Earskind History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of EarskindWhat does the name Earskind mean? The name Earskind was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Earskind family lived on the Clyde river, near Glasgow. The town name comes from the Gaelic air an sgian, meaning "upon the knife." According to legend, a Scotsman under the command of Malcolm II uttered that phrase after slaying a Danish leader at the Battle of Murthill. Early Origins of the Earskind familyThe surname Earskind was first found in at Erskine in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland. In the year 1225, King Alexander II granted Henry de Erskine, who held the baroncy of Erskine, lands in Renfrewshire. Sir John Ireskin also swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296. Members of the Erskine family appear in many other documents and records dating from throughout the 13th century and afterward. A few of the more interesting records show that Henry de Erskyn bore official witness to the Earl of Lennox's grant of a church to the Abbey of Paisley, and that in 1491, Robert Erschin held the office of Canon of Glasgow. 1 Early History of the Earskind familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Earskind research. Another 235 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1552, 1558, 1572, 1592, 1615, 1616, 1624, 1634, 1662, 1671, 1677, 1685, 1695, 1696, 1715, 1743, 1768 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Earskind History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Earskind Spelling VariationsSurnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Earskind has appeared as Erskine, Arskine, Arskin, Erskin, Irskine, Hirskine, Ersken and many more. Early Notables of the Earskind familyNotable amongst the family at this time was John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine (died 1552), a Scottish nobleman; John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar (died 1572), Regent of Scotland; John Erskine, 2nd Earl of Mar (ca.1558-1634), Scottish politician; William Erskine (died 1685), Master of Charterhouse Hospital; Alexander Erskine of Gogar, (died 1592), Scottish laird and keeper of James VI of Scotland at Stirling Castle; Lady Margaret Erskine (died 1572), a mistress of King James V... Migration of the Earskind family to IrelandSome of the Earskind family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Earskind familyThe North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: William Erskin arrived in New York State in 1803; Thomas Erskine settled in New England in 1773; John, Richard and William Erskine arrived in Philadelphia in 1876..
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: Je pense plus Motto Translation: I think more.
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