Family Surnames
Examining the family histories within our community reveals a common thread: most of us came from other parts of the land, often under duress due to the actions of ruthless Landlords who had serious issues with our culture and language and tried their best to replace it with the culture of their Southern Masters.
Morrisons 23/24 Borve >> 4 Borve History of Dileas [Faithfull in Gaelic]
The Smiths of Borve were originally known as the MacGowan's, hailing from Balquhidder in Perthshire and Loch Tayside
Angus MacGowan and his family moved to Borve in 1857 to escape from the marauding Duke of Cumberland and changed his name to Smith which is the same in Gaelic Mac a Gobhain. His wife was Marion Graham from Loch Tayside. They had five of a family,
The Martins of Mid Borve were originally from Ardbeag in Uig. They were forced out of Uig in the mid 1700s and relocated to other parts of the Island
Peter Maciver arrived to Borve in the late 1700's from the Isle of Pabaidh Mor Under the same circumstances as the Martin's and the many other families that were evicted to make way for sheep farming. Updated 13/04/26
John Nicolson 16 Old Melbost [Iain Fiosaich]
Murdo Nicholson 13 Old Melbost [ Na Claireich] Updated 11/04/26
Muitar Dhomhnuill Oig updated 11/04/26
MacAskill's of Melbost Borve
Graham's 29 Borve. [Na Bidean] Originally from Old Galson. This family are in the 1841 census living in Borve.
Grahams. Muitar Chalum Iain
Grahams: Muitar Mhichael
Grahams: Iain Tailear 5 borve
Morrison's 10 Borve. Muitar Tharmoid Ruadh Mhic Iain from 10 Old Borve.
James Saunders was a Psalmist/Catechist who came from Dundee in the early 1800sHe lived at 12 Old Melbost Borve He passed away before 1841.
They were renowned for their singing and apparently that singing gift followed on through the generations