Show ContentsEsdaile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Esdaile

What does the name Esdaile mean?

The first people to use the distinguished Esdaile family name were found in the Barony of Estaile, in France.

Early Origins of the Esdaile family

The surname Esdaile was first found in Dumfriesshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Esdaile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Esdaile research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1778 is included under the topic Early Esdaile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Esdaile Spelling Variations

Huguenot surnames were only slightly Anglicized, and they remain to this day a distinct group of surnames in England. Nevertheless, Huguenot surnames have been subject to numerous spelling alterations since the names emerged in France. French surnames have a variety of spelling variations because the French language has changed drastically over the centuries. French was developed from the vernacular Latin of the Roman Empire. It is divided into three historic and linguistic periods: Old French, which developed before the 14th century; Middle French, which was used between the 14th and 16th centuries; and Modern French, which was used after the 16th century and continues to be in use today. In all of these periods, the French language was heavily influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when the barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heaviliy from the Italian language during the Renaissance. Huguenot names have numerous variations. The name may be spelled Esdale, Easdaile, Esdaile, Eskdale, Esdell, Esdel, Estdale and many more.

Early Notables of the Esdaile family

  • Sir James Esdaile

Migration of the Esdaile family

Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Esdaile: Samuel Esdel who arrived in Philadelphia in 1842.


Contemporary Notables of the name Esdaile (post 1700) +

  • William Esdaile (1758-1837), English banker and print collector, fourth son of Sir James Esdaile, knight, of Great Gains, Essex, and Lord Mayor of London 1
  • James Esdaile (1808-1859), Scottish surgeon and mesmerist, eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Esdaile of Perth, born at Montrose 6 Feb. 1808
  • Brigadier Claude Esdaile Prior (b. 1895), Australian Chief Administration Officer Southern Command from 1946 to 1948 2


  1. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
  2. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, August 30) Claude Prior. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Prior/Claude_Esdaile/Australia.html


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