Aberkirder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland

Today's generation of the Aberkirder family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Aberkirder lived in the old barony of Aberkirder, in Banffshire.

Early Origins of the Aberkirder family

The surname Aberkirder was first found in Banffshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh), former Scottish county located in the northeasterly Grampian region of Scotland, now of divided between the Council Areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire, in the old barony of Aberkirder, where one of the first of the Clan on record was John Aberkirder who rendered homage to King Edward 1st of England, in 1296. ^[1]

The first Thane of Aberkerder was John de Aberkerder ( fl. 1242.) He is thought to have died c. 1286-1289. His descendant Symon, Thane of Aberberder founded the Chaplainry of St Marnan ("for the souls of his ancestors." ) Symon was succeeded by his daughter daughter, Sybil de Aberkerder, who died prior to 1328. (W. Douglas Simpson, 1931.)

Aberchirder is a village, in the parish of Marnoch, "derived from Sir David Aberkerder, Thane of Aberkerder, who lived about the year 1400, and possessed great property here." ^[2]

Kinnairdy Castle, 10 miles south of Banff, is the fortress seat of the Celtic Thane of Aberkerder. The tower portion was built about 1420 by Sir Walter Innes, whose father had married Janet de Aberkerder, heiress to the thanage. Her father Sir David Aberkerder, Thane of Aberkerder (fl. 1400) held most of the parish or Aberchirder at that time.

Important Dates for the Aberkirder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aberkirder research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 146 and 1468 are included under the topic Early Aberkirder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aberkirder Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Aberkirder has appeared Aberkirder, Aberkerdour, Aberchirdour and others.

Early Notables of the Aberkirder family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Aberkirder family

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Aberkirder: James Aberkirder who settled in Virginia in 1690.

Citations

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. ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.