Show ContentsJerdone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Jerdone is an ancient Scottish name that was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is a name for someone who lived in Angus. Jerdone is thought to have been a Norman name that made it's way North into Scotland. It is ultimately derived from the Old French word jardin, or "garden." Further research indicates that the family settled very early in the barony of Gardyne in the parish of Kirkden, Angus. It is from these lands that the family takes its name; although a more literal interpretation of the name would mean 'of the garden.' The family also held estates in Arbroath, Aberdeen, Banff and Perth for centuries. 1

Early Origins of the Jerdone family

The surname Jerdone 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, where one of the first official records was Winefredus de Jardine in 1153 when he witnessed charters by King David 1st to the Abbeys of Kelso and Arbroath.

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time.

"Umfrid de Jardin witnessed a charter by Robert de Bruys to the Abbey of Arnbroath, c. 1178-80, and as Humphrey del Gardin witnessed confirmation of a fishery in Torduf c. 1194-1211. Patrick de Gardinus was cleric to the bishop of Glasgow c. 1200, and Sir Humphrey de Gardino witnessed a resignation of lands in Annandale a. 1245." 1

Early History of the Jerdone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jerdone research. Another 338 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1296, 1476, 1597, 1672, 1683, 1684, 1695, 1699, 1712, 1737, 1777, 1800, 1885, 1906, 1910, 1916, 1918 and 1919 are included under the topic Early Jerdone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jerdone Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Jerdone has been spelled Jardine, Jardin, Gardin, Gardyn, Garden and others.

Early Notables of the Jerdone family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jerdone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Jerdone family to Ireland

Some of the Jerdone 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.


United States Jerdone migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

Jerdone Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Francis Jerdone, who arrived in Virginia in 1771 2


The Jerdone 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: Cave adsum
Motto Translation: Beware I am here.


  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. 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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