Show ContentsErskane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Erskane

What does the name Erskane mean?

Scottish history reveals Erskane was first used as a surname by the Strathclyde-Briton people. It was a name for someone who 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 Erskane family

The surname Erskane 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 Erskane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Erskane 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 Erskane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Erskane Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that rules have developed and the process of spelling according to sound has been abandoned. Scottish names from before that time tend to appear under many different spelling variations. Erskane has been spelled Erskine, Arskine, Arskin, Erskin, Irskine, Hirskine, Ersken and many more.

Early Notables of the Erskane family

Notable 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...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Erskane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Erskane family to Ireland

Some of the Erskane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 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 Erskane family

Unwelcome in their beloved homeland, many Scots sailed for the colonies of North America. There, they found land and freedom, and even the opportunity to make a new nation in the American War of Independence. These Scottish settlers played essential roles in the founding of the United States, and the shaping of contemporary North America. 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 Erskane 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: Je pense plus
Motto Translation: I think more.


  1. 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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