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Show ContentsEmslie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Anglo-Saxon name Emslie comes from when the family resided in Yorkshire, where they derived the family name from Helmsley. It was in the West Riding of Yorkshire, but has been lost to modern maps. The place-name was probably derived from the Old English personal name Helm, and ley or leah, which were Old English words for "a clearing in the woods." The translation of the place-name was "clearing belonging to Helm." 1

Early Origins of the Emslie family

The surname Emslie was first found in Yorkshire at Helmsley, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the wapentake of Ryedale. The town dates back to the time of Richard I. 2 The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the town as Elmeslac. 3 Helmsley Castle (also known anciently as Hamlake) is a medieval castle originally constructed in wood around 1120 by Walter l'Espec (died 1153.)

In Scotland, many of the family originated in Aberdeenshire where the first record was that of William de Elmysley in 1333. 4 Later, Thomas Elmyslie was burgess in Aberdeenshire in 1498 and William Elmislie was reidare at Rutbven in 1574. 5

Early History of the Emslie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Emslie research. Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1492, 1524, 1567, 1599, 1600, 1686, 1715, 1736, 1738, 1745, 1762, 1774, 1796, 1801, 1802, 1805 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Emslie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Emslie Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Emslie include Elmslie, Elmsley, Emsley, Elmesley, Helmsley, Emesley, Emesly, Ernele and many more.

Early Notables of the Emslie family

Notables of the family at this time include John Elmsley (1762-1805), English-born, Chief Justice of Upper Canada (1796-1802) and later of Lower Canada (1802-1805.)Peter Elmsley (1774-1825), was an English classical scholar...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Emslie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Emslie migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Emslie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • J. J. Emslie, who settled in San Francisco in 1853
Emslie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Emslie, aged 16, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 6
  • Alexander Emslie, aged 40, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Aquitania" from Southampton, England 6
  • John Emslie, originally from Liverpool, England, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Lapland" from Antwerp, Belgium 6
  • Agnes Emslie, aged 24, originally from Greenock, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 6
  • Norman Emslie, aged 2, originally from Greenock, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Emslie (post 1700) +

  • Alfred Edward Emslie (1848-1918), English genre and portrait painter, and photographer
  • John Philipps Emslie (1839-1913), British topographical artist and folklorist, original member of The Folklore Society
  • George Nigel Hannington Emslie (b. 1947), Lord Emslie, Scottish retired judge of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, son of George Emslie, Baron Emslie
  • Robert Daniel Emslie (1859-1943), Canadian Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1883 to 1885, inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986
  • Peter Emslie, Canadian professional illustrator, who has illustrated over 50 books for Disney licensees
  • Derek Robert Alexander Emslie QC (b. 1949), Lord Kingarth, Scottish judge of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, sitting in the High Court of Justiciary and the Inner House of the Court of Session, younger brother of George Emslie, Lord Emslie
  • Paul Stephen Emslie (b. 1988), Scottish footballer who currently plays for Cove Rangers
  • George Carlyle Emslie PC, MBE (1919-2002), Baron Emslie, Scottish jurist, Lord Justice General (1972-1989)

The Emslie 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: Prenez garde
Motto Translation: Take care.
  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. 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)
  6. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
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