the Urie Surname
The earliest recorded mention of the Urie surname dates back to 1296, when Hugh Urre swore fealty to King Edward I of England at St John’s Town, now known as Perth. That same year, he appeared as Hugh Urry in Forfar in the Ragman Rolls. This was a list of Scottish nobles and landowners who pledged allegiance to Edward following his conquest of Scotland.
In 1297, Duncan Urry was captured during the Battle of Dunbar, one of the first major conflicts in the Wars of Scottish Independence. He was imprisoned in Gloucester Castle but managed to escape in 1302 or early 1303.
By 1366, Hugh Vrry, a burgess of Stirling, appeared in legal records. Interestingly, he was ordered to repair sections of river hedges that he and his accomplices had previously destroyed.
Urie Castle Estate
The name Urie is historically connected to Urie Castle, also known as Urie House. This was an imposing Tudor Gothic building constructed in the 19th century, located just northwest of Stonehaven.
The estate was previously home to the influential Barclay family. Some of the more interesting family members included:
- Robert Barclay, a noted Quaker theologian, and
- Captain Robert Barclay-Allardice, an athlete who once walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours for a wager in 1809.
Variations of the Urie Surname
Over time, the Urie surname has evolved into various forms, including Ure, Urie, Ury and Urry.
Interestingly, there is an Ure Street in Dundee, named after James Ure, a gardener who had a nursery in the city.
His older brother, Robert Ure, was also a gardener, and his gravestone can be found in The Howff Cemetery, one of Dundee’s oldest burial sites – well worth a visit!
Notable People with the Urie Name
Several historical figures have carried the Urie surname:
- John Urie (c. 1510–1585) – A Scottish Protestant reformer and scholar who played a role in the Scottish Reformation. He served as a minister in Petty, Moray, and later as a rector at the University of Aberdeen.
- Sir John Urry (1666–1715) – A professional Scottish soldier and Jacobite supporter who served as a general in the Duke of Argyll’s army during the Jacobite rising of 1715.
- John Urry (1714–1783) – A Scottish religious writer who compiled theological works, including A Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs.
The Urie Surname Today
Although Urie remains a relatively uncommon surname, it has spread beyond Scotland, particularly to North America. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Urie surname appeared 1,092 times, ranking it as the 23,315th most common surname in the country.
Conclusion
After reading this blog, I hope you will agree that the Urie surname is tied to the landscape of Scotland.
Have you come across the Urie surname in your family history? Share your story in the comments below or contact me for genealogy help.
If you enjoyed learning about the Urie surname, you might also be interested in my article on the origins of the Steele surname.
Thank you for joining me on another historical journey into a Scottish surname.
Please remember to leave a comment below and if you want me to write about your Scottish surname, then please let me know.
Good luck with your family history research.
Until my next post, haste ye back.
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