The first written record of the surname Gourley was made in Lothain well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William of Hastings in 1066 AD. The family name Gourley is believed to be descended originally from the Strathclyde Britons. This founding race of the north were a mixture of Gaelic/Celts whose territories ranged from Lancashire in the south to the river Clyde in Scotland. By 1000 AD. the race had formed into decernible clans and families, perhaps the first evidence of the family structure in Britain.

By the 16th and 17th centuries many of our modern family names descended from this ancient race, including Gourley. Tracing its ancient development, the name Gourley was found in Lothain were they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated in Clydsdale in 1174 with manor and estates in that shire. After 1000 AD. a lot of the Strathclyde familys  straddled in the Scottish, English border. In 1603 AD. the union of the Scottish and English crowns became a reality and the “unruly” border clans was broken up to England, Scotland and Ireland. Some was unhappy with this arrangement and looked to the “new world” as a option.  They set sail across the Atlantic in sail ships, some ships losing up to 40% of the passenger list du to diseases and the elements.

The Motto: Profunda cernie means, He comprehend profound things.

The Gourleys in South Africa are all related to one another in one way or the other.

(Source: Swyrich Corporation)