Show ContentsAitcheson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

An ancient Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Aitcheson. They lived in Berwickshire.

Early Origins of the Aitcheson family

The surname Aitcheson was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where one of the first records of the name was Johannes filius Ade was a "custumar" of North Berwick in 1384 and later appears as John Atkynsoun in 1387. [1]

Early History of the Aitcheson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aitcheson research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1408, 1552, 1558, 1563, 1580, 1611, 1621, 1628, 1629, 1634, 1638, 1655, 1657, 1685, 1688, 1695, 1699, 1701, 1727, 1728, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Aitcheson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aitcheson Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Aitcheson has been spelled Acheson, Acherson, Atcherson, Aitcheson, Aitchison, Atcheson, Achison and many more.

Early Notables of the Aitcheson family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aitcheson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Aitcheson family to Ireland

Some of the Aitcheson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 183 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Aitcheson migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Aitcheson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Aitcheson who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866

Australia Aitcheson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Aitcheson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • J. Aitcheson, a weaver, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Robert Aitcheson, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Agincourt" [2]
  • Jane Aitcheson, aged 21, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Agincourt" in 1850 [2]
  • Jane Aitcheson, aged 1, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Agincourt" in 1850 [2]

New Zealand Aitcheson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Aitcheson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Aitcheson, aged 34, a brickmaker, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Sarah Aitcheson, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Jane Aitcheson, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • John Aitcheson, aged 1, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Aitcheson (post 1700) +

  • William Aitcheson Haswell (1854-1925), Scottish-born, Australian zoologist specializing in crustaceans


The Aitcheson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ane chast arbor
Motto Translation: One pure tree.


  1. 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)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The AGINCOURT 1850. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Agincourt.htm


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