| ![Show Contents]() Yorgestum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland England In the Middle Ages, Viking immigrants settled the shores of Scotland and named many places. The Yorgestum name was then created from one of these place names. They lived in the village of Yorkstounis, which was in the parish of Corstorphine, Edinburgh. 1 Early Origins of the Yorgestum familyThe surname Yorgestum 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 Yorgestum familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yorgestum research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1492, 1500, 1508 and 1539 are included under the topic Early Yorgestum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Yorgestum Spelling VariationsIntuition and sound were the primary sources medieval scribes used to judge appropriate spellings and translations for names. The spelling of a name thus varied according to who was doing the recording. The different spelling variations of Yorgestum include Yorston, Yorgston, Yourston, Yourtwon, Yourstown, Yorkton, Yourkton, Yorkson, Yorkston, Yorkstoun, Yorkstown, Yourkston, Yorkstant, Yorkstan, Yourkstan, Yorstan and many more. Early Notables of the Yorgestum familyMore information is included under the topic Early Yorgestum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Yorgestum familyIn their new home, Scots found land and opportunity, and some even fought for their new freedom in the American War of Independence. Some, who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, the ancestors of both of these groups have begun recovering their illustrious national heritage through Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Yorgestum name: Archibald Yorston arrived in New Castle County Delaware in 1741; he moved on to Pennsylvania in 1844.
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
- 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)
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
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