Show ContentsGardean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gardean

What does the name Gardean mean?

The Gardean family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived in the barony of Gardyne, which was in the parish of Kirkden in the county of Angus. The surname Gardean belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Gardean family

The surname Gardean was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire.

"The name is now common in Arnbroath and neighborhood, and persons of the name have held lands in Aberdeen, Banff, and Perth for centuries. " 1

Some of the first on record include William Gardeyn of Angus and William du Gardyn of Edinburghshire who rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. In the same year a writ was directed to the sheriff of Edinbergli in behalf of Henry de Gerdino. And later, Patrick Gardyne de eodem appears as witness in 1450. 1

Further to the south in England, William del Gardin was listed c. 1183 in Oxfordshire, William Gardin was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Huntingdonshire in 1220 and John atte Gardyne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 2

"A branch of the Jardines settled in Kent, where they gave their name to their residence, Jardines, in the parish of Leybourne. The last owner, Thomas de Gardinis, died 2 Edward III., and left no sons. Another was seated in Somersetshire from the time of Henry III., whence Emeric de Gardino or Gordain acquired through his marriage some estates there." 3

Early History of the Gardean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gardean research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1574, 1585, 1609, 1634, 1649 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Gardean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardean Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Gardean has been spelled Garden, Gardine, Gardyne, Jardine, Gardin, Gardan, Gardane, Jarden, Jardyne, Jardene and many more.

Early Notables of the Gardean family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was George Garden (1649-1733), Scottish divine, a younger son of Alexander Garden, minister of Forgue in Aberdeenshire. 4Alexander Gardyne (1585?-1634?), Scotch poet, "an advocate in Aberdeen, was probably born about 1585, as he was master of arts before 1609, when he produced his ‘Garden of Grave and...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gardean Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gardean family to Ireland

Some of the Gardean family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gardean migration to the United States +

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Gardean:

Gardean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Marien Gardean, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1755 5


The Gardean 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: Cruciata cruce junguntur
Motto Translation: Crosses are joined to the cross.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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