MacAskell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of MacAskell

What does the name MacAskell mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the MacAskell family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from an ancient Norse warrior name Askell, which means cauldron of the Gods and denoted son of Asgaill.

Early Origins of the MacAskell family

The surname MacAskell was first found in living on the Islands of Skye and of Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. On Skye, ancestors of the MacAskell Clan occupied the district of "Rubha an Dunain, " where the ruins of the family residence may seen to this day.

Early History of the MacAskell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacAskell research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1795 and 1863 are included under the topic Early MacAskell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacAskell Spelling Variations

In various documents MacAskell has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacAskill, MacAskill, Gaskell, Gaskill, MacGaskill, MacKaskil, MacKaskill and many more.

Early Notables of the MacAskell family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacAskell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacAskell migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacAskell or a variant listed above:

MacAskell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John MacAskell, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1773

The MacAskell 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: Spea
Motto Translation: By hope.