Show ContentsAirth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The current generations of the Airth family have inherited a surname that was first used hundreds of years ago by descendants of the ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Airth family lived in the barony of Airth in Stirlingshire. "The Gaelic term ard, or ardhé, signifying a hill, is supposed to have given the name to this place, in which the eminence called the Hill of Airth is a conspicuous feature, and forms a striking contrast to the level district by which it is surrounded." [1]

Early Origins of the Airth family

The surname Airth was first found in the county of Stirling (Gaelic: Siorrachd Sruighlea), a former county in central Scotland, which now makes up parts of the Council Areas of East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire and Stirling, where they were long settled in the barony of Airth near Larbert, Stirlingshire.

"A not very common surname derived from the barony of Airth near Larbert, Stirlingshire. About the year 1200 William de Arthe witnessed a grant to the Abbey of Cambuskemielh . Richard Derth (i.e. d'Erth) is mentioned as falconer to the king of Scotland in 1212, and Bain notes in his preface that Airth was a famed breeding place of falcons. " [2]

The Earth spelling is an interesting one. We could find only one reference for the name to the far south in the parish of Saltash, Cornwall: "The barton of Earth, which is called a manor in a record of 1620, at which time it is said to have been held under the manor of Bigbury in Devonshire, was in ancient times the property and the seat of the ancient family of Earth, by whose heiress, when the male branches became extinct, it was carried to the Bonds." [3]

Early History of the Airth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Airth research. Another 306 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1248, 1271, 1291, 1296, 1300, 1331, 1364 and 1369 are included under the topic Early Airth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Airth Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Airth has been spelled Airth, Airthe, Arthe, D'Arthe, Dearthe, D'Airth, Dairth(e), Erth, D'Erth and many more.

Early Notables of the Airth family

More information is included under the topic Early Airth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Airth migration to Canada +

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Airth:

Airth Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Airth, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • James Airth, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Ester Airth, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • James Airth, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Jane Airth, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Contemporary Notables of the name Airth (post 1700) +

  • Rennie Airth (b. 1935), South African novelist


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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