| ![Show Contents]() Stairline History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of StairlineWhat does the name Stairline mean? The ancestors of the Stairline family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in the town of Stirling in the county of the same name. Stirling was a royal residence from 1226. Early Origins of the Stairline familyThe surname Stairline was first found in Stirlingshire, where they held a family seat at Stirling from very early times, some say, well before the Norman Conquest. The name was anciently spelt Stryvelin, and one of the first references was of Gilbertus de Striuelin who witnessed the donation of Perdeyc by King David to the church of Glasgow in 1136 and Walter de Stryvelin witnessing a deed by Prince Henry, son of King David 1st of Scotland in the same year. Peter de Striuelin was witness to the donation of the church of Karreden to the abbey of Hollyrood around 1158. Thomas de Stervlen was witness to a charter made by King Alexander II in 1224 and was Archdeacon of Glasgow in 1228. Sir Gilbert de Striuelyng witnessed legal proceedings in Aberdeen around 1250. Sir John Stirling of Moray swore fealty in 1291, and Andreu de Strivelyn and Henry de Strivelyn both swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England during the latter's short conquest of Scotland in 1296. The Stirlings of Keir, where the Clan seat resides, claim to have an unbroken line of chiefs that stretches from 1160 to 1677. Sir Alexander de Strivelyn, the fifth Laird of Cadder died in 1304. 1 Early History of the Stairline familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stairline research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1621, 1640, 1666, 1669, 1678, 1692, 1770, 1790, 1878 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stairline History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stairline Spelling VariationsIn 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 Stairline has been spelled Stirling, Sterling, Sturling, Strivelynd and others. Early Notables of the Stairline familyAnother 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stairline Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stairline family to IrelandSome of the Stairline family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stairline familyIn 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 Stairline: David and John Sterling who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1651; Thomas Sterling settled in Virginia in 1655; followed by William in 1656; Will Sterling settled in Georgia in 1734.
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: Gang forward
Motto Translation: Go forward.
- 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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