Today's generation of the Aichemen family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the
Picts. The first family to use the name Aichemen lived in
Lanarkshire. But the origins of the Aichemen surname are still unclear. Some suggest that the name came from the Old English
Aecemann, meaning "oak-man." Family lore has it that an officer commanding troops besieging Macbeth in Dunsinan Castle ordered his men to march in attack with branches of oak; the officer then became known as the "oak-man."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)Early Origins of the Aichemen family
The surname Aichemen was first found in the counties of
Fifeshire and
Forfarshire, in
Scotland. It is said that Akeman commanded MacBeth's troops in the siege of Dunsinane Castle and ordered the attack in 1057. One of the earliest records for the name was Alisaundre Akeman who swore an oath of allegiance to
King Edward I in 1296. "The tombs of ten John Aikmans are said to be in Arbroath Abbey."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
Early History of the Aichemen family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aichemen research.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1682 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Aichemen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Aichemen 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. Aichemen has appeared Aikman, Akeman, Aichman, Aykman, Akman, Hekman and others.
Early Notables of the Aichemen family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Aichemen Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Aichemen family to the New World and Oceana
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 Aichemen: Francis Aikman, who came to Virginia in 1669; Patrick Aikman, who came to Boston in 1715; William Aikman, who arrived in Boston in 1718; Ernest Akman who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750.
The Aichemen 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: Sub robore virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue under strength.