| ![Show Contents]() Banners History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BannersWhat does the name Banners mean? The name Banners began among the descendants of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. It was a name for a person who was the standard bearer for the king. While the origin of this name is still somewhat in dispute, most references agree that the name is derived from the Old English word banere and the word man. According to family lore, during the reign of Malcolm III, the King went north to fight rebellious subjects, and at the Spey he saw the bannerman shrink (fall.) The King pulled the banner from him and gave it to Sir Alexander Carron, the ancestor of the Viscounts and Earls of Dundee, father of the Carron whose name was changed to Scrymgour, and the King at once created him knight. The crest now is a demi-man in armour, his right hand grasping a sword, and the motto "Pro Patria" (for my country.) At that time the former banner-bearer and his successive were ordained to carry in their crest a banner and were standard-bearers to the Scottish kings. 1 Early Origins of the Banners familyThe surname Banners was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat at Clyntreys. The first of the name on record is Dovinaldus (Donald) Bannerman, King's Physician to King David II of Scotland in the year 1368, although traditionally the family claim that their progenitor was Standard Bearer to Malcolm Canmore in Scotland about the year 1070. 2 Early History of the Banners familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Banners research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1382, 1400, 1467, 1500 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Banners History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Banners Spelling VariationsTranslation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Banners has appeared Bannerman, Bannaman, Bannermane, Banerman, Banermain, Bannermain and many more. Early Notables of the Banners familyMore information is included under the topic Early Banners Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Banners migration to the United States | + |
Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Banners name:
Banners Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Banners, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
- Ellen Banners, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1854 3
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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country.
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. 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)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
 |
