Show ContentsEsplin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Esplin is derived from the place named "Esply," in county Northumberland. The place name in turn is derived from the Old English "aespe," meaning "aspen," and "leah," meaning "wood" or "clearing." Thus, the surname indicates "one from Esply" or "one dwelling by the aspen wood."

Early Origins of the Esplin family

The surname Esplin was first found in Northern England, where the village of Esply was once located. It was a common practice during medieval times to refer to a new resident of a city by the name of his hometown; thus, it is likely that the progenitor of the name Esplin was a native of Esply who had settled in another city.

Early History of the Esplin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Esplin research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1564, 1678, 1785, 1838 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Esplin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Esplin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Espley, Esply, Espey, Espy, Esplin and others.

Early Notables of the Esplin family

Notable amongst bearers of this family name during their early history was Samuel Espy (d. 1838), who served the Continental Army as a militia officer during the American Revolution, and James Espy (1785-1860)...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Esplin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Esplin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Esplin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Esplin, aged 24, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 1
  • Williamina Esplin, aged 30, originally from Arbroath, Scotland, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 1
  • Magdalene Esplin, aged 38, originally from Abroath, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 1
  • Catherine Esplin, aged 56, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Esplin (post 1700) +

  • Ronald Kent "Ron" Esplin (b. 1944), American managing editor of The Joseph Smith Papers project, former director of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History at Brigham Young University
  • Roger M. Esplin, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Arizona, 1992 2
  • Cheryl Asay Esplin (b. 1944), American counselor in the general presidency of the Primary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (2010-2016)
  • Mabel Esplin (1874-1921), English stained glass artist, known for her three mural panels at Christ Church in Spitalfields in the East End of London
  • Lieutenant Christopher J. Esplin Jones, British Royal Navy, member of the Royal Navy Hydrographic Survey Unit (1962–1963), eponym of the Esplin Islands, Antarctica


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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