![Show Contents]() Stiring History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of StiringWhat does the name Stiring mean? Today's generation of the Stiring family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Stiring lived in the town of Stirling in the county of the same name. Stirling was a royal residence from 1226. Early Origins of the Stiring familyThe surname Stiring 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 Stiring familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stiring 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 Stiring History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stiring Spelling VariationsRepeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Stiring has appeared Stirling, Sterling, Sturling, Strivelynd and others. Early Notables of the Stiring familyAnother 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stiring Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stiring family to IrelandSome of the Stiring 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 Stiring familyMany Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Stiring: 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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