Show ContentsEshleman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Eshleman has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who was of grace or favorable protection. The surname Eshleman originally derived from the Old English word Eastmund which referred to grace. [1]

The surname Eshleman belongs to a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal.

Early Origins of the Eshleman family

The surname Eshleman was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Estmunt was listed in Suffolk. [2] Over a century later, Ricardus filius Estmund was listed in the Pipe Rills for Essex in 1195, and later again, Esmond (surname only) was listed 1313-14. Stephen Estmund was listed in the Assize Rolls of Berkshire in 1227 and Geoffrey Astmund was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1275. John Eastmunde was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1277 and Alan Esmund was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285. [1]

Many of the family were found in Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Geoffrey Estmund; Cecil Estmond; Hugh Estmund; and John Estmond as all holding lands there at that time. [3]

In Somerset, John Estmond was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) [4]

To the far south in Dorset the Eastmond spelling was more prevalent. This entry of the plight of one Catholic family is interesting: "Of this family I can glean nothing whatever, except from Rymer's 'Foedera,' tom, xviii. p. 392, where we learn the complaint of the House of Commons to King Charles, that in the house of Mary Eastmond, in Dorsetshire, had been discovered, by two justices of the peace, divers copes, altars, chalices, &c., who thereupon tendered to her the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and upon her refusing it, committed her to the constable, from whose custody she made her escape; yet that Secretary Lord Conway had written to those justices in her favour." [5]

Early History of the Eshleman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eshleman research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1285, 1303, 1570 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Eshleman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eshleman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Eshleman have been found, including Eastman, Eastmunt, Esmund, Estman, Yeastman, Eestman, Eastmun, Eastmen, Eastmin and many more.

Early Notables of the Eshleman family

Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eshleman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eshleman Ranking

In the United States, the name Eshleman is the 17,364th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [6]

Ireland Migration of the Eshleman family to Ireland

Some of the Eshleman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 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 Eshleman family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Eshleman, or a variant listed above: Roger Eastman, who settled in Massachusetts in 1636; Mary Eastman, who immigrated to Maryland in 1671; James Eastman, who arrived in Barbados in 1679.


Contemporary Notables of the name Eshleman (post 1700) +

  • John M. Eshleman (1876-1916), American Republican politician, Member of California State Assembly 52nd District; Elected 1906; Lieutenant Governor of California, 1915-16 [7]
  • Elizabeth Ledgett Eshleman (d. 1961), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for California, 1924 [7]
  • Edwin Duing Eshleman (1920-1985), American Republican politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1954-66; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 16th District, 1967-77 [7]
  • Dudley Eshleman, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington at-large, 1906 [7]

Flight TWA 800
  • Mr. Dougas A. Eshleman (1961-1996), aged 35, from Aurora, Colorado, USA,American off-duty TWA employee flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; he died in the crash [8]


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  8. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm


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