THE CHERRIE FAMILY
by Robert Hugh Cherrie
The surname CHERRIE appears
listed as a sept of Clan Boyd on the website http:www.tartans.com/clans/Boyd/html.
This was the first I've ever encountered
it during any research. I do know
it is of Norman origin and was spelled - de Che'Rie -.
There is also mention
of a relationship to the Knights Templar and their participation
in the service of Robert de Bruce.
This may also tie it to the Clan Boyd or Stewart.
The tartan is listed as ancient
Paisley or Stewart. Nowadays, most Cherries are located
in Midlothian, however I think
my ancestors left for the New World from
the Lanark
area.
Going back to the Norman or
Knights Templar connection, my father and
grandfather have my great grandmothers'
maiden name as their middle name:
Breure. This traces to the
Norman grandfather of Richard the Lionhearted,
Henry Breure, duke of Anjou,
leaving both of these surnames with signs
pointing to Scotland and other
Norman families such as de Boyd and de Bruce.
I am fascinated with these
links to the Knights Templar and especially to
the mysterious Rosslyn chapel
and am wondering if anyone can shed some
light on these subjects.
Robert Hugh Cherrie
86 Kutz Road
Fleetwood, PA 19522
Email: [email protected]
Cherry/Cherrie: Adam Chery who held land in Ayr, 1348, (Friars
Ayr, p. 17) is doubt-
less the AAde Chiry who forfeited lands in the sheriffdom of Ayr
in 1368 (RMS, I, 239).
Stephen Cherie had confirmation of a charter of the lands of Kinbruin
and Badecashe in
the barony of Rotheinorman, 1380 (Illus, III, p. 552). Johannes
Chery was burgess of Ayr
in 1415, William Chere, burgess in 1454, and John Chery, bailie
of Are, 1460 (Ayr, p. 9, 11,
16, 87). William Chere was member of Ayr Guild c. 1431 (Coll AGAA,
I, p. 228). John
Churrie, merchant burgess in Glasgow, 1623 (Burgesses), William
Churrie in Burnefit, parish
of Dumfries, 1638 ( Dumfries), Alexander Chirray appears in the
Drumwharne in Killearn,
1715 (Stirling), and William Cherry was keeper of the toll-bar on
the road to Greenock, 1798
(Campsie). Chirrie 1649. The surname gave name to Chyrrelands
(Ayr, 67).
(Black's Surnames of Scotland,
pp 148-149)