Show ContentsGardyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A family of Strathclyde-Briton were the first to use the name Gardyn. They lived in the barony of Gardyne, which was in the parish of Kirkden in the county of Angus. The surname Gardyn 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 Gardyn family

The surname Gardyn 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 Gardyn family

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

Gardyn Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Gardyn has appeared as Garden, Gardine, Gardyne, Jardine, Gardin, Gardan, Gardane, Jarden, Jardyne, Jardene and many more.

Early Notables of the Gardyn family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

  • Alexander 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 Godlie Flowers.’ T...

Ireland Migration of the Gardyn family to Ireland

Some of the Gardyn 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 Gardyn family

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them: 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 Gardyn 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


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