Show ContentsAlshire History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The many centuries old Dalriadan-Scottish name Alshire comes from the given name Alexander, which in turn was originally derived from the Greek name, which means "defender of men." In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name, which she had heard in the Hungarian Court where she was raised, into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander. The popularity of the name Alexander was ensured by the fact that it was borne by three Scottish kings, the first being Margaret's son who succeeded to the throne of Scotland following the death of Malcolm III. The name Elshener is a local or dialectal pronunciation of the name Alexander.

Early Origins of the Alshire family

The surname Alshire was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Alshire family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alshire research. Another 455 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1295, 1431, 1475, 1493, 1555, 1561, 1574, 1605 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Alshire History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alshire Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Alshire has been spelled Elshener, Elshenar, Elshender, Alshioner, Alesander, Alexander, Aleschunder, Elchyneur, Elzenour, Alshunder, Alshenour, Elshenour, Alexshunder, Alschunder, Alshenour, Alschunder, Alshonder, Alschoner, Alzenhar, Alzenor, Aschenour, Elchuner, Elshinar, Alshonner, Alshinor, Alshonar, Elsher, Elsender, Elshar and many more.

Early Notables of the Alshire family

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

Ireland Migration of the Alshire family to Ireland

Some of the Alshire family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alshire family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Alshire family emigrate to North America: Nicholas Elshie who settled in Connecticut in 1640; Duncan Alexshunder landed in America in 1685; James Eleshundar settled in Virginia in 1670; and Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who colonized Nova Scotia, in Antigonish, Pictou, the Carolinas, Virginia and Upper Canada. Richard H. Alexander, traveled from Ontario with the ".



The Alshire 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


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