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![Show Contents]() Ecclestoe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Ecclestoe is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in a region named Eccleston in Lancashire and Chester. The surname Ecclestoe is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came. Early Origins of the Ecclestoe familyThe surname Ecclestoe was first found in Lancashire at Eccleston, a village and civil parish of the Borough of Chorley. This place gave name to a family as early as the reign of Richard I. Alan de Eccleston was listed as a tenant of Edward III and his pedigree ascends to the time of Henry III. This township is probably the Eglestun of Domesday Book of 1086. 1 Another early record of the surname was Thomas of Eccleston (fl. 1250), a thirteenth century English Franciscan chronicler, best known for his "De Adventu Fratrum Minorum in Angliam." It tells the story of when Franciscan friars first came to England in 1224 to about 1258. He was known as "Brother Thomas" and was later given the title "of Eccleston." 2 Early History of the Ecclestoe familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ecclestoe research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1094, 1605, 1610, 1611, 1623, 1659, 1688, 1697, 1712 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Ecclestoe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ecclestoe Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ecclestoe has been spelled many different ways, including Eccleston, Ecclestone, Eccleton and others. Early Notables of the Ecclestoe familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Thomas Eccleston (1659-1743), an English Jesuit of Eccleston Hall, Lancashire. He was the only son of Henry Eccleston, esq., of Eccleston Hall, Lancashire. "During the wars in Ireland, after the revolution of 1688, he held a captain's commission in King James's army. Being engaged in a duel which proved fatal to his antagonist, he was seized with remorse and determined to enter the religious state. Accordingly he returned to Rome, entered the jesuit novitiate of Sant' Andrea...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ecclestoe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Ecclestoe family to Ireland
Some of the Ecclestoe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ecclestoe familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ecclestoes to arrive in North America: Elizabeth Eccleston who settled in New England in 1706; E. Eccleston arrived in New York in 1823; James and Henry Eccleston arrived in Philadelphia in 1860..
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: Spero meliora
Motto Translation: I hope for better things.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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England
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