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![Show Contents]() Oakemen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland
The Oakemen family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived in Lanarkshire. But the origins of the Oakemen surname are still unclear. Some suggest that the name came from the Old English Aecemann, meaning "oak-man." Family lore has it that an officer commanding troops besieging Macbeth in Dunsinan Castle ordered his men to march in attack with branches of oak; the officer then became known as the "oak-man." 1 Early Origins of the Oakemen familyThe surname Oakemen was first found in the counties of Fifeshire and Forfarshire, in Scotland. It is said that Akeman commanded MacBeth's troops in the siege of Dunsinane Castle and ordered the attack in 1057. One of the earliest records for the name was Alisaundre Akeman who swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I in 1296. "The tombs of ten John Aikmans are said to be in Arbroath Abbey." 1 Early History of the Oakemen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oakemen research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1682, 1707 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Oakemen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Oakemen Spelling VariationsScribes 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, Oakemen has been spelled Aikman, Akeman, Aichman, Aykman, Akman, Hekman and others. Early Notables of the Oakemen familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was William Aikman (1682-1731), Scottish portrait painter, born at Caerney, Forfarshire. "He was the only son of William Aikman, advocate, sheriff of Forfarshire, and a man of eminence at the Scottish...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oakemen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Oakemen familyThe 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 Oakemen: Francis Aikman, who came to Virginia in 1669; Patrick Aikman, who came to Boston in 1715; William Aikman, who arrived in Boston in 1718; Ernest Akman who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750.
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: Sub robore virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue under strength.
- 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)
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