In September of 2014, I traveled to the Western
Highlands of Scotland to see some spectacular sights as I researched Scotland's
past for some historical romances I'll be writing.
My traveling companion, author Kaki Warner, and
I took several trains, including the Jacobite train that crosses the Glenfinnan
Viaduct:
I thought it was fitting I should do a post on
the Walkers of Scotland. So here is The Walker “clan” for you to enjoy!
From what I can tell, there is more than one
belief on how the surname Walker came about. Some say it refers to the men who
walked about the castle to watch for intruders or thieves. Others say Walker
originates from Waulker, “son of the fuller or cloth maker,” and refers to
those who walked on the wool that was cleaned and thicken by being soaked in
water and trampled under foot. In any event, the name is widespread throughout
Scotland. (It is the 21st most common name in Scotland.)
The Highland or Gaelic version of the name
Walker is MacNucator and derives from "Mac an fhucadair" (son of the
fuller of the cloth), of which the old Scots equivalent is Waulker. In modern
times, the name is associated with both the Stewarts and the McGregors.
My mother once told me that we were “papists in
Scotland and Protestants in Ireland.” I decided that meant we were rebels all
around, though I think she was speaking of Clan Donald, my mother's kin. Still,
in the 17th century, the Walkers were fined for harboring fugitives of the
outlawed Clan Gregor!
Clansmen of the name followed the Stewarts of
Appin in support of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. The Appin Stewarts,
known as “The Loyal Clan,” are a part of the West Highland branch of the royal
surname Stewart. They are associated with Castle Stalker in Argyll. Their motto
is Quihidder Wil Zie (Whither will ye? That is, what/which will
you..choose…war or peace?) I'm reading a Scottish historical romance now, Lady
of the Glen, that shows the Stewarts of Appin fighting alongside the
MacDonalds at Killiecrankie.
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| Castle Stalker, Argyll |
Prior to the majority of the MacNucator
clan changing their name to Walker in the 18th century, the MacNucators appear
to have been located in and around Knapdale, where historians have associate
them with Clan Macmillan. They are also a sept of Stewart.
 |
| Loch Caille Bharr in Knapdale |
Those
who consider themselves to be members of the Clan Macmillan, use the emblems of
kinship of that clan. (OK, so it's not a red based tartan!)
Walkers of note:
As far as I could ascertain, the earliest known
Walkers to immigrate to America were John, Roger and Isabel Walker who
immigrated to Virginia in 1623.
Patrick Nowcatter was Procurator Fiscal for
Argyll in 1655, and Martine McNaucater held the same office in 1667.
In the 18th century, Helen Walker (d.1791)
walked from Scotland to London to petition for the life of her sister who had
been condemned to death for infanticide. Her story provided the inspiration for
Sir Walter Scott's epic tale of Jeanie Deans in The Heart of
Midlothian. A statue was erected in Kirkpatrick-Irongray, Kirkcudbrightshire
by Sir Walter Scott in memory of Helen Walker upon whom he based his character.
Robert Walker (1755-1808) was born in Monkton,
Ayrshire and became Minister of Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh.
James Walker (1770-1841) was born in Fraserburgh
and became Minister of St Peter's Episcopalian Chapel, Edinburgh, and in 1830,
the Bishop of Edinburgh.
Sir James Walker (1863-1935) became Professor of
Chemistry at Dundee University and worked on hydrolysis, ionization and
amphoteric electrolysis.
The Irish and English
Walkers:
Walker is also an English name near the Scottish
border. And Walkers throughout Ireland have been identified as non-linked
families to the ones in Scotland and England. A Walker family from Ireland is
probably from Sligo or Derry where they came from, two of the hardest hit areas
during the famine.
So, now you know! Tell your friends whose
surname is “Walker” they have an interesting heritage!
Hi. My mother was a Walker, and my middle name is "Walker". Our Walkers settled in Rutherford County, NC. When I was a child, I saw a land grant from King George before we had that "spot" of difficulty with the British in 1776. I'd love to see it again; don't know what happened to it. I must've been 7 years old when an Aunt brought it out. I am related to Walkers, Greens, Proctors in that area.
ReplyDeleteIn 1880, Noah Walker, a close relative ours (different line extending from my grandfather,s parents) was Sheriff of Rutherford County, NC. He arrested a man by the name of Daniel Keith for the murder of a young girl. Long story short, was tried and convicted of the crime. All the time awaiting the hanging, he asserted, "I have done many bad things in my time, but this one I did not do. The soul of an innocent man will not rest." Uncle Noah had no choice but to hang him, but I think it bothered him. Shortly thereafter, a shadow of a hanged man appeared on the jailhouse wall, and created quite a stir. Folks told the Sheriff, "you get rid of that "han't" up 'ere on the wall"! None of his friends that used to come for coffee in the morning would come visit anymore, and people would cross the street to keep from encountering this "ghost"! So Noah whitewashed the jail and it worked...............for a little while. Soon it was BACK, once again scaring the people of the town away. He painted it again. It came BACK again. He painted it several times. It came back. Again and again--until finally, Mr Walker planted an ivy vine to cover the side of the jail. As a 7 year old I "saw" the shadow, or remnants of it when my little buddies dared me to peek behind the vine! It scared me to DEATH!!! I had nightmares!
There was a local song written about it and a story was written of it in a book called "North Carolina Ghost Tales (stories)". It is a documented incident involving my mother's family, but it may be out of print now. George (R) Walker, first cousin, was a newscaster/weatherman on WSPA, Spartanburg, SC. (deceased now). Roger Walker, my 2nd cousin, lived in Virginia and worked as a Yardmaster for Norfolk & Western Railway. I musta got that "bug", too, for I spent my working career with Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern Corporation. ..Just a few comments for you. Hope not TOO boring!
Thanks for the comments, Jerry. A lot of Scots settled in North Carolina. Yours is a fascinating story. The Walkers in my family settled in Virginia. Who knows? We might be related (though the world is full of Walkers).
DeleteHI again, Just wanted to acknowledge your post and stop in again for a moment. That story is well known around Rutherford County, and it is documented. If you haven't already, you can find it online. When I was in grammar grade, that book I mentioned was in the school library.
DeleteI proudly pointed it out to my classmates! it also scared me; I was a little kid, after all. Imagination, you know!
Ya never know about connections. I don't know how he ended up in Suffolk, Va--moved from NC, or was always there. He worked for Norfolk & Western RR betweem there and Norfolk. From what I could find out, he was a well-known, and liked, Yardmaster for the railway. He and my Mom (and Dad, too) were very good friends, and we used to visit Suffolk. He was quite proud of his nephew when he learned that I, too, had chosen the railroad as a career. Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western merged to form Norfolk Southern Corp. I am retired. I'll make a "whistle stop" here now and then!~ ;)
Jerry
My great grandparents was Walker and as far as I know there is a unicorn in the family history.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I bet there's a story there!
DeleteI'm a descendant of William Walker (Birth 27 JUL 1744 • Orange County, North Carolina, USA, Death 20 OCT 1819 • Grimsby Twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario). William was a loyalist who left the country with his family around 1794 to Canada--all except one son: Robert Walker. Robert and his wife Eleanor Latta (Birth 18 DEC 1767 • Orange County, North Carolina, USA, Death 4 APR 1826 • Orange County, North Carolina, USA).
ReplyDeleteI come from the family of Robert and Eleanor. They're child, George Washington Walker (married Lucy Ann Dortch) had a son named Robert Young Walker (married Ruth Jackson Miller). Robert Young then had a son with Ruth named Miller Jackson Walker (married Mary Henrietta Woods). Miller and Mary then had my late grandfather Robert Young Walker (married June Terry) who had my father, Everett Young Walker.
According to my research, we come from Ireland around 1701 possibly by a William Walker who was married to an Ann Anslow. I cannot confirm this 100%. I can only get this information as far back as the William Walker I first mentioned at the beginning here.
My name is Joshua Young Walker. My middle name, as does my father's, grandfather's and great-great-grandfather's middle name comes from Lucy Ann Dortch's father Young Dortch.
Joshua, that is a wonderful family history and it's great you know so much of it. A lot of the Scots came through Northern Ireland on their way to America. The Scots in my family did.
DeleteMy grandfather was Dr. William James Walker (Dec 25, 1856- Nov 21, 1952). He lived with my grandmother for about 15 years in WV until his death and fathered 3 children with her (2 are still alive). He was an Internist, Surgeon, compound pharmacist, avid horseman, writer, and business owner (jewelry store, land and construction, real estate, mining, banking). He told stories to his children about how as a young boy, he broke in horses for the army during the civil war. This fared him well as he later competed in horse racing. He also showed evidence that William Walker who conquered Nicaragua was his father. Many online records have been changed regarding our family. You can contact me by email for further information. patrician1856@outlook.com
ReplyDeleteI am a Walker from upstate New York. In father’s lineage are the MacDougalls. I have pictures of my father in his kilt.
ReplyDeleteI am a Walker from Burgaw Nc Randolph Walker was my great grandfather
ReplyDelete