Show ContentsOkinsoun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Okinsoun was first used in the Scottish/English Borderlands by an ancient Scottish people called the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name for someone who lived in Berwickshire.

Early Origins of the Okinsoun family

The surname Okinsoun was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where one of the first records of the name was Johannes filius Ade was a "custumar" of North Berwick in 1384 and later appears as John Atkynsoun in 1387. 1

Early History of the Okinsoun family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Okinsoun research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1408, 1552, 1558, 1563, 1580, 1611, 1621, 1628, 1629, 1634, 1638, 1655, 1657, 1685, 1688, 1695, 1699, 1701, 1727, 1728, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Okinsoun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Okinsoun Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Okinsoun has been spelled Acheson, Acherson, Atcherson, Aitcheson, Aitchison, Atcheson, Achison and many more.

Early Notables of the Okinsoun family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Okinsoun Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Okinsoun family to Ireland

Some of the Okinsoun family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 183 words (13 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 Okinsoun family

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: William Aitchison who settled in Colchester county, Nova Scotia in 1875; Andrew Aitchison who settled in Niagara, Lincoln county Ontario in 1852; Thomas Acheson who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1798.



The Okinsoun 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: Ane chast arbor
Motto Translation: One pure tree.


  1. 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)


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