| ![Show Contents]() Finlaison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Etymology of FinlaisonWhat does the name Finlaison mean? The saga of the Finlaison family name begins among the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Finlaison name is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnlaigh which means 'son of Finlay' or which is often Anglicized to fair hero. Early Origins of the Finlaison familyThe surname Finlaison was first found in Stirlingshire, where traditionally this Clan is descended from Finlay Mor Farquharson, in turn descended from the ancient 11th century Thanes of Fife, through Shaw MacDuff, the first progenitor of the Farquharsons of the Braes of Mar. The descendants of Finlay Mor, a giant of a man, a man of daring and unequalled courage, settled in the lowlands with the name MacIanla, though, strangely, they had previously been called the Clan Eracher. It is claimed that the MacErachers of Perth also are descended from Finlay Mor. In the lowlands they became the Clan MacIanla. This was in turn anglicized to Finlayson, having many spellings, but approximately the same sound. The first Finlay married the heiress of the Garden, 'of that Ilk', and acquired those estates. Early History of the Finlaison familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Finlaison research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1450, 1455, 1478 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Finlaison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Finlaison Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Finlaison has appeared Finlayson, Finleyson, Finlaison, Finlawson, Fynlawsone, Findlayson, Findleyson, Finlason, Findlaysoun, Finlaisone, Fynloson, McIanley, MacIanlay, MacKinlay, MacEracher, McEracher and many more. Early Notables of the Finlaison familyMore information is included under the topic Early Finlaison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Finlaison familyMany Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Finlaison: George Finlayson, who settled in Maryland in 1774; John, Lewis and Thomas Finlayson all arrived in Pennsylvania between 1813 and 1832; John Finlason settled in Virginia in 1735. John McKeracher was on record in Montreal in 1821.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Finlaison (post 1700) | + |
- John Finlaison (1783-1860), Scottish statistician and government actuary, son of Donald Finlayson (who spelt the name thus), born at Thurso in Caithness-shire, 27 Aug. 1783 1
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: Coelitus datum
Motto Translation: Given by God.
- Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
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