Hairstan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

Early Origins of the Hairstan family

The surname Hairstan was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat in both Dumfries and south of the border in Cumberland where the name was more commonly spelled Harstan or Harston.

One of the first records of the family was Halbert Haistanis who signed the Band of Dumfries in 1570. James Hairstanis was a witness there in 1576. John Hairstanis, senior, was burgess of Dumfries and retoured heir of Matthew Hairstanis of Craigs in the lands of Kirkmahoe and in the 10 mark lands of Grange in the parish of Ur in 1629. 1

Early History of the Hairstan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hairstan research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1570 and 1686 are included under the topic Early Hairstan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hairstan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hairstanis, Hairston, Harstans, Harstens, Hairstanes, Harston, Harsten, Harstan, Harstons and many more.

Early Notables of the Hairstan family

John Hairstanis, burgess of Dumfries

Migration of the Hairstan family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Anna M. Hairston, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1906; and Leonard Hariston, aged 24, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1924.

The Hairstan 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: Toujours fidele
Motto Translation: Always faithful.

Sources +

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)