Show ContentsAerth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Aerth family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Aerth lived in the barony of Airth in Stirlingshire. "The Gaelic term ard, or ardhé, signifying a hill, is supposed to have given the name to this place, in which the eminence called the Hill of Airth is a conspicuous feature, and forms a striking contrast to the level district by which it is surrounded." 1

Early Origins of the Aerth family

The surname Aerth was first found in the county of Stirling (Gaelic: Siorrachd Sruighlea), a former county in central Scotland, which now makes up parts of the Council Areas of East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire and Stirling, where they were long settled in the barony of Airth near Larbert, Stirlingshire.

"A not very common surname derived from the barony of Airth near Larbert, Stirlingshire. About the year 1200 William de Arthe witnessed a grant to the Abbey of Cambuskemielh . Richard Derth (i.e. d'Erth) is mentioned as falconer to the king of Scotland in 1212, and Bain notes in his preface that Airth was a famed breeding place of falcons. " 2

The Earth spelling is an interesting one. We could find only one reference for the name to the far south in the parish of Saltash, Cornwall: "The barton of Earth, which is called a manor in a record of 1620, at which time it is said to have been held under the manor of Bigbury in Devonshire, was in ancient times the property and the seat of the ancient family of Earth, by whose heiress, when the male branches became extinct, it was carried to the Bonds." 3

Early History of the Aerth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aerth research. Another 306 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1248, 1271, 1291, 1296, 1300, 1331, 1364 and 1369 are included under the topic Early Aerth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aerth 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. Aerth has appeared Airth, Airthe, Arthe, D'Arthe, Dearthe, D'Airth, Dairth(e), Erth, D'Erth and many more.

Early Notables of the Aerth family

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

Migration of the Aerth 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 Aerth: John Arth who arrived in Philadelphia in 1740.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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