Show ContentsEsplin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Esplin family

The surname Esplin was first found in Cambridgeshire, where the Feet of Fines recorded Absolon, son of Apsolon, as holding estates in 1199. Aspelon was listed in Huntingdonshire in 1252 and in Yorkshire, Johannes filius Asplom was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1302. The Curia Regis Rolls for Oxfordshire include Stephen Abselon in 1208. 1

Early History of the Esplin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Esplin research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1281, 1302, 1455, 1487, 1680 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Esplin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Esplin Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Esplin include Absolom, Absalom, Absalon, Absolon, Apsolon, Apslom, Abslom, Asplin, Aspenlon, Aspland, Asplen, Aspling, Aspenlon and many more.

Early Notables of the Esplin family

More information is included under the topic Early Esplin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Esplin migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Esplin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Esplin, aged 24, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 2
  • Williamina Esplin, aged 30, originally from Arbroath, Scotland, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 2
  • Magdalene Esplin, aged 38, originally from Abroath, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 2
  • Catherine Esplin, aged 56, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Esplin (post 1700) +

  • Ronald Kent "Ron" Esplin (b. 1944), American managing editor of The Joseph Smith Papers project, former director of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History at Brigham Young University
  • Roger M. Esplin, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Arizona, 1992 3
  • Cheryl Asay Esplin (b. 1944), American counselor in the general presidency of the Primary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (2010-2016)
  • Mabel Esplin (1874-1921), English stained glass artist, known for her three mural panels at Christ Church in Spitalfields in the East End of London
  • Lieutenant Christopher J. Esplin Jones, British Royal Navy, member of the Royal Navy Hydrographic Survey Unit (1962–1963), eponym of the Esplin Islands, Antarctica


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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