Johnstown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The ancient roots of the Johnstown family are found in the Scottish-English border region where the name was first used by the people of the Boernician tribe. The Johnstown family lived in Dumfries (now part of the region of Galloway), where they held the barony of John's Town.

Early Origins of the Johnstown family

The surname Johnstown was first found in Dumfries where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Johnstown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Johnstown research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1174, 1296, 1732, 1799, 1807 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Johnstown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Johnstown Spelling Variations

Although the name, Johnstown, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Johnston, Johnstone, MacIain (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Johnstown family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir Richard Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone (1732-1807), 1st Baronet of Hackness Hall in the North Riding of the County of York...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Johnstown Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Johnstown family to Ireland

Some of the Johnstown family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Johnstown family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Johnstown family name Johnstown, or who bore a variation of the surname were Archibald Johnston settled in Barbados with his two sons and servants in 1680; George Johnston settled in New England in 1685; Alexander, Arthur, Charles, Cunningham, David, Francis, George, Henry, John, Joseph, Nathan, Robert, Thomas, and William Johnston, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1865.

The Johnstown 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: Nunquam non paratus
Motto Translation: Never unprepared.