Show ContentsElliott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Elliott family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Elliott lived in Liddesdale and Teviotdale where the family has a long and distinguished history dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name is actually derived from the Old English personal name Elwald or Aelfwald, but this name is now all but extinct as a personal name.

"A William Aliot came into England with the Conqueror, and the name seems to be connected with Alis and Ellis." 1

Early Origins of the Elliott family

The surname Elliott was first found in Liddesdale, and Teviotdale. Although originally from Elliott, a village near Forfar, this Clan was persuaded by the Douglases to move south to help defend the border in 1396. There they became one of the most influential clans. Some of the notable personalities were "Archie Fire the Braes," "Hob of the Park," "Little Jock of the Park," "Jock Half Lugs," "Jock A'God's Name," "Gibbe Wi' the Gowden Gartens."

Early History of the Elliott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elliott research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1450, 1490, 1499, 1522, 1546, 1565, 1592, 1604, 1612, 1632, 1636, 1640, 1665, 1668, 1670, 1685, 1690, 1700, 1714, 1726, 1784, 1789, 1797, 1890 and 1898 are included under the topic Early Elliott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elliott Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Elliott has appeared Elliott, Elliot, Eliot, Eliott, Ellegett, Ellegot, Ellecot, Ellacott, Ellacot, Ellgate, Ellett, Ellit and many more.

Early Notables of the Elliott family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

  • George Elliott (ca. 1636-1668), English surgeon to the Earl of Teviot's Regiment
  • Major General Roger Elliott (ca. 1665-1714), one of the earliest British Governors of Gibraltar, Defender of Gibraltar, Governor General of India, Earl of Minto

Elliott World Ranking

In the United States, the name Elliott is the 193rd most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Elliott is ranked the 150th most popular surname with an estimated 22,470 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Elliott is the 83rd popular surname with an estimated 346 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Elliott as 112nd with 23,796 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Elliott as 148th with 3,333 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Elliott as 108th with 43,986 people. 7

Migration of the Elliott family to Ireland

Some of the Elliott family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Elliott migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Elliott:

Elliott Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Elliott, who landed in Maryland in 1614 8
  • John Elliott, who landed in Virginia in 1623 8
  • William Elliott, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 8
  • Jo Elliott, aged 36, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 8
  • Lyddia Elliott, (Eliot), aged 4, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Elliott Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Elliott, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 8
  • Gilbert Elliott, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 8
  • Thomas Elliott, who arrived in Virginia in 1712 8
  • Danl Elliott, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 8
  • Agnes Elliott, who arrived in South Carolina in 1772 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Elliott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Elliott, aged 14, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 8
  • Jean Elliott, aged 18, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 8
  • Archd Elliott, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 8
  • Severd Elliott, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1804 8
  • Robert Elliott, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Elliott Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Lavinia Elliott, (b. 1862), aged 43, Cornish dressmaker travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Dubuque, Kansas, USA 9

Elliott migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Elliott Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Elliott, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. David Elliott U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10
  • Mr. Jacob Elliott Jr., U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10
  • Cpl. John  Elliott U.E. born in Township of Dover, New York, USA from Township of Dover, New York, USA who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c. 1784 he enlisted in 1778 served in 6th Company Butler's Rangers he died in 1795 10
Elliott Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Elias Elliott, who landed in Canada in 1832
  • Elizabeth Elliott, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ugoni" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Hannah Elliott, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mr. Andrew Elliott, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Pursuit" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle on 6th June 1847 11
  • Mr. James Elliott, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Ganges" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Elliott migration to Australia +

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

Elliott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Elliott, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. James Elliott, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. William Elliott, (b. 1770), aged 46, English accountant who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 13
  • Mr. John Elliott, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. William Elliott, English labourer who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Elliott migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Elliott Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Edward Elliott, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Peter Elliott, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
  • James Elliott, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842
  • Elizabeth Jane Elliott, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Sarah Elliott, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Elliott (post 1700) +

  • Missy Elliott (b. 1971), stage name of Melissa Arnette Elliott, an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Portsmouth, Virginia
  • Grandpa Elliott (1944-2022), born Elliot Small, also known as Uncle Remus, American veteran street-musician in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States who played the harmonica, sang, a street icon in New Orleans
  • Mark Elliott (1939-2021), born John Harrison Frick Jr., an American voice-over artist best known as the primary voice for Disney productions from 1983 to 2008
  • Henry Wood Elliott (b. 1946), American watercolor painter, author, and environmentalist
  • Chalmers William "Bump" Elliott (1925-2019), American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989
  • Robert Brackett "Bob" Elliott (1923-2016), American actor and comedian, one-half of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray
  • Daisy L. Elliott (1916-2015), also known as Daisy Elizabeth Lenoir, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 4th District, 1961-62; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1963-78, 1981-82
  • Patricia Elliott (1938-2015), American Tony award and Soap Opera Digest Award nominated actress
  • Jack Elliott (1927-2001), American Academy Award and Emmy Award nominated television and film composer, conductor, music arranger, and television producer
  • Matthew Elliott (1739-1814), British agent in the American Revolution and War of 1812
  • ... (Another 200 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Ellen Elliott (1888-1914), née Donald Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lachute, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
  • Master Frederick Elliott (1913-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lachute, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
  • Master George Elliott (1910-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lachute, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
  • Mr. Ernest Elliott (1888-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lachute, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
Flight 191
  • Rev. E Elliott (d. 1979), American passenger from USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 17
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. John Elliott (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 18
  • Mr. James Elliott (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 18
Halifax Explosion
  • Master Gerald Arthur  Elliott (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
  • Mrs. Catherine  Elliott (1850-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
  • Miss Vera   Elliott (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
  • Mr. John W.  Elliott (1867-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
  • Mrs. Mary  Elliott (1873-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
  • ... (Another 8 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Cornwall
  • Henry Samuel Elliott (d. 1942), British Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Cyril Frederick Elliott (d. 1945), British Engine Room Artificer 4th Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 21
HMS Hood
  • Mr. John G Elliott (b. 1905), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Jarrow, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Frederick Elliott, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. Alfred V Elliott, British sailor, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. David Mons Lorrain Elliott (1915-1943), British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, died whilst a Prisoner of War in 1943 24
HMS Royal Oak
  • Robert Elliott (1913-1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 25
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Arthur Graham Elliott, English Able-Bodied Seaman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26
  • Mr. James Elliott, English Fireman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Everett Edward Elliott (d. 1912), aged 24, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 27
St. Francis Dam
  • Mr. Maurice R. Elliott, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Lawrence E. Elliott, American Machinist's Mate First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 28
USS Indianapolis
  • Kenneth Albert Elliott, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 29
  • Harry William Elliott, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 29
Victoria steamboat disaster
Vimy Ridge
  • Stanley Clarence Elliott (1887-1917), Canadian labourer, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge May 1917


The Elliott 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: Fortiter et recte
Motto Translation: Rightly and Boldly


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  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
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  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
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  11. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 27)
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  16. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  17. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
  18. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
  19. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  20. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  21. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
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  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  24. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  25. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
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  28. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
  29. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew


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