Show ContentsYorgestoom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The chronicles of the Yorgestoom family suggest that their ancestors may have been Viking settlers. Their surname comes from a place name of Norse origins, from when they lived in the village of Yorkstounis, which was in the parish of Corstorphine, Edinburgh. 1

Early Origins of the Yorgestoom family

The surname Yorgestoom was first found in Edinburghshire, a former county, now part of the Midlothian council area, where they held a family seat at Yorkstounis in the parish of Corstophine, from about the 12th century. 1

Early records of the family are very scarce as the first record found was that of "William Yorstoun and James Yorkstoun were burgesses and charter witnesses in Edinburgh, 1484. A family of the same name is early found in Orkney. Robert Yorkstoun is recorded as 'quondam' tacksman of the links of Burray in 1492 and 1502. 'An early connection of the Yorstons with Burray is indicated by the old rental, but they can have been no more than tacksmen there. The evidence of the Uthel book points strongly to Rowsay as their home, and is corroborated by later documents, and by the fact of an early marriage with the Craigies of Brough.'" 1

In England and Wales, Yorton, is a location name in Salop (Shropshire.) 2

Early History of the Yorgestoom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yorgestoom research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1492, 1500, 1508 and 1539 are included under the topic Early Yorgestoom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yorgestoom Spelling Variations

The spellings of Scottish names dating from the medieval era often bear little resemblance to those seen today. They vary enormously because scribes in that time spelled according to their ears. Some spelling variations of the name Yorgestoom include Yorston, Yorgston, Yourston, Yourtwon, Yourstown, Yorkton, Yourkton, Yorkson, Yorkston, Yorkstoun, Yorkstown, Yourkston, Yorkstant, Yorkstan, Yourkstan, Yorstan and many more.

Early Notables of the Yorgestoom family

More information is included under the topic Early Yorgestoom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Yorgestoom family

The farms of Scottish settlers soon dotted the east coast of the colonies that would become the nations of the United States and Canada. Many of those migrants and their children went on to play important roles in the founding the great nations of North America. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Scottish name Yorgestoom or a variant listed above, including: Archibald Yorston arrived in New Castle County Delaware in 1741; he moved on to Pennsylvania in 1844.



The Yorgestoom 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: Mens conscia recti
Motto Translation: A mind conscious of integrity


  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)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.


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