Show ContentsGardeant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Gardeant family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in the barony of Gardyne, which was in the parish of Kirkden in the county of Angus. The surname Gardeant 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 Gardeant family

The surname Gardeant 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 Gardeant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gardeant 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 Gardeant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardeant Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Gardeant has been spelled Garden, Gardine, Gardyne, Jardine, Gardin, Gardan, Gardane, Jarden, Jardyne, Jardene and many more.

Early Notables of the Gardeant 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 Gardeant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gardeant family to Ireland

Some of the Gardeant 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.

Migration of the Gardeant family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Gardeant: Peter Garden who purchased land in Georgia in 1773 and Miles Garden was in Gallops Company in the abortive expedition on Quebec by Sir William Phipps. George Garden settled in Virginia in 1649.



The Gardeant 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


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