Abirkeirdow History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of AbirkeirdowWhat does the name Abirkeirdow mean? The ancestors of the Abirkeirdow family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in the old barony of Aberkirder, in Banffshire. Early Origins of the Abirkeirdow familyThe surname Abirkeirdow 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, 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. Early History of the Abirkeirdow familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abirkeirdow research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1468 is included under the topic Early Abirkeirdow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Abirkeirdow Spelling VariationsPrior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Abirkeirdow include Aberkirder, Aberkerdour, Aberchirdour and others. Early Notables of the Abirkeirdow familyMore information is included under the topic Early Abirkeirdow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Abirkeirdow familyThe freedom of the North American colonies was enticing, and many Scots left to make the great crossing. It was a long and hard journey, but its reward was a place where there was more land than people and tolerance was far easier to come by. Many of these people came together to fight for a new nation in the American War of Independence, while others remained loyal to the old order as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of Scots in North America have recovered much of this heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and other such organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important and early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Abirkeirdow: James Aberkirder who settled in Virginia in 1690.
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: Pro rege et patria Motto Translation: For King and country.
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