Easson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Easson lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Easson comes from Aythe where Aythe filius Thome received a charter of the lands of Fornochtis in Strathearn from Robert the Steward (later known as Robert II) around 1360. The next of the line was called Johem ayson iuuene. It can be seen how the surname Ayson is a derivative from "Aythe's son." The spelling and pronunciation changed over time, until it reached the modern form of Easson and its variants.

Early Origins of the Easson family

The surname Easson was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where it was of the most ancient surnames in the region. They were connected with the Toschachs of Glentilt.

Early History of the Easson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Easson research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1360, 1392, 1504 and 1681 are included under the topic Early Easson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Easson Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Easson has been spelled Eason, Easson, Esson, Asson, Assone, Aysoune, Aison and many more.

Early Notables of the Easson family

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

Migration of the Easson family to Ireland

Some of the Easson 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.

Easson migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Easson:

Easson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Easson, who landed in New York in 1789 1

Easson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Easson, who settled in New York State in 1820
Henry Easson, who landed in New York in 1838 1

Easson 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:

Easson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Easson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1865
George Easson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Easson (post 1700) +

Gordon Easson (1928-2009), Scottish footballer
James Ferrier "Jimmy" Easson (1906-1983), Scottish footballer
Frederick Easson (1905-1988), Scottish Episcopal Church bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney
Michael Bernard Easson AM (b. 1955), Australian businessman and former union leader
Shane Easson (b. 1955), Australian politician, former Chief of Staff to NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth
Mary Louise Easson (b. 1955), Australian Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives
Edward Easson, Bishop of Aberdeen

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)