| ![Show Contents]() Yorkstom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland England The earliest roots of the name Yorkstom are with the Viking settlers of the early Middle Ages; the surname having come from a place named by the Vikings It is a name for someone who lived in the village of Yorkstounis, which was in the parish of Corstorphine, Edinburgh. 1 Early Origins of the Yorkstom familyThe surname Yorkstom 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 Yorkstom familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yorkstom research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1492, 1500, 1508 and 1539 are included under the topic Early Yorkstom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Yorkstom Spelling VariationsStandards against which to judge the accuracy of spellings and translations did not yet exist in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations in names dating from that era, are thus, an extremely common occurrence. Yorkstom has been recorded as Yorston, Yorgston, Yourston, Yourtwon, Yourstown, Yorkton, Yourkton, Yorkson, Yorkston, Yorkstoun, Yorkstown, Yourkston, Yorkstant, Yorkstan, Yourkstan, Yorstan and many more. Early Notables of the Yorkstom familyMore information is included under the topic Early Yorkstom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Yorkstom familyThe New World was far from the oppressive regime of the old country. It was a place where there was more land than people and political and religious freedom were far easier to come by. Many Scots even got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. In recent years, interest in this heritage has been generated by Clan societies and regular highland games in North America. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Yorkstom 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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