Show ContentsYourkstant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The place name, from which the Yourkstant family take their surname arrived in Scotland with the Viking settlers. The first to use Yourkstant as a name no doubt lived in the village of Yorkstounis, which was in the parish of Corstorphine, Edinburgh. [1]

Early Origins of the Yourkstant family

The surname Yourkstant 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 Yourkstant family

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

Yourkstant Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Yourkstant has been spelled Yorston, Yorgston, Yourston, Yourtwon, Yourstown, Yorkton, Yourkton, Yorkson, Yorkston, Yorkstoun, Yorkstown, Yourkston, Yorkstant, Yorkstan, Yourkstan, Yorstan and many more.

Early Notables of the Yourkstant family

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

Migration of the Yourkstant family

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Yourkstant to North America: Archibald Yorston arrived in New Castle County Delaware in 1741; he moved on to Pennsylvania in 1844.



The Yourkstant 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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