Group Administrator:
Grier McFarland - Email:
GypsyGG@aol.com
Project Surnames
Geer, Greer, Grier, Grierson
Current balance:
$0.00
Group General Fund
Project Background
In the middle to late 1600's Scots-Irish families named Greer and Grier began immigrating to the Colonies through the ports of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Northern Ireland and Scotland.
As new land was opened, Greers/Griers began moving south and west into Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas. Some migrated further north and west from Pennsylvania and into the midwest.
Greer and Grier are long known to have been septs of the Scottish name McGregor. Beginning in 1603 the McGregors were proscribed by the King and forced to change their names or face certain death. Many changed from McGregor to Grierson, to Greg, Greig, Greer and Grier, etc., thus there are two spellings for the same name.
The Greer or Grier surname has not been proven through DNA to be in a direct line to the clan of the present Chief, the McGregors of Glencarnoch or Glengyle, even though there is much evidence of close relationships. There is, however, a connection to other McGregor lines.
In this project we are looking at the Greer/Grier surname as a name unto itself. Since leaving Scotland and Northern Ireland, Griers and Greers have risen to positions of worldwide importance including the military, the courts and business. The Greer/Grier lines deserve individual examination.
Our Greer and Grier ancestors fought with General George Washington in the French and Indian War and in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the War Between the States. In more modern times, WWI and WWII, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and Iraq.
Our ancestors played a great role in settling and defending this great country of ours.
Connection with the McGregor line will continue to be an ongoing project. After joining the Greer/Grier Project, you may also join the McGregor Project at no additional charge and belong to both projects simultaneously.