Show ContentsAyrth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Ayrth lived among the ancient Scottish people called the Picts. The Ayrth 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 Ayrth family

The surname Ayrth 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 Ayrth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ayrth 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 Ayrth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ayrth Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Ayrth has appeared Airth, Airthe, Arthe, D'Arthe, Dearthe, D'Airth, Dairth(e), Erth, D'Erth and many more.

Early Notables of the Ayrth family

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

Migration of the Ayrth family

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Ayrth: John Arth who arrived in Philadelphia in 1740.



  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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