Armstrong History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Armstrong family. The Armstrong surname is thought to come from the Middle English words "strong" and "arm," and has also been rendered in Gaelic as MacGhillielaidir.

Early Origins of the Armstrong family

The surname Armstrong was first found in Cumberland. This well known Border surname is derived from the Norman surname "Fortenbras" and is an instance of a surname assumed from a personal attribute, strength of arm.

It is said that a Fairbairn, armour bearer to the King of Scotland, lifted the King back onto his horse with one arm, after the King had been unseated in battle. The King then granted him lands in Liddesdale and bestowed on him the name of Armstrong. Although this legend may be true in part, the Armstrongs were of greater nobility than armour bearers.

Perhaps the earliest recorded record is of Adam Armstrong, who was pardoned at Carlisle in 1235 for causing the death of another man. William Armestrangh served on an inquisition in the same city in 1274. 1 Some of the family were found in the burgh of Langholm, Dumfries in early times. "This place derives its name from the level lands, or holms, here, on the river Esk; and appears to have been indebted for its origin to the erection of an ancient border fortress by the powerful family of the Armstrongs, of which fortress the ruins are still in tolerable preservation." 2

Early History of the Armstrong family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Armstrong research. Another 260 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1328, 1342, 1363, 1376, 1529, 1587, 1602, 1610, 1633, 1658, 1662, 1672, 1683, 1684 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Armstrong History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Armstrong Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Armstrong, Armstrang, Armestrang, Harmestrang and many more.

Early Notables of the Armstrong family

Notable among the family at this time was

Armstrong World Ranking

In the United States, the name Armstrong is the 188th most popular surname with an estimated 131,811 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Armstrong is ranked the 101st most popular surname with an estimated 27,703 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Armstrong is the 100th popular surname with an estimated 25,791 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Armstrong as 129th with 3,584 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Armstrong as 121st with 40,772 people. 7

Migration of the Armstrong family to Ireland

Some of the Armstrong family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Armstrong migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Armstrong Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Armstrong Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Armstrong Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Armstrong Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Armstrong migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Armstrong Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Armstrong Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Armstrong migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Armstrong Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Armstrong migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Armstrong Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Armstrong migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Armstrong Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Armstrong (post 1700) +


The Armstrong 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: Invictus maneo
Motto Translation: I remain unvanquished.


Suggested Readings for the name Armstrong +
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