Elling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

A family in the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland was the first to use the name Elling. They lived in Liddesdale and Teviotdale where the family has a long and distinguished history dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name is actually derived from the Old English personal name Elwald or Aelfwald, but this name is now all but extinct as a personal name.

"A William Aliot came into England with the Conqueror, and the name seems to be connected with Alis and Ellis." 1

Early Origins of the Elling family

The surname Elling was first found in Liddesdale, and Teviotdale. Although originally from Elliott, a village near Forfar, this Clan was persuaded by the Douglases to move south to help defend the border in 1396. There they became one of the most influential clans. Some of the notable personalities were "Archie Fire the Braes," "Hob of the Park," "Little Jock of the Park," "Jock Half Lugs," "Jock A'God's Name," "Gibbe Wi' the Gowden Gartens."

Early History of the Elling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elling research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1450, 1490, 1499, 1522, 1546, 1565, 1592, 1604, 1612, 1632, 1636, 1640, 1665, 1668, 1670, 1685, 1690, 1700, 1714, 1726, 1784, 1789, 1797, 1890 and 1898 are included under the topic Early Elling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elling 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 Elling has been spelled Elliott, Elliot, Eliot, Eliott, Ellegett, Ellegot, Ellecot, Ellacott, Ellacot, Ellgate, Ellett, Ellit and many more.

Early Notables of the Elling family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir John Eliot (1592-1632), an English statesman who was serially imprisoned in the Tower of London by King Charles I for advocating the rights and privileges of Parliament; George Elliott (ca. 1636-1668), English surgeon to the Earl of Teviot's Regiment; John Eliot (c. 1604-1690), English Puritan missionary to the American Indians from Widford, Hertfordshire; John Eliot...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Elling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Elling family to Ireland

Some of the Elling family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elling 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 Elling:

Elling Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Von Elling, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 2
Ignatz Heinr Elling, who landed in America in 1846 2
J H Elling, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 2
John Heinr Elling, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
Anna Mar Elling, aged 2, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Elling migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Elling Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Charles Elling, who settled in Ontario in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Elling (post 1700) +

Toni Elling (1928-2023), born Rosita Sims, also known by her stage name Satin Doll, was an American burlesque dancer, inducted into the Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2016
Kurt Elling (b. 1967), American jazz singer and songwriter. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he began to perform around Chicago, scat singing and improvising his lyrics after University. He has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards, winning Best Vocal Jazz Album for Dedicated to You in 2009 and Secrets Are the Best Stories in 2021

The Elling 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: Fortiter et recte
Motto Translation: Rightly and Boldly

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)