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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origin Displayed: Scottish

Where did the Scottish Finlayson family come from? What is the Scottish coat of arms/family crest? When did the Finlayson family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The saga of the Finlayson family name begins among the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Finlayson name is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnlaigh which means 'son of Finlay' or which is often Anglicized to fair hero.

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Finlayson has appeared Finlayson, Finleyson, Finlaison, Finlawson, Fynlawsone, Findlayson, Findleyson, Finlason, Findlaysoun, Finlaisone, Fynloson, McIanley, MacIanlay, MacKinlay, MacEracher, McEracher and many more.

First found in Stirlingshire, where traditionally this clan is descended from Finlay Mor Farquharson, in turn descended from the ancient 11th century Thanes of Fife, through Shaw MacDuff, the first progenitor of the Farquharsons of the Braes of Mar. The descendants of Finlay Mor, a giant of a man, a man of daring and unequalled courage, settled in the lowlands with the name MacIanla, though, strangely, they had previously been called the Clan Eracher. It is claimed that the MacErachers of Perth also are descended from Finlay Mor. In the lowlands they became the Clan MacIanla. This was in turn anglicized to Finlayson, having many spellings, but approximately the same sound. The first Finlay married the heiress of the Garden, 'of that Ilk', and acquired those estates.

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Finlayson: George Finlayson, who settled in Maryland in 1774; John, Lewis and Thomas Finlayson all arrived in Pennsylvania between 1813 and 1832; John Finlason settled in Virginia in 1735. John McKeracher was on record in Montreal in 1821.

Motto Translated: Given by God.

For more information on the last name Finlayson, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name Finlayson
  • Alex Finlayson, an American playwright
  • Dr. Paul Finlayson, an American engineer in the Outer Planets Mission Analysis Group at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena
  • James Finlayson (1887-1953), was a Scottish born comedic actor, best known for his roles in Laurel & Hardy films
  • James Finlayson (1772-1852), Scottish self-trained engineer, founder of Finlayson & Compagnie
  • Sir Robert Gordon Finlayson (1881-1956), was a British General, who received the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)
  • Christopher Finlayson (b. 1956), is a New Zealand lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Finlayson family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Finlayson coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Finlayson genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Finlayson Family Crest Products


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Family Crest for the name Finlayson.
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The Finlayson Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Finlayson Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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