Show ContentsCorston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use Corston as a surname were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name someone who lived in Dumfriesshire, where the first mention of the family was of Morris Acarson, Bailiff of the Isle of Man, appointed by King Alexander I of Scotland about 1100 A.D. This is the same person as Mauritius Okarefair. 1

The family "was provosts of Dumfries for several generations and were also prominent in local affairs of Kirkcudbrightshire. No value need be attached to the tradition of descent from an Italian named Corsini reputed to have been brought to Scotland by Dervorgilla to superintend the building of Sweetheart Abbey. Everything points to native origin. " 1

Early Origins of the Corston family

The surname Corston was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they are believed to be descended from the Irish Clan MacCarrghama of the Hy Fiachra and arrived on the south west Scottish coast about the 9th century.

Sir Robert de Acarson (or de Carsan), a cleric witnessed a charter of Holm Cultram in 1276 and it may be the same Robert de Carsan who rendered homage to Edward I in 1296. 1

"Laughlan, son of Laughlan de Carsan and Dovenald, son of Thomas de Carsan were among some Galloway hostages lodged in Carlisle. In 1305 John Acarson and others took the castle of Dumfries from its garrison. Morice Acrassane and Gilbert were jurors on an inquisition at Drumfrese, 1367." 1

Early History of the Corston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corston research. Another 270 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1296, 1305, 1373, 1374, 1377, 1394, 1445, 1453, 1503, 1531, 1665, 1772, 1776, 1780, 1799, 1808, 1843, 1844, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Corston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corston Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Corston has been spelled Carson, Carsen and others.

Early Notables of the Corston family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Aglionby Ross Carson (1780-1850), Scottish classical scholar and rector of the high school of Edinburgh, was born at Holywood, Dumfriesshire. Alexander Carson (1776-1844), was an Irish Baptist minister, born near Stewartstown, co. Tyrone, in 1776. His parents were Scottish Calvinistic Presbyterians, settled in Ireland, who consecrated their son to the ministry at an early age.James Carson (1772-1843), was a Scottish physician who was originally educated for the ministry, but his inclination leading him to the study of physic, he attended medical classes at Edinburgh, and graduated doctor of medicine there in the autumn...
Another 160 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Corston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Corston family to Ireland

Some of the Corston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 129 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Corston migration to Australia +

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

Corston Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William B. Corston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asiatic" in 1849 2
  • John Corston, aged 35, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Marion" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Corston (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Alexander "Tom" Corston (1949-2022), Canadian Anglican bishop, 9th Bishop of Moosonee from 2010 to 2013


The Corston 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: Ne m'oubliez
Motto Translation: Don't forget me.


  1. 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)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The ASIATIC 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Asiatic.htm
  3. South Australian Register Tuesday 12th December 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Marion 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marion1854.shtml


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