Allston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Allston. It was a name for someone who lived in Cumberland. Alternatively, the name could have been from the Old Norse, Hallstein; from the Flemish, Alsteens and appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Alstan, Alestan; a personal name. 1

In England, the name was derived from "als-ton, the hill by the sea-shore," 2 and as Alston(e) appears as at least five different parishes or townships.

Early Origins of the Allston family

The surname Allston was first found in Cumberland, where they held the manor of Aldanstone. One of the first records of the name was "Jurdan de Aldanston [who] was juror on an inquisition held at Berwick on the lands of Lady Elena de la Zuche lying in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh, 1296." 3

In the same year, Andreu de Haldanstone of Edinburghshire rendered homage to King Edward I after his conquest of Scotland. In the same century, the name had often been shortened to Alston, and in some cases lengthened to Haldanston. The Scottish branch at Craig Head in Lanarkshire and at Westerton in Dumbartonshire also assumed the spelling of Auldston and Alstounes.

Early History of the Allston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Allston research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1667, 1681, 1683, 1684, 1687 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Allston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Allston Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Allston has appeared as Aldanston, Alston, Auldston, Alstounes, Alstone, Alstowne, Aldenston and many more.

Early Notables of the Allston family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Charles Alston (1683-160), a Scottish scientific writer, born at Eddlewood, and educated at Glasgow. "On his father's death...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Allston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Allston family to Ireland

Some of the Allston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Allston family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: Samuel and William Alston settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767; John Alston settled in Barbados in 1685; Rose Alston settled in New England in 1661. In Newfoundland, John Alston an immigrant from Liverpool, was married in St. John's in 1858..

Contemporary Notables of the name Allston (post 1700) +

Aaron Dale Allston (1960-2014), American novelist and game designer, known for his Star Wars novels
Washington Allston (1779-1843), American poet and influential painter
Robert Francis Withers Allston (1801-1864), Governor of South Carolina
Johanna Allston (b. 1986), Australian orienteer
Francis Allston Channing (1841-1926), 1st Baron Channing, American-born British barrister, academic, and Liberal Party politician, Member of Parliament for East Northamptonshire (1885-1910)
Charles Allston Collins (1828-1873), English painter
Allston M. Hatch, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maine State House of Representatives from Hancock County, 1919-20

The Allston 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: Immotus
Motto Translation: Immoveable.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
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)