The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient
Scotland were the first to use the name Altainstown. The Altainstown family lived in Cumberland.
Early Origins of the Altainstown family
The surname Altainstown 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."
[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) 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 Altainstown family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Altainstown research.
Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1681 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Altainstown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Altainstown Spelling Variations
Medieval Scottish names are rife with
spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Altainstown has been spelled Aldanston, Alston, Auldston, Alstounes, Alstone, Alstowne, Aldenston and many more.
Early Notables of the Altainstown family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Altainstown Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Altainstown family to Ireland
Some of the Altainstown family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 177 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Altainstown family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American
War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through
Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. 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..
The Altainstown 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.