EDINBURGH   (1600-1700)

      The earliest record I could find for McWh*rter in the Scots Origins Index for the Old Parish Registers was for the christenings of two sons of a “Johnne McQuhorter” and his wife, “Bessie Robesone” recorded in the Registration District of Edinburgh. On 19-Oct-1600 their son “Gilbert” was christened and on 2-Dec-1600 a son “Johnne” was also christened.

     Less than a decade later, also in the Registration District of Edinburgh, there occurred 16-Jul-1609 the christening of a “Johne McWharter”, son of “George McWharter” & “Elspaith Hammiltoun”.

     What the connection may have been between the “McQuhorters” and “McWharters” of early 17th century Edinburgh I do not know. The Old Parish Register records shed no further light on the question as the next McWh*rter record in the index occurs in 1648 and comes from Ayrshire.

     Indeed, the only other 17th century McWh*rter record I could find for Edinburgh or vicinity is the 18-Oct-1664 christening of “Agnes McQuhatter”, daughter of “Duncan McQuhatter” & “Catherine Short”.

     Whether the McWh*rters of early Edinburgh were descendants of Ayrshire families or separate families altogether cannot be discerned from Old Parish Registers.

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     Aside from the 3 entries of Edinburgh ALL the rest of the McWh*rter entries in the Old Parish Registers prior to 1700 are from southwest Scotland (Ayrshire or Kirkcudbrightshire) in the Registration Districts of Kirkmichael,  Straiton,  Dalmellington,  Ayr,  Loudoun,  Ochiltree,  Dailly,  Minnigaff, Sorn and Barr.

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KIRKMICHAEL   (1648-1700)

     In the Parish of Kirkmichael there is recorded 4-Jun-1648 the marriage of “Marjorie McQuhirter” & “John Kennedie”.

     There must have been a good sized McWh*rter “clan” already in Kirkmichael by the mid-17th century because on 4-Jan-1649 “John McWhirter” son of “David McWhirter” was christened there; followed on 10-Nov-1650 by “Margarat McQuater”, daughter of “Gilbert McQuater”; on 15-Feb-1652 “Johne McQuater” son of “Johne McQuater”; and, on 27-Mar-1653 “Johne McQuatter” son of “James McQuatter”.

     The variety of spellings that are evident even in the records of a single parish suggest that there was no CORRECT spelling for the surname in 17th century Kirkmichael, or perhaps different recorders simply did their best phonetically with a surname that never had much occasion to be spelled until parish records began to be kept.

     Only a few other Kirkmichael records appear until the beginning of the 18th century [unless I haven’t found them yet]. On 25-Feb-1655 “James McQuater”, son of “John McQuater” was christened in Kirkmichael and on 7-Oct-1655 occurred the christening of “Helen McQuater”, daughter of “James McQuater”. On 13-Sep-1663 there took place the christening of “Georg McQuater”, son of “John McQuater”.

     No other McWh*rter records for Kirkmichael prior to 1700 could be located except for the marriage of “Janet McWhorter” to “John Goudy” on 29-Aug-1697.

     Whether the absence of McWh*rter records in Kirkmichael for over 30 years is indicative of their actual absence from Kirkmichael or merely missing records I do not know.

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STRAITON   (1649-1700)

     The largest group of McWh*rters in 17th century Ayrshire is found at Straiton.

     The earliest record is that of the 15-Jul-1649 christening of “Peter McChurter”, son of “Andrew McChurter” & “Annabill McChurter”. A 2nd child of Andrew & Annabill, “Margaret McChurtor”, was christened 8-Apr-1652 and a 3rd child, “Jeane McChurter” was christened 27-May-1658.

     On 5-Nov-1650 “Jonet McChurter” married “Queintin Shaw”. On 14-Jan-1651 “John McChurtor” married “Margaret Kennedie”. On 6-Nov-1651 a female “McChurtor” married “William Andersone”. On 11-Aug-1653 “Andrew McChurter” married “Jonet McTosh”. On 14-Dec-1658 “Hugh McChurter” married “Jonet Edgar”. Of these marriages no offspring seems to have been recorded as christened in Straiton (or nearby).

     On 19-Nov-1650 “John McChurter”, son of “John McChurter” & “Mary Sinclair” was christened in Straiton. John & Mary also had children christened “Katharine McChurter” 7-Dec-1651; “Margaret McChurter” 20-Jan-1653; “David McChurter” 20-Jan-1659; and “Joanet McQuirtor” 21-Jun-1660.

     A   “Jhon McChurter” married “Anable Cunigham” 20-Nov-1655. Their daughter “Marie McChurter” was christened 23-Aug-1656. On 21-Aug-1659 “John McQuirtor” son of the same “John McQuirtor” & “Anabell Chininggame” was christened in Straiton.

     On 30-Aug-1653 “Jhone McChurter” married “Bessie Hunter”. Their daughter “Marie McChurter” was recorded as christened 27-Mar-1659.

     Two children of “Peter McChurter” & “Jonat McDill” were christened in Straiton; “Jhone McChurter” 13-Dec-1655 and “Jeane McChurter” 27-May-1658.

     “Jhone McChurter” son of a “David McChurter” & “Marion Logie” was christened 17-Feb-1659.

     On 8-Apr-1652 “Margaret McChurtor” daughter of “Andrew McChurtor” & “Annabill “McChurtor” was christened and on 27-May-1658 “Jeane McChurter”, daughter of  the same Andrew & “Anable”, was christened in Straiton.

     On 2-Nov-1662 “James McQuhirter”, son of “John McQuhirter” & “Marione Sinklar” was christened in Straiton.

     “Georg McQuater” & “Isobell Hanna” had a son “James McQuater” christened 3-Jun-1661 and a 2nd son “James McQuater” was christened 7-Aug-1664.

     On 30-Nov-1665 “Marie McQuhorter”, daughter of “David McQuhorter” & “Besie McQuhorter” was christened. And on 18-Feb-1666 “Androwe McQuhorter”, son of “Williame McQuhorter” & “Jenat McKrenkine” was christened.

     After 1666 the OPR McWh*rter christening records in Straiton get sparse. On 12-Mar-1677 the christening of “Jeane McQuater”, daughter of “David McQuater” & “Jenat McQuater” is recorded. On 1-Apr-1682 is recorded the christening of “Mary McQuhirtor”, daughter of “Peter McQuhirtor” & “Isbell Millar”.

     However, a number of McWh*rter marriages are recorded in Straiton late in the 17th century. On 21-Apr-1691 “John McWhorter” married “Agnis McRankine”. On 3-Jun-1694 their son “John McQuhortor” was christened.

     On 14-May-1691 “John McWhortor” married “Jennet Slos”. On 3-Apr-1692 their daughter “Margrat McWhortor” was christened followed on 25-Feb-1694 by son “Peter McQuirtor”.

     On 28-Apr-1692 “Margrat McWirter” married “Robert McCail”.

     On 9-Jul-1693 “William McQuhirter” son of “John McQuhirter” & “Margrat McIlwrick” was christened. On 5-Jun-1694 a “McWhorter” (1st name not given) married “Janat Carsan”.

     On 4-Dec-1695 “James McWhortor” son of “Quintin McWhortor” & “Agnes Hutcheon” was also christened.

     On 25-Feb-1697 “Anna McQuarter” was married in Straiton, but her husband’s name is not given in the record. On 9-Sep-1697 a “Janat McWhirter” was married, but her spouse’s name is also not given.

     On 25-Nov-1697 “Jon McWhorter” married “Margaret Cabreath”. Their daughter “Bessie McQuhertor” was christened 11-Jan-1699.

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DALMELLINGTON   (1650-1700)

     The earliest mention of McWh*rters in the OPRs of Dalmellington occurred with the christening of “Jeane McQuatter”, daughter of “David McQuatter” & “Catharen McDill” on 1-Feb-1650.

     On 16-May-1658 “Jeane McWhirtur”, daughter of “Peter McWhirtur” was also christened there.

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AYR   (1664-1700)

     In the Parish of Ayr “John McQuhirter”, son of “John McQuhirter” & “Marie Kennedy” was christened on 10-Apr-1664.

     On 25-May-1679 “George McQuatter”, son of “Thomas McQuatter” & “Margaret McQuhirtour” was christened. [The different spellings of the last name suggest that perhaps some family spellings were beginning to stick].

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LOUDOUN & SORN   (1677-1700)

     In Loudoun on 26-Apr-1677 “George McWhirter” married “Agnes Wyllie”. It appears that this family removed to the Parish of Sorn at some point as the christening of “George McWhirter”, son of “George McWhirter” & “Agnes Wylie” was claimed there 10-Mar-1695.

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OCHILTREE   (1684-1700)

     In the Parish of Ochiltree on 6-Apr-1684 a “Mary McQuhirtter” married a “Johne Schaw”.

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DAILLY   (1694-1700)

     In the Parish of Dailly the earliest mention is of “Jonnat McWhirter”, daughter of a “John McWhirter”, christened in Dailly 29-Oct-1693.

     The next year, in 1694 [day and month not given], a “John McWhirter” married “Helen McIlwrath”.

     A “Marion McWhirter” was married there 11-Jun-1695 [but the name of her spouse is not given].

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BARR   (1690-1700)

     The Parish of Barr recorded the marriage of “Robert McWhirter” to “Agnes Stewart” on 24-Jun-1690 and the marriage of “Katrian McWhirter” to “James McHarg” on 8-Aug-1692.

     A “William McWhurtur”, son of “William McWhurter” was christened there 20-Jun-1699.

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KIRKOSWALD   (1699-1700)

     In the Parish of Kirkoswald “John McWhorter”, son of “Thomas McWhorter” was christened 4-Jan-1699.

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MINNIGAFF   (1696-1700)

     The Parish of Minnigaff lies in Kirkcudbrightshire, bordering the Ayrshire parish of Colmonell. On 4-Jan-1696 there is recorded there the marriage of “William McWhirter” and “Jean McClellan”.

     Less than a month later on 2-Feb-1696 a “William McWhirter”, son of “Alexander McWhirter” is christened there.

 1700 to 1720

Ayr (1700-1720)     2 occurrences—2 “McQuatter”

     The first 18th century McWh*rter recordings in Ayr were the 1715 marriage of “Thomas McQuatter” and “Jonet Rob” and the 12-Nov-1719 marriage of “Margaret McQuatter” and “William Rankin”.

Barr (1700-1720)     23 occurrences—16 “McWhirtor”  5 “McQuirter”  1 “McQuirtor”  1 “McQuhirtir”

     On 20-Mar-1702 “Mary McQuhirtir” married “Andrew McMurtrie”.

     On 2-Jul-1704 an “Agnes McWhirtor”, daughter of “William McWhirtor”, was christened. On Sep-1706 a “James McWhirtor”, son of perhaps the same “William McWhirtor”, was christened.

     Also in Barr, another “Agnes McWhirtor”, daughter of “Robert McWhirtor”, was christened 25-Feb-1705.

     On 2-May-1705 “Elizabeth McQuirtor” married “Thomas Cumin”.

     “Margrat McQuirter” married “Heugh McUlleon” on 4-Apr-1709. And, on 9-Nov-1709 “William McQuirter” married “Elisebeth McAlpin”.

     On 11-Jul-1712 “Jean McQuirter” married a “Gilbert Mure”. On 25-Jun-1714 “Jonat McQuirter” married “Gilbert Mclure”. And, on 21-May-1715 “Anthony McQuirter” married “Jean McMiillean”.

     On 1-Feb-1711 “David McWhirtor”, son of one “William McWhirtor” or another was christened. “Andrew McWhirtor”, also son of a “William McWhirtor”, was christened 3-May-1713.

     Three children of a “Hugh McWhirtor” were christened in Barr about the same time. “David McWhirtor” was christened 28-Oct-1711, “Agnes McWhirtor” was christened 9-Jul-1717 and “William McWhirtor” was christened 22-May-1720.

     On 18-Feb-1711 “Jein McWhirtor”, daughter of an “Andrew McWhirtor” was christened.

     The 2-Jan-1720 marriage of “Helen McQuirter” and “Thomas McKnish” is recorded at Barr as well as Dailly where Helen’s surname is recorded as “McWhirter”. This is a good example of the surname of one person be spelled differently depending on who was doing the recording!

Dailly (1700-1720)     11 occurrences—11 “McWhirter”

     On 21-Jun-1713 “Mary McWhirter”, daughter of “William McWhirter” was christened. “Thomas McWhirter”, son of perhaps the same “William McWhirter” was christened 10-Mar-1717.

     Five “McWhirter” marriages are recorded in the space of 8 years in Dailly. On 22-Apr-1712 “Jean McWhirter” married “Thomas McTeir”. On 6-Jun-1717 “Helen McWhirter” married ‘Thomas McCubbine”. Later the same year on 26-Dec-1717 “Jannet McWhirter” married “Thomas Forgie”. A “William McWhirter” married “Mary Heron” on 20-Oct-1719. And on 28-Jan-1720 a “Helen McWhirter” married a “Thomas McKnish”. The marriage of Helen & Thomas is also recorded at Barr where Helen’s surname is spelled “McQuirter”.

     On 27-Mar-1720 a “John McWhirter”, son of “William McWhirter” was christened.

Dalmellington (1700-1720)     5 occurrences—4 “McQuhirtor”   1 “McWhirtor”

     “Elizabeth McQuhirtor”, daughter of “Quintin McQuhirtor”, was christened 5-Jan-1701. On 6-Feb-1704 “Peter McQuhirtor”, son of “Hugh McQuhirtor”, was christened.

     On May-16-1720 “Quintine McWhirtor”, perhaps a son of “Quintin”, above, married “Bessie Hook”.

Dundonald (1700-1720)     2 occurrences—2 “McQuaters”

     On 25-Nov-1716 “Elizabeth McQuaters”, daughter of “David McQuaters” was christened.

Kirkinner (1700-1720)     1 occurrence— 1 ”McWhirter”

     “Janet McWhirter” married “Henry Muir” on 2-Mar-1710.

Kirkmichael (1700-1720)     2 occurrences—1 “McWhorter”   1 “McQuater”

     “Jean McWhorter” married “John Dunlope” on 1-Sep-1702. On 10-Apr-1718 “Agnes McQuater” married “Robert McCosh”.

Maybole (1700-1720)     2 occurrences—2 “McWhirtor”

     The first recorded McWh*rter in 18th century Maybole was the christening of “Hugh McWhirtor”, son of “John Bothan McWhirtor” on 1-Oct-1719.

Minnigaff (1700-1720)     4 occurrences—4 “McWhirter”

     “John McWhirter” married “Margret McKie” 15-Apr-1703. Their son “John McWhirter” was christened 21-May-1704, a daughter “Margaret McWhirter” was christened 17-Aug-1718 and a son, “Alexander McWhirter” was christened 3-May-1719.

Monkton & Prestwick (1700-1720)     6 occurrences—6 “McQuater”

     On 8-Sep-1706 is recorded the christening of “Issobell McQuater”, daughter of “Thomas McQuater”. On 31-Aug-1718 “James McQuater”, son of “Thomas McQuater” was christened and on 11-Dec-1720 “David McQuater”, son of “Thomas McQuater” was christened.

Ochiltree (1700-1720)     3 occurrences—2 “McWhirter”    1 “McWhorter”

     “Mary McWhorter” married “John Boyle” 1-Dec-1709. On 22-Jun-1712 “Agnes McWhirter”, daughter of “John McWhirter”, was christened.

Penninghame (1700-1720)     3 occurrences—2 “McWhirter”   1 “McWhirtor”

     On 5-Dec-1712 “John McWhirtor” married “Jonet McKie”.

     On 2-Dec-1717 “Agnes McWhirter” married “William McHarg”. “Andrew McWhirter” married “Agnes Douglass” on 25-Mar-1718.

Sorn (1700-1720)     5 occurrences—5 “McWhirter”

     On 23-Jun-1702 is recorded the marriage of “John McWhirter” and “Janet Andrews”. Recorded thereafter are the christenings of their children “William McWhirter” on 21-Jan-1705 and “James McWhirter” on 30-Jan-1709.

Straiton (1700-1720     3 occurrences—3 “McWhirtor”

     Three “McWhirtor” marriages occurred early in 18th century Straiton. On 26-Nov-1702 “Elizabeth McWhirtor” married “Patrick Miller”. On 17-Feb-1706 a “Margaret McWhirtor” was married but her husband’s name is not given. On 9-Feb-1709 “Marie McWhirtor” married “Danniel Mitchel”.

 1721 to 1750

Ayr (1721-1750)   11 occurrences —- 9 “McQuatter”   2 “McWhirtor”

     On 11-Feb-1724 an “Anna McQuatter” was born. A “David McQuatter” was christened 13-Nov-1726.

     “Jane McQuatter” married “John McClelland” 26-May-1733.

     Three children of “James McQuatter” and “Isabell Stewart” are recorded as christened in Ayr, “James McQuatter” on 16-Nov-1735, “Margarit McQuatter” on 18-May-1738 and “George McQuatter” on 1-Mar-1746..

     “Agnes McWhirtor” married “James Jamieson” on 7-Jun-1745.

     On 1-Dec-1749 “Hugh McWhirtor” married “Mary Hutcheson”. This marriage is also recorded at Straiton on 28-Nov-1749 with the names spelled “McWhirter” and “Hutchison”.

Ballantrae (1721-1750)     18 occurrences —- 18 “McWhirter”

     A “Mary McWhirter”, daughter of “Thomas McWhirter” and “Margaret Campbell” was christened in Ballantrae on 14-May-1732.

     On 11-Oct-1733 “John McWhirter”, son of “Andrew McWhirter”, was christened.

     On 17-Apr-1735 “James McWhirter” married “Janet McLwraith”. “John McWhirter”, son of “James McWhirter” and “Janet McLwrath” was christened 22-Feb-1737. On 25-Dec-1739 “Jean McWhirter”, daughter of the same “James McWhirter” and “Janet McIllwraith” was christened. “Alexander McWhirter”, son of “James McWhirter” and “Janet McIllwraithe”, was christened 18-Mar-1746.

     On 24-Jun-1737 “Hugh McWhirter”, son of “Allexander McWhirter” and “Janet Galla” was christened. A daughter of “Alexander McWhirter” and “Janet Galla” [first name not given] was christened 10-Jun-1740.

     The marriage of “