Eustace History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  England 


When the Anglo-Normans began to settle in Ireland, they initially ignored the established Gaelic system for developing of patronymic names, and relied on their own traditional naming practices. Eventually, however, the two differing customs drew upon one another to some degree. The Anglo-Normans, unlike their Gaelic neighbors, frequently used nickname surnames. These Anglo-Norman nicknames were frequently of two types: "oath names" and "imperative names." Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer's occupations. The nick name surname Eustace is derived from a nickname for a Iustas, indicating a fruitful person. This perhaps refers to someone with many offspring, or with extraordinary agricultural or material wealth. The Latin form Eustachius was originally derived from a Greek word which means fruitful.

While the majority of the family emigrated to England and then many to Ireland, but not all as we found the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists William Eustachius in Normandy 1198. 1

"The family, settled in Ireland under Henry II., were of Norman descent." 2

Early Origins of the Eustace family

The surname Eustace was first found in Kildare (Irish:Cill Dara), ancient homeland of the Kildare based Uí Dúnlainge (Kings of Leinster), located in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Eustace (died 1215) was Bishop of Ely, ecclesiastic and statesman. "He secured the confidence of Henry I and of Richard I. He became vice-chancellor and keeper of the royal seal, and ultimately chancellor. He was also Dean of Salisbury. At that period all the chief posts in the church of York and its suffragan sees were, as a rule, employed to provide for royal officials. During the suspension of Geoffrey, Archbishop of York, by the Pope, in 1195, Richard appointed Eustace in 1196, Treasurer of York, on the death of Bouchard de Puiset, and in the same year gave him the enormous and lucrative archdeaconry of Richmond." 3

While the majority of the family are from Ireland, we need to take a moment again to explore the English side of the story. Here the family come from "Fitz Eustace et Eustacy, presumably Eustace. Two great Barons of this name are entered in Domesday ; Eustachius Comes, the Count of Boulogne (see Abbeville), and Eustachius Vicecomes, the Sheriff of Huntingdon, whose 'evil deeds,' according to Freeman, 'stand out clearly in the Survey. In the entries of Eustace's own lands, we find English owners, and also the Countess Judith, complaining of his seizures.' This Eustace, who founded a small Priory at Huntingdon, is called by Camden Eustace de Lovetoft, though he does not appear in the pedigree given by Hunter of the Hallamshire Lovetots." 4

Indeed there is more. For the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Adam filius Eustace, Cambridgeshire; Henry filius Ewstace, Huntingdonshire; and Richard Eustase, Cambridgeshire. 5

Early History of the Eustace family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eustace research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1449, 1454, 1480, 1496, 1505, 1535, 1541, 1549, 1578, 1580, 1581, 1585, 1590, 1665 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Eustace History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eustace Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Eustace, Eustice, Eustes, Eustach, Eustis and others.

Early Notables of the Eustace family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was


Eustace migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Eustace Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Eustace Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Eustace Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Eustace migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Eustace migration to Australia +

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

Eustace Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Eustace 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:

Eustace Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Eustace (post 1700) +


The Eustace 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: Cur me persequeris?
Motto Translation: Why persecutest thou me?.
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