I asked several older family members about our modified name. The story I was told is it was because we tried to “fit in” with the locals, who were Irish. Back in those days, the Irish controlled everything. While still in Pennsylvania, that’s when the name change happened. So we grew tired of the Irish suppression, so we moved south.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the Cherokee Indians. We taught them to hunt. They taught us to grow food in this new land. In the end, we learned to be diverse, understanding and willing to care. I think this is why our family crest has an arm, holding a tree.