Posted on: STEELE Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/surnames/s/t/STEELE/queries/10213 Surname: Steele, Steil ------------------------- My Steeles were in Scotland before 1620. In the Scots Armorial compiled 1620-1650 there is Coat of Arms of "Steill of Blackwatter was". They were in County Antrim, Northern Ireland by the mid 1700s. The coat of arms from Scotland is also on tombstones of of Steeles in Corkermain and Ballyruther, Carncastle Parish around 1788. There was a will recorded for Archibald Steele 1742, mention of Hugh Steele's heirs around 1787. Hugh had Hugh, James, John, William. My ancestor, James, left Ireland around 1787, soon after death of his father. Settled first in Chester County, South Carolina; then to Caldwell County, Kentucky; finally to Perry County, Illinois. He helped found Presbyterian churches in each of those places.