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![Show Contents]() Epirkeirdo History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland England
The annals of Scottish history reveal that Epirkeirdo was first used as a name by ancestors of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Epirkeirdo family lived in the old barony of Aberkirder, in Banffshire. Early Origins of the Epirkeirdo familyThe surname Epirkeirdo was first found in Banffshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh), former Scottish county located in the northeasterly Grampian region of Scotland, now of divided between the Council Areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire, in the old barony of Aberkirder, where one of the first of the Clan on record was John Aberkirder who rendered homage to King Edward 1st of England in 1296. 1 The first Thane of Aberkerder was John de Aberkerder (fl. 1242). He is thought to have died c. 1286-1289. His descendant Symon, Thane of Aberberder founded the Chaplainry of St. Marnan ("for the souls of his ancestors"). Symon was succeeded by his daughter, Sybil de Aberkerder, who died prior to 1328. (W. Douglas Simpson, 1931). Aberchirder is a village, in the parish of Marnoch, "derived from Sir David Aberkerder, Thane of Aberkerder, who lived about the year 1400, and possessed great property here." 2 Kinnairdy Castle, 10 miles south of Banff, is the fortress seat of the Celtic Thane of Aberkerder. The tower portion was built about 1420 by Sir Walter Innes, whose father had married Janet de Aberkerder, heiress to the thanage. Her father Sir David Aberkerder, Thane of Aberkerder (fl.1400) held most of the parish or Aberchirder at that time. Early History of the Epirkeirdo familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epirkeirdo research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1468 is included under the topic Early Epirkeirdo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Epirkeirdo Spelling VariationsBefore the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Epirkeirdo has been spelled Aberkirder, Aberkerdour, Aberchirdour and others. Early Notables of the Epirkeirdo familyMore information is included under the topic Early Epirkeirdo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Epirkeirdo familyIn those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Epirkeirdo: James Aberkirder who settled in Virginia in 1690.
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: Pro rege et patria
Motto Translation: For King and country.
- 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)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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