The ancient Scottish name Ealdinston was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in Cumberland.
Early Origins of the Ealdinston family
The surname Ealdinston 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 Ealdinston family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ealdinston research.
Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1681 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Ealdinston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Ealdinston Spelling Variations
The many
spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Ealdinston has been spelled Aldanston, Alston, Auldston, Alstounes, Alstone, Alstowne, Aldenston and many more.
Early Notables of the Ealdinston family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Ealdinston Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ealdinston family to Ireland
Some of the Ealdinston 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 Ealdinston family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in
Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through
Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: 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 Ealdinston 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.