Erwins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Erwins

What does the name Erwins mean?

There was a native Irish Gaelic name Ó hEireamhóin, derived from a personal name of uncertain origins that came to be Erwins, but the great majority of this name in Ireland were planters, who arrived from Scotland in the 17th century. In the case of the latter, their name is ultimately derived from at least two place names in Scotland, the parish of Irving in county Dumfriesshire, or from Irvine in Strathclyde.

Early Origins of the Erwins family

The surname Erwins was first found in Dumfriesshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in that shire. Records first show the Irving Clan in the year 1057 when they and other Border Clans assisted King Malcolm Canmore in defeating MacBeth and the unruly Pictish Clans to the north. Later records show that Robert Irving held lands in this county in 1226. Gilchrist Irving acquired land in Dumfriesshire in 1376. The barony, the Forest of Drum was passed on to William Irvine in the county of Aberdeenshire in 1324 and this was to remain in the Irving hands for several generations. Sir Alexander Irvine of this estate, fell in the battle of Harlaw in 1411.

Early History of the Erwins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Erwins research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1659, 1714, 1740, 1779, 1804 and 1878 are included under the topic Early Erwins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Erwins Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Irvine, Irving, Ervine, Irwin, Erwin and others.

Early Notables of the Erwins family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Erwins Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Erwins family to Ireland

Some of the Erwins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 42 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 Erwins family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Alexander Irvine, who set sail from Londonderry for New York on June 5, 1804, aboard the "Live Oak"; Charles and Robert Irvine, who sailed for Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina from Belfast on Sept 17, 1805 aboard the ".

The Erwins 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: Nemo me impune lacessit
Motto Translation: No one provokes me with impunity.