Gairston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

When the ancestors of the Gairston family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Garston, Lancashire, a hamlet on the river Mersey. Here they held the title of Lords of the Manor of Garston, and from it took their name. There are several other locations so named in England and any individual case of the name may be a reference to the bearer's residence in one of these other places. The name of Garston, Lancashire derives from the Old English elements great, which means large or imposing, and stan, which means stone. Other places named Garston generally derive from the Old English elements goers or grass, which means grass, and tun, which means enclosure or settlement. This is a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

Early Origins of the Gairston family

The surname Gairston was first found in Lancashire where they were Lords of the manor of Garston, a small hamlet on the Mersey. "At a very early period this place gave name to a local family, of whom Adam de Gerstan died in 1265." 1

However, the first record was of Matthew de Garston who held land at Garston and the fourth part of the fishing on the River Mersey in 1130. Matthew was succeeded by Henry whose daughter Albrera gave to Henry of Walton one bovate of land. Gilbert de Garston also gave a bovate of land in Garston in 1199 to Roger, son of Osbertus of Aynosdale. Involved in this transaction was John, Earl of Morton, who confirmed this grant when he ascended the throne, King John.

Early History of the Gairston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gairston research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1640 and 1641 are included under the topic Early Gairston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gairston Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Gairston has been recorded under many different variations, including Garstone, Garston, Garstin, Garstine and others.

Early Notables of the Gairston family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gairston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gairston family to Ireland

Some of the Gairston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gairston family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Gairstons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Joseph Garston who settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1753.