In reply to your request for information on the Greers of
Penna., will state that your source for the origin of the name is true, to a certain extent, but there is more to the story.
The clan
McGregor was in Scottish history for very good reason. They were leading an opposition to the
English King. They were so fierce a foe in battle that the
English Parliament banned the use of the name
McGregor for holding land, etc.
Some changed to Gregory,
Grier, and
Greer and several other variations of
McGregor.
Later when the
English had subdued the Scotsmen, they shipped large numbers of
Scottish families, who were Protestants, to northern Ireland to help Anglicize the Island.
My Greer ancestors were from County Down and travelled to
America for religious freedom.
The
Greer genealogy is fascinating and has led me to many interesting discoveries.
Actress
Greer Garson's mother was a
Greer and from County Down and Miss
Garson answered me enquiry about 30 yrs. ago, stating if my relatives were Greers from that County, that she was sure we were related.
Her letter is a prized momento.
Also, the late Rt.Hon. Lord
Bishop of
Manchester, William Derrick
Lindsay Greer was also a "
Downer" and stated that he had had a great deal of
Greer genealogy queries and had deposited same with the
Ulster Record Office, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
My ancestor Greers also landed in
Philadelphia, but later came down the great valley of
Virginia.
Do you have any names of Greers who might have come south also.
