Show ContentsEskridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Eskridge dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in a clearing surrounded by oak trees. This Yorkshire surname is derived from the Old English words ac, which means oak, and rod, which means clearing. Collectively, the name literally means "dweller at the oak clearing."[1] [2]

Early Origins of the Eskridge family

The surname Eskridge was first found in the West, East and North Ridings of the county of Yorkshire. "A well-known Yorkshire surname." [3]

One of the first records of the family was Richard de Akerode who was listed in the Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Society.) [3]

Hugo Aikroide was listed as a Freeman of York in 1612 as was Henry Ackroyd in 1645, and Henry Akeroyd in 1648. [2]

A search through the Register of the University of Oxford revealed: John Acroyd, Yorkshire, 1612; Matthew Aickroid, Yorkshire, 1618; and Samuel Akeroyd, Yorkshire, 1619-1620.

The Eskrigge and Eskridge variants were found in the parish of Eskrigg in Lancashire.

Early History of the Eskridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eskridge research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1569, 1624, 1685, 1687, 1688, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1696 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Eskridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eskridge Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Eskridge have been found, including Ackroyd, Akroyd, Ackeroyd, Achroyd, Aykroyd, Akrood, Eckroyd, Ecroyd, Akrode, Eckridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Eskridge family

Notables of the family at this time include Samuel Akeroyde, a native of Yorkshire who was a very popular and prolific composer of songs in the latter part of the 17th century. Many of his compositions are contained in the following collections of the period: 'D'Urfey's...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eskridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eskridge Ranking

In the United States, the name Eskridge is the 4,826th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [4]


United States Eskridge migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Eskridge, or a variant listed above:

Eskridge Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • William P. Eskridge, aged 45, who immigrated to the United States, in 1903
  • Joshua Eskridge, aged 51, who landed in America, in 1908
  • Mary Eskridge, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1920
  • Talmadge Eskridge, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name Eskridge (post 1700) +

  • Mrs. John R. Eskridge, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Delaware, 1929 [5]
  • John R. Eskridge, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1900 [5]
  • Charles V. Eskridge, American Republican politician, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, 1869-71 [5]
  • Charles A. Eskridge, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 1916 [5]
  • De'Leon Marquise Eskridge (b. 1989), American NFL football running back
  • Robert Lee Eskridge (1891-1975), American genre painter, muralist and illustrator
  • Zack Eskridge (b. 1988), American NFL and CFL quarterback
  • William N. Eskridge Jr. (b. 1951), American John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale Law School
  • Kelley Eskridge (b. 1960), American writer of fiction and non-fiction
  • Eskridge H. Morton, American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Webster County, 1903-04, 1937-38; Member of West Virginia State Senate 10th District, 1915-22 [6]


The Eskridge 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: In veritate victoria
Motto Translation: Victory in Truth.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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