| ![Show Contents]() Epirnethay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland Epirnethay is a name whose ancestors lived among the Picts, a tribe in ancient Scotland. The Epirnethay family lived at the place named Abernethy in southeastern Perthshire. The place name is of Pictish origin, meaning "mouth of the river Nethy." 1 Early Origins of the Epirnethay familyThe surname Epirnethay was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland at Abernethy, a parish that " derives its name from Aber, signifying in Gaelic, in conjunction with Nethy, the 'termination of Nethy' which is descriptive of the situation of the church, near the entrance of that river into the Spey." 1 The Abernethy family appear in ancient records as lay abbots of the Culdee Monastery of Abernethy in Strathearn in the 12th century. "This would seem to show that they were descended from original native stock and not of Saxon or Norman origin. The first of the Abernethys on record is Hugh, who appears to have died about the middle of the twelfth century. His son Orm probably succeeded his father as lay abbot. He appears as witness to a charter by Emulphus or Arnold, bishop of St. Andrews, granted before 1162. He also witnessed a charter of William the Lion. He is the first of the family found bearing the territorial appellation de Abernethy.' It is conjectured that he may have given name to the lands of Ormiston (c. 1160, Ormystone), an estate contiguous to that of Salton, East Lothian, with which his descendants became identified in after days, though Orm was not an uncommon name in those early days. Between 1189 and 1196 King William the Lion granted the church of Abernethy to the Abbey of Arbroath, while about the same time Lawrence, son of Orm de Abirnythy. conveys to the church and monks of Arbroath his whole right "in the advowson of the church of Abernethy". He retained the land and position of dominus' or Lord of Abernethy." 2 Early History of the Epirnethay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epirnethay research. Another 414 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1228, 1264, 1295, 1296, 1320, 1338, 1351, 1358, 1380, 1399, 1407, 1424, 1426, 1465, 1560, 1596, 1609, 1641, 1644, 1680, 1740, 1764, 1765, 1831 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Epirnethay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Epirnethay Spelling VariationsThe appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Epirnethay has been spelled Abernethy, Anernethie, Abernathy, Abernathie, Albirnyth, Abirnethie, Abernettie and many more. Early Notables of the Epirnethay familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was John Abernethy (1764-1831), an eminent surgeon, "born in London 3 April 1764, the son of John Abernethy, a London merchant belonging to an Irish family of Scotch extraction, whose father and grandfather, both of the same name, were Irish nonconformist divines, the second in descent especially...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Epirnethay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Epirnethay family to Ireland
Some of the Epirnethay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 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 Epirnethay familyThe expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Epirnethay: John Abernathy who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767; William and Anne Abernathy settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850; Robert Abernethy arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1871..
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: In Christo salus
Motto Translation: Salvation is in Christ.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- 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)
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