McAskil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The old Scottish-Dalriadan name McAskil is derived from an ancient Norse warrior name Askell, which means cauldron of the Gods and denoted son of Asgaill.

Early Origins of the McAskil family

The surname McAskil 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 McAskil Clan occupied the district of "Rubha an Dunain, " where the ruins of the family residence may seen to this day.

Early History of the McAskil family

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

McAskil Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McAskil include MacAskill, MacAskill, Gaskell, Gaskill, MacGaskill, MacKaskil, MacKaskill and many more.

Early Notables of the McAskil family

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

Migration of the McAskil family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McAskil were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Kenneth MacAskill, who arrived in North Carolina in 1750.

The McAskil 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.