Montgomerie Family Names

May 19, 1994

Marion Halpenny

Vancouver, B.C.


Hi Joss:



I guess when you wind me up there is no end to what can happen. If I don’t tell you some of the lore concerning this side of your roots, they will die with me and I feel that would be something of a shame.


My Grandmother, (my father’s mother – your great, great grandmother) was a rare character. I won’t go into her today. It’s about her family. Their family names include Houston, Pearson, Eglington for a few. Houston Texas was named after a Scot called Sam Houston. (yes we are related).


Many Americans tout him as a hero but he was sent to the ‘Colonies’ because he was a no goodnick- bad guy. That’s where all family black sheep were sent to prevent further embarrassment to the stoic Scots.


My grandmother’s maiden name was Houston. Her mother’s maiden name was Pearson. Thus I am, and get this for a girl, Marion Pearson Montgomerie. Nearly everyone in my family has or had a last name for a middle name, as was the custom. Peter Cairns, James Stevenson, Frank MacIntosh (my twin), me, Hugh Houston. After these, my parents veered from family, hence, Cairns Wellwood (delivery doctor) Steven Marino (Father’s best friend) and John who should have been Gilchrist. But because my father had no use for his only sister’s husband, refused to put Gilchrist on the birth certificate – so John is just John.


Bein a Scots family, it is rife with quarrels and grievances that never seem to be resolved. The people involved just die off. Instant resolution.


Back to my Grandmother’s family. We called her Gran, as did anyone who came into our house. Her father was a traveling Presbyterian Minister who traveled all over Scotland to bring the ‘true word.’


Her mother’s family were some kind of lesser gentry. My Gran became a Midwife/Nurse. She used to take assignments all over Britain. Her job was to take care of the new baby. So, she would have sic weeks before delivery and six weeks after delivery and all she did was tend to the child. No laundry, no cooking or cleaning, just the ‘wain.’ She was a graduate of the Glasgow School of Nursing – a very prestigious place indeed.


Among her family names, Eglinton places quite prominently. There is a street in Toronto called Eglinton. This is named after Lord Eglinton, who was related my Gran’s mother. I know these are a long way back and not relevant to anyone today, but as I said before, these small things will die with me…sooooo, Ramble on Grandma.