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Origins of

the Surname

Variations of

the Surname

Armorial Bearings,

 Symbols and Mottoes

Locations of

the Surname

Internet Resources

Our Family History

Origins of the Surname

An Introduction

to the Surname

Source/Meaning

of the Surname

History of

the Surname

More About

Surnames

An Introduction to the Surname

The practice of inherited family surnames began in England and France during the late part of the 11^th century.   Surnames were first utilized in the Germanic region of central Europe during the second half of the 12th century.  The custom of taking on surnames began in the southern areas of Germany, and gradually spread northward during the Middle Ages.  It took about three hundred years for this tradition to apply to most families and become a constant part of one’s identity.        With the passing of generations and the movement of families from place to place many of the original identifying names were altered into some of the versions that we are familiar with today.  Over the centuries, most of our European ancestors accepted their surname as an unchangeable part of their lives.  Thus people rarely changed their surname.  Variations of most surnames were usually the result of an involuntary act such as when a government official wrote a name phonetically or made an error in transcription. 

Map of European Languages

Research into the record of this ARMSTRONG family line indicates that the variations, meanings and history of this surname are most likely linked to that area of Europe where English, Scots, and Irish linguistic traditions are commonly found.   

Sources and Meanings of the Surname

Most modern Germanic and French family names are a means conveying lineage.  For the most part, German surnames were developed from four major sources: (1) Patronymic & Matronymic surnames most common in northern Germany are based on a parent’s first name, such as Niklas Albrecht (Niklas son of Albrecht);  (2) occupational surnames are last names based on the person’s job or trade for example Lukas Fischer (Lukas the Fisherman);  (3) descriptive surnames are based on a unique quality or physical feature of the individual like Karl Braun (Karl with brown hair); (4) geographical surnames are derived from the location of the homestead from which the first bearer and his family lived such as Leon Meer (Leon from by the sea), or derived from the state, region, or   village of the first bearer's origin for example Paul Cullen (Paul from Koeln/Cologne).

Most of the modern English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh family names throughout Great Britain have originated as a result of the following circumstances: patronym or matronym, names based on the name of one's father, mother or ancestor, (Johnson, Wilson). Each is a means of conveying lineage; occupation (i.e., Carpenter, Cooper, Brewer, Mason); habitational (Middleton, Sidney, or Ireland) or topographical (i.e. Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale); nicknames (i.e., Moody Freeholder, Wise, Armstrong); status (i.e. Freeman, Bond, Knight); and acquired ornamental names that were simply made up.

The Armstrong surname is of English and is common in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.  It is a good example of a surname assumed from a personal attribute that being - strength of arm.  It originated from a Middle English nickname for someone who was strong in the arm.   The Irish surname was adopted as an English equivalent of Gaelic Ó Labhradha Tréan ‘strong O’Lavery’ or Mac Thréinfhir, literally ‘son of the strong man’, both from Ulster.  The Gaelic Name is Mac Ghillie-laidir. 

History of the Surname

Most Germanic Surnames from Central Europe have their roots in the Germanic Middle Ages.  The process of forming family names in what is present day Germany began during Middle High German period in the history of the German language from the early 12^th Century to the 16^th century.   The nobility and wealthy land owners were the first to begin using surnames.  Merchants and townspeople then adopted the custom, as did the rural population.  This process took two or three centuries.  In most of the Germanic States of the Holy Roman Empire, the practice of using surnames was well established by the 1500s.

Surnames of the British Isles as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th century. They were not in use in England or Scotland, before the Norman Conquest of 1066, and were first found in the Domesday Book of 1086. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans who had adopted the custom just prior to this time.    Soon thereafter it became a mark of a generally higher socio-economic status and thus seen as disgraceful for a well-bred man to have only one name.  It was not until the middle of the 14^th century that surnames became general practice among all people in the British Isles

The concept of French Surnames come from the Medieval French word 'surnom' translating as "above-or-over name," surnames or descriptive names trace their use back to 11th century France, when it first became necessary to add a second name to distinguish between individuals with the same given name. The custom of using surnames did not become common for several centuries, however.

     There was a traditional story that the progenitor of the clan was a Fairbairn, an armor bearer of a king of Scotland, who went to the assistance of his master when the king had his horse killed under him in battle.  Fairbairn, grasping the king by the thigh, set him on his own horse.  For this service the king granted Fairbairn lands on the Borders, and gave him the name Armstrong.

     After William of Normandy conquered England in 1066, he rewarded his followers with land grants. Among these followers were ones known as "Forten Bras" which literally translates as "strong in the arm", itself a rare surname, and from these people developed the Armstrangs or Armstrongs.  The name was not uncommon in the north of England in the latter half of the 13th century. The clan has always been centered at Liddesdale in Cumbria, where its fierce and warlike members were enlisted by the Scottish and English kings in turn.  The terms "Moss Troopers" and "Border Reivers" were applied to the clan Armstrong, the history of the clan being the history of "The Border" and the wars between England and Scotland.   An act passed by the Scottish Parliament in 1587 'for the quieting and keeping in obedience of the inhabitants of the Borders, Highlands and Isles' containing a roll of 'the clans that have Captains, Chiefs and Chieftains as well on the Borders as the Highlands', proves that as long ago as the sixteenth century Border families were described as clans, and one of the most important of these families was the Armstrongs. 

     Early records of the name include Adam Armstrong who was pardoned at Carlisle in 1235 for causing the death of another man, and William Armestrangh served on an inquisition in the same city in 1274. Richard Harmestrang made a loan to King David at Calais in the year 1342.  The Armstrongs of Gillnockie were the principal branch of the clan, and John Armstrong of Gilnockie in the early part of the 17th century was captured, through a stratagem, by King James V. and, with over thirty of his followers, was hanged at Carlingrigg (Caerlanrig). 

Some Notable Persons, Places, or Things Having This Name

Some of the best known persons, places, or things bearing the ARMSTRONG name, or its close variants are:  

PLACES -  Armstrong Reef; Armstrong, Santa Fe;  Armstrong, Victoria; Armstrong, British Columbia,  Armstrong, Ontario;  Armstrong, Thunder Bay District, Ontario;  Armstrong, Florida;  Armstrong, Illinois;  Armstrong, Iowa;  Armstrong, Missouri;  Armstrong, Oklahoma;  Armstrong, Texas;  Armstrong, Wisconsin;  Armstrong County, Pennsylvania;  Armstrong County, Texas;  Armstrong Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana;  Armstrong Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania;  Armstrong Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania;  Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport;  Armstrong Tunnel.

PEOPLE - Billie Joe Armstrong – rock musician;  Edwin Armstrong - electrical engineer;  Louis Armstrong – jazz musician;  Neil Armstrong – astronaut;  Lance Armstrong – cyclis;  Samaire Armstrong – actress;  Franny Armstrong - movie director;  William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong – engineer.  For MOREpeople with the surname Armstrong see Armstrong (surname)

COMPANIES - Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles, British motorcycling company;  Armstrong Audio, a British audio/hi-fi manufacturer;  Armstrong Group of Companies, a conglomerate begun in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania;  Armstrong Telephone Company, a telecommunications provider serving as a local exchange carrier in rural market;  Armstrong Tools, an industrial hand tool manufacturer;  Armstrong Whitworth, the British engineering conglomerate which became Vickers-Armstrong;  Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, a separate entity;  Armstrong World Industries, a manufacturer of flooring, ceilings and cabinets;  Armstrong Engineering Associates, Inc, a technology company specializing in process heat transfer

OTHER -  Armstrong (automobile)  an early English car;  Armstrong Atlantic State University, a public university in Savannah, Georgia;  Armstrong (content management system), an open source news publishing platform;  Armstrong (crater), a lunar crater;  Armstrong Gun, a rifled breech-loading artillery piece;  Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, World War II bomber

More About Surname Meanings & Origins

GERMAN SURNAMES

Many German names have their roots in the Germanic Middle Ages. The process of forming family names began early in the 12^th Century and extended through the 16^th century. All social classes and demographic strata aided in the development of names. First Names (Rufnamen) identified specific persons. Over time the first name began to be applied to the bearer's whole family.  At first through verbal usage, family names (Familiennamen) were later fixed through writing.  Until the 17th century, first names played a more important role. The earliest family names derived from the first name of the first bearer (Patronym). Later names derived from the place of dwelling and location of the homestead.  If a person of family migrated from one place to another they were identified by the place they came from.  Of more recent origin are names derived from the vocation of profession of the first bearer. These names comprise the largest group and the most easily recognizable, for they tell what the first bearer did for a living.  Another group are names derived from a physical or other characteristic of the first bearer.  Finally, there are names that tell you the state or region a first bearer and his family came from; the age old division in tribes and regions (Low German, Middle German and Upper German) is often reflected in names.

BRITISH SURNAMES

Although the Domesday Book compiled by William the Conqueror required surnames, the use of them in the British Isles did not become fixed until the time period between 1250 and 1450.  The broad range of ethnic and linguistic roots for British surnames reflects the history of Britain as an oft-invaded land. These roots include, but are not limited to, Old English, Middle English, Old French, Old Norse, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic, Pictish, Welsh, Gaulish, Germanic, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.  Throughout the British Isles, there are basically five types of native surnames. Some surnames were derived from a man's occupation (Carpenter, Taylor, Brewer, Mason), a practice that was commonplace by the end of the 14th century.  Place names reflected a location of residence and were also commonly used (Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale) as a basis for the surname, for reasons that can be easily understood.  Nicknames that stuck also became surnames.  About one-third of all surnames in the United Kingdom are patronymic in origin, and identified the first bearer of the name by his father (or grandfather in the case of some Irish names). When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day.  Acquired ornamental names were simply made up, and had no specific reflection on the first who bore the name. They simply sounded nice, or were made up as a means of identification, generally much later than most surnames were adopted.   Source: http://www.obcgs.com/LASTNAMES.htm

FRENCH SURNAMES

Suffixes & Prefixes - While not in common use as in Italy or Sweden, some French surnames are formed by the addition of various prefixes and suffixes. A variety of French suffixes including -eau, -elet, -elin, -elle, and -elot, mean "little son of" and can be found attached to a given name to form a patronym. Prefixes of French surnames also have specific origins. The prefixes "de," "des," "du," and "le" each translate as "of" and may be found used in patronymic and geographical French surnames. Some French-Norman patronymic surnames will have the prefix "fritz," from the Old French for "son of" (Fitzgerald - son of Gerald). 

Alias Surnames or Dit Names - In some areas of France, a second surname may have been adopted in order to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word "dit." Sometimes an individual even adopted the dit name as the family name, and dropped the original surname. This practice was most common in France among soldiers and sailors.

Germanic Origins of French Names - As so many French surnames are derived from first names, it is important to know that many common French first names have Germanic origins, coming into fashion during German invasions into France. Therefore, having a name with Germanic origins does not necessarily mean that you have German ancestors!

Official Name Changes in France - Beginning in 1474, anyone who wished to change his name was required to get permission from the King. These official name changes can be found indexed in: Jérôme, archiviste. Dictionnaire des changements de noms de 1803 à 1956 (Dictionary of changed names from 1803 to 1956). Paris: Librairie Française, 1974.   Source: French Surname Meanings & Origins

Use this LINK to find the ethnic origin and meaning of last

names. Surname dictionary and

genealogy helps include names of Irish, German, English, French, Italian, and Jewish descent.

Variations of the Surname

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants.  As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized.  Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. The complexity of researching records is compounded by the fact that in many cases an ancestors surname may have been misspelled.  This is especially true when searching census documents. 

Spelling variations of this family name include: Armstrong, Armstrang, Armestrang, Harmestrang, and many more, (as noted below). 

Spelling variations of this family name may be ascertained through the utilization of several systems developed over the years.  The most prominently known are Soundex, Metaphone, and the NameX systems.  Of the three we recommend NameX as the most accurate for family historians.   See below for a listing of the top 10 spelling variations in each system.

Click on the button to find the variants of this or any other surname by utilizing The Name Thesaurus a ground-breaking technology for finding Surname and Forename variants.

This useful genealogy research tool has identified 385 million variants for 5,929,000 Surnames and 26 million variants for 1,246,000 Forenames, as well as gender identification for more than 220,000 Forenames.

NameX matched
151 Surnames

Soundex matched
3652 Surnames
Code: A652

Metaphone matched
41 Surnames
Code: ARMSTRNK

If The Name Thesaurus doesn’t adequately address the name you are looking for check out the following link:

Top 10 Tips for Finding Alternative Surname Spellings & Variations

Searching for more Information about this and other surnames?

Use LINK button to view our Surname Locator & Resources page.

Locations of the Surname

Locational Distribution of this Surname

Historical Distribution of this Surname

Locational Distribution of This Surname

Knowing the geographical areas where the surname you are researching is clustered and distributed is an indispensable tool in deciding where to focus your research.  We believe that the “Public Profiler” website will open up to you a wide range of solutions which implement current research in spatial analysis.  This site provides an array of local spatial information tools useful to the genealogist. 

The information presented herein shows where the ARMSTRONG surname is distributed within North America as well as in Europe the location of origin for this surname.      Statistics show that the country were this surname is the most highly clustered is Australia with approximately 1102.45 persons per million of population.  The density of population in the within the United States is 506.44 persons per million of population.  The top region in the World where this surname is the most highly clustered is Northern, United Kingdom with 4234.78 persons per million, and LNew Castle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom is the top city where this surname is found.

North America

Europe

Click on thumbnail for larger image

Click on the LINK to the right to see more information about the World distribution of a surname.  You can

get greater detail for any of the following maps by clicking on the area, i.e state, county that you are interested in.

·        Database of Surnames in Belgium

·        Names Distribution in France

·        Map of the surname: Austria

·        Map of the surname: Germany

·        Geogen Surname Mapping: Germany

·        Genevolu Surnames 1942 & 1998: Germany

·        Distribution of Surnames in Spain

·        Map of the Surname: Switzerland

·        Distribution of Surnames in Italy

·        Surname Distribution: Great Britain & Ireland

·        Great Britain Family Names Profiling

·        Database of Surnames in the Netherlands

Historical Distribution of this Surname

The main value in historical surname distribution databases and maps is that they enable genealogists to pinpoint the predominant location of a surname. This can quickly narrow down your search for a BDM certificate.  Knowing where to look is half the battle to finding ancestry records; if you can narrow down the search field it can save you a lot of time and trouble.  The core of historical surname distribution is that most people stayed within a fairly close locale.  Concentrations of surnames are clearly visible on Surname Distribution Maps, and name distribution tables (along with an atlas) make it quite likely that the origin of that name is from the area of its highest concentration.

The following “historical locations” for the PEIFFER surname and some of its close variant spellings have been primarily extracted from either Burke’s The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, Rietstap’s Armorial General, or J. Siebmacher's Great and General Armorial.   These books were published in the mid-19^th Century and revised thereafter.  The information therein is relevant to that period as well as earlier times as far back as 1500.   Most of the locations cited by Riestap, and Siebmacher are on the continent of Europe such as Germany, France, Switzerland, etc.        

(2) = the frequency with which this place occurs.

We recommend that you utilize our Tools for Finding Ancestral Locations.  If you have an elementary knowledge of heraldry you may wish to use this practice to trace your founding forefather.  For more information about this approach to seeking out your ancestral locations see our Using Heraldry as a Family History Research Tool.  

·        Great Britain Family Names - 1881 Census

·        England and Wales: 1891 Census

·        Scotland: 1891 Census

·        Distribution of surnames in Ireland in 1890

·        Family Name Distribution in Germany: 1942

·        Nom de famille en France: 1891-1915; 1916-40; 1941-65; 1966-90

·        United States: 1920

Armorial Bearings, Mottoes & Symbols

An Introduction to

 European Heraldry

Gallery of Images

Descriptions of the

Armorial Bearings

Heraldry as a Family

History Research Tool

Motto(es) Associated

 With This Surname

An Introduction To European Heraldry

     The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry. The use of coats of arms by countries, states, provinces, towns and villages is called civic heraldry.   A coat of arms, more properly called an armorial achievement, armorial bearings or often just arms for short.  A Coat of Arms is defined as a group of emblems and figures (heraldic bearings) usually arranged on and around a shield and serving as the special insignia of some person, family, or institution.  Except for a few cases, there is really no such thing as a standard "coat of arms" for a surname.    The rules and traditions regarding Coats of Arms vary from country to country. Therefore a Coat of Arms for an English family would differ from that of a German family even when the surname is the same. 

     The seeds of heraldic structure in personal identification can be detected in the account in a contemporary chronicle of Henry I of England, on the occasion of his knighting his son-in-law Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, in 1127. He placed to hang around his neck a shield painted with golden lions. The funerary enamel of Geoffrey (died 1151), dressed in blue and gold and bearing his blue shield emblazoned with gold lions, is the first recorded depiction of a coat of arms.

       By the middle of the 12th century, coats of arms were being inherited by the children of armigers (persons entitled to use a coat of arms) across Europe. Between 1135 and 1155, seals representing the generalized figure of the owner attest to the general adoption of heraldic devices in England, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.  By the end of the century, heraldry appears as the sole device on seals.  In England, the practice of using marks of cadency arose to distinguish one son from another: the conventions became standardized in about 1500, and are traditionally supposed to have been devised by John Writhe.

     In the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, heraldry became a highly developed discipline, regulated by professional officers of arms. As its use in jousting became obsolete, coats of arms remained popular for visually identifying a person in other ways – impressed in sealing wax on documents, carved on family tombs, and flown as a banner on country homes. The first work of heraldic jurisprudence, De Insigniis et Armis, was written in the 1350s by Bartolus de Saxoferrato, a professor of law at the University of Padua.

    In the Germanic areas of Central Europe heraldry spread to the German burgher class in the 13th century, and even some peasants used arms in the 14th century.  A German coat of arms is usually referred to by any of the following terms; Wappen, Familienwappen, Blasonierung, Heraldik, or Wappenschablonen.

     In the British Isles the College of Arms, (founded in 1483), is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.  In Scottish heraldry, the Lord Lyon King of Arms in the Act of 1672 is empowered to grant arms to "vertuous [virtuous] and well deserving persons."

     Although heraldry in France and the lowlands of Belguim and Holland had a considerable history, like England, existing from the eleventh century, such formality has largely died out in these locations. The role of the herald (héraut) in France declined in the seventeenth century.  Many of the terms in international heraldry come from French.

Gallery of Images

Our galleries contain full-sized images of Coats-of Arms that pertain to the surnames of our direct ancestral lineage.   As most surnames have many variant spellings we suggest that you also view the galleries of our other two sub-sites as they make have a surname that is similar or has a slightly different spelling that the one you are researching

Use this LINK to find images of many unique coat-of-arms in a wide

variety of surnames many of them not found anywhere else on the internet.

Descriptions of the Armorial Bearings

Descriptions of the Arms

Copyright @ 2013-14

The associated armorial bearings for this surname and close variant spellings are recorded in Burke’s General Armoire, Rietstap’s Armorial General or J. Siebmacher's Great and General Armorial.  The additional information, presented below, is offered with regard to the armorial bearings we’ve identified from the aforementioned sources. 

Crest - The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a coat of arms.  The crest was a later development arising from the love of pageantry.  Initially the crest consisted of charges painted onto a ridge on top of the helmet.

Wreath or Torse – The torse is a twist of cloth or wreath underneath and part of a crest. Always shown as six twists, the first tincture being the tincture of the field, the second the tincture of the metal, and so on.

Mantling – The mantling is a drapery tied to the helmet above the shield. It forms a backdrop for the shield.

Helm or Helmet - The helmet or helm is situated above the shield and bears the torse and crest. The style of helmet displayed varies according to rank and social status, and these styles developed over time, in step with the development of actual military helmets.

Shield or Arms - The basis of all coats of arms.  At their simplest, arms consist of a shield with a plain field on which appears a geometrical shape or object.  The items appearing on the shield are known as charges.

Motto - The motto was originally a war cry, but later mottoes often expressed some worthy sentiment. It may appear at the top or bottom of a family coat of arms.

When reading the following descriptions of these armorial bearings you may come across a term that you would like to know more about. 

As such we recommend you utilize this LINK BUTTON to locate additional information within the classic resource book originally published by James Parker and Company in 1894.

At least 15 coats-of-arms for this surname or its close variant are known to exist.   We have divided the selected armorial bearings, presented below, into three specific areas of content.  They are:

About the Proprietor:  A coat-of-arms design is usually granted only to a single person, aka. bearer, not to an entire family or to a particular surname. Coats of arms are inheritable property, and they generally descend to male lineal descendents of the original arms grantee.  Therefore the descriptive narratives below generally refer to this person as the “proprietor”.   The information given within the category primarily focuses upon the name of the proprietor, when the armorial bearings were granted, and by whom, as well as where he was seated.    

Blazoning the Arms:  In heraldry a blazon is a formal description of the coat of arms, from which the reader can reconstruct an appropriate image.  Primarily our blazons will focus upon a description of the shield, crest and mantling, as well as a motto, if known.  We attempt to construct our blazons utilizing current-day terminology for better comprehension.  

Interpreting the Arms:  Heraldry symbols such as the colors, lines and shapes found on coats-of-arms are generally referred to as charges.  Although there is some debate over whether or not the charges have any universal symbolism many persons do believe they may represent an idea or skill of the person who originally had the armorial bearings created.  If this assumption has any validity charges may provide clues to early family history of that person. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Armstrong Clan

Badge & Tartan

Armstrong of

County Clare

Armstrong of

Gallen Priory

Armstrong of Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire

Armstrong of

 Louth

Armstrong of

Mangerton

Armstrong of

Norfolk

Armstrong of

Parknowe

Armstrong of

Whittoch

Armstrong of

Yorkshire

Armstrong-MacDonnell

Sir Richard Armstrong of London

Armstrong Clan Badge & Tartan

LINK to full-size image

About the Bearer(s): The Armstrongs claim descent from Fairbairn, armor bearers to the kings of Scotland, who granted them land in the Scottish Borders. A story is told that these gifts were made as a result of a great feat of strength in rescuing the King when his horse was killed under him in the midst of battle. The clan’s authority resided intact at Mangerton in Liddesdale, where a succession of Armstrongs retained the ‘Laird of Mangerton’ title, until 1610 when Archibald Armstrong was executed as a rebel.  After this, the Armstrong lands passed into the hands of the Scotts. The first gathering of Armstrongs for 400 years was held at Tourneyholm in Liddesdale in 1979.

Blazoning the Arms: The design of the Armstrong tartan was first described in Vestiarium Scotorum, published by the Sobieski Stewarts in 1842.  The badge is depicted in the standard patterns for Scottish badges.  The clan crest is depicted atop a torse surrounded by a circular belt with metal buckle, eyelets, and tip containing the clan motto.    

Interpreting the Arms: The blue and white torse is that of the the Armstrongs’ of Mangerton, in Roxburgh, Scotland.  The uninhabited embowed bare arm is portrayed in the crests of the following Armstrong families: Whittoch, Herfordshire, and Worchestershire.  The motto “Invictus maneo” is translated as, “I remain unvanquished”.  The following Armstrong families are known to have adopted this motto: Marcus Beresford, Esquire, J.P., of Chaffpool, near Ballymote; Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Armstrong of London; Armstrong of Termonfechan, Louth;  Sir Andrew Harvey, Baronet., Gallen Priory, Ferbane, King's Co., Ireland, Henry Bruce, of, Killylea, County Armagh, as well as the aforementioned  Armstrongs’ of Whittoch, Herfordshire, and Worchestershire.

Armstrong of County Clare

LINK to full-size image

About the Bearer: The armorial bearings of Edmund-John Armstrong, Esquire, of Willow Brook, county Clare, Ireland.  He was born in 1808 and died circa 1881.  His first marriage was without issue.  In 1840 he married Jane Catherine daughter of Thomas-Hayter Longden, Esq., county Kent, England.  Three sons were produced of this union:  Edmund-James (1844);  John-Henry Maxwell (1850);  Thomas Conyngham (1852).

Blazoning the Arms: The red shield is charged with three embowed arms in armor with hand proper.  The crest shows the armored arm of the shield. The motto associated with the bearer of these arms is, “In Deo robur meus”.

Interpreting the Arms: An armored arm represents a person who has served as a leader or demonstrates the qualities of leadership and high deeds. It was utilized as a charge on the various Armstrong armorial bearings in order to preserve the allusion to the bearer’s surname.  This is also referred to as a “canting arms”.   The motto, “In Deo robur meus”, is generally translated as, “In God, strength and guidance”.

Armstrong of Gallen Priory

LINK to full-size image

About the Bearer: This coat-of-arms belonged to Sir Andrew Harvey Armstrong, (1866–1922), 3rd Baronet of Gallen Priory at Ferbane in King's county, (now County Offaly), Ireland.  Sir Andrew Harvey was High Sheriff of King's County in 1914.  The Armstrong Baronetcy, of Gallen Priory was created on 18 September 1841 for Andrew Armstrong, who was the Receiver-General of Stamps in Ireland and Member of Parliament for King's County. The Armstrong family was originally from the Scottish Borders. Andrew Armstrong, ancestor and namesake of the first Baronet, settled in County Fermanagh in the early 17th century.

Blazoning the Arms: The shield is divided quarterly.  The 1^st and 4^th quarters are white and charged with a dexter arm issuing from the sinister side.  The arm, habited in red, is grasping the trunk of an oak tree eradicated, (proper), and broken at the top.   The 2^nd and 3^rd quarters are white with three blue pallets.   The crest depicts an armored arm embowed, the hand grasping the broken trunk of an oak tree eradicated all proper.   The motto associated with the bearer of these arms is, “Invictus maneo”.

Interpreting the Arms:  An habited arm covered by a cloth sleeve most likely refers to an industrious person probably engaged in a skilled vocation. The tree alludes to home or property, and they are also generally considered a symbol of antiquity, life and strength.  That it is broken may refer to the dispersing of the Armstrong clan from the Border Lands of Scotland after 1600.  The palets represent military strength and fortitude. The pale is a vertical band down the shield denoting great defensive military strength. Protective railings were made of pales.  The motto, “Invictus maneo” was taken up by other branches of the Armstrong Clan.  It is translated as, “I remain unconquered”.

Armstrong of Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire

LINK to full-size image

About the Bearer: These armorial bearings have been attributed to an Armstrong of Lincolnshire and neighboring Nottinghamshire, both located. in the East Midlands of England.

Blazoning the Arms: The red shield is charged with three white or silver armored arms with hands proper.  The crest is of a dexter armored arm hand proper.

Interpreting the Arms:  The shield and crest is the same as shown from Armstrong of County Clare, Ireland as well as Armstrong of Yorkshire.  As such it is most probable that each is from the same family line.   An armored arm represents a person who has served as a leader or demonstrates the qualities of leadership and high deeds. It was utilized as a charge on the various Armstrong armorial bearings in order to preserve the allusion to the bearer’s surname.  This is also referred to as a “canting arms”.  

Armstrong of Louth

LINK to full-size image

About the Bearer: The Rev. William Jones Armstrong, (1764-1825), rector of Termonfechan, County Louth, in Ireland.  He married, in 1786, to Margaret, 3rd daughter of Alderman John Tew, Lord Mayor of Dublin.  Six children were produced of this union. 

Blazoning the Arms: The shield is partitioned per pale red and green and charged with three dexter armed arms couped at the shoulders and embowed the hands clenched proper. The crest features an armored arm embowed the hand grasping an oak tree, eradicated proper, coming out of a golden mural crown. The motto associated with the bearer of these arms is, “Invictus maneo”.

Interpreting the Arms: The mural crown is a plain gold circlet of battlements on a narrow rim. It would symbolize the defender of a fortress or, in this case, be an appropriate token of civic honor.  The tree alludes to home or property, and they are also generally considered a symbol of antiquity, life and strength.  It is noted that the bearer had chosen to use the color green, which represents hope and joy, as a difference to many of the other armorial bearings.  The motto, “Invictus maneo” was taken up by other branches of the Armstrong Clan.  It is translated as, “I remain unconquered”. 

Armstrong of Mangerton

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About the Bearer(s):  The Armstrong’s were Lairds of Mangerton in Roxburghshire on the Scottish Borders from the late 1200's to the early 1600's.  This Armstrong clan was seated at the castle called Mangerton, situated in Liddesdale on the Liddal River in Scotland.  There was a succession of ten Lairds of Mangerton beginning with 1st Laird, Siward Beorn, (1020-1055), a Dane by birth or descent.  Archibald Armstrong, born 1583, was the tenth and last Laird of Mangerton until 1610 when he was expelled from his lairdship..  

Blazoning the Arms: The shield is argent (white or silver) with three blue pallets.  The crest shows an armored arm from the shoulder proper. 

Interpreting the Arms: The palets represent military strength and fortitude. The pale is a vertical band down the shield denoting great defensive military strength. Protective railings were made of pales.  The armored arm represents a person who has served as a leader or demonstrates the qualities of leadership and high deeds.

Armstrong of Norfolk

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About the Bearer: The armorial bearings of Rev. Benjamin John Armstrong, (1819-1890) of county Norfolk, England.  Son of Benjamin John, Esq., of Southhall, Middlesex, and Ann Bailey of Surrey. Rev. Benjamin John was the vicar of East Dereham parish from 1850 to 1888.   His grandson Herbert B.J. Armstrong edited and published Benjamin’s dairy of his activities between 1856-and 1887.

Blazoning the Arms:  The red shield is charged, in pale, with three dexter arms in armor, hands closed proper.  The crest depicts an arm in armor as on the shield. The motto of the bearer is, “Vi et armis”.

Interpreting the Arms: The color red is utilized on many shields of Armstrong. In heraldry the color red usually represents an eagerness to serve ones country as a warrior or martyr.  It may also symbolize the virtue of magnanimity.  The armored arm represents a person who has served as a leader or demonstrates the qualities of leadership and high deeds.

Armstrong of Parknowe

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About the Bearer(s): These are the arms of John Armstrong, (d.1670), of Parknowe (Parknow), near Langholm, Scotland.  He was married to a Jane Maxwell.  The lands of Parknow may have been those of Park in Ewesdale granted by James V in 1535 to David son of Herbert Armstrong.  The same or similar arms were registered in 1672 by the Francis, son of John Armstrong.

Blazoning the Arms:  The blue shield is charged with two armored arms couped* between a gold fesse.  The crest features an arm issuing out of a cloud holding a Hercules club proper, otherwise described as a tree-trunk.  The motto of the bearer(s) is, “Invicta labore.” 

*It is not clear whether the armored arm issues from the dexter or sinister side.  A picture of Francis Armstrong’s shield shows the arm issuing from the sinister side. 

Interpreting the Arms: The cloud is a symbol of the ethereal heights of heaven, and represents the mystery and quality of higher truth. They are very seldom used as bearings on arms but quite frequently arms are represented as issuing from them as depicted in the crest of these armorial bearings. A bare arm represents an industrious person, one who believes in and engages in hard work.  The motto “Invicta labore,.”  translates as, “Unconquered by labor.”

Armstrong of Whittoch

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About the Bearer: These armorial bearings have been attributed to an Armstrong seated at Whittoch,(Whithaugh?), in county Roxburgh, Scotland. It is possible that the bearer of theses arms was Sir John Armstrong, (1480-1530), son of Thomas Armstrong, 5^th Laird of Mangerton.  Records show that Sir John resided and died at Caerlanrig, Whithaugh, in Roxburghshire, Scotland.

Blazoning the Arms:  The silver shield contains three black palets.  The crest shows a red arm from the shoulder.  The Motto associated with these arms is “Inviclus maneo”

Interpreting the Arms: The shield design of three palets, black for difference, on a silver or white field is the same as Mangerton.  A bare arm represents an industrious person, one who believes in and engages in hard work. That it is red usually represents an eagerness to serve ones country as a warrior or martyr.  The motto, “Invictus maneo” was taken up by other branches of the Armstrong Clan.  It is translated as, “I remain unconquered”. 

Armstrong of Yorkshire

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About the Bearer: This coat-of-arms has been attributed to  Rev. Charles-Edward Arrmstrong, (b.1807).  He resided at Hemsworth a small town and civil parish on the edge of West Yorkshire, England. Historically within the West Riding of Yorkshire, it now forms part of the City of Wakefield. In 1838 Charles-Edward married Mary-Anne, daughter. of John Clayton, Esq. of Enfield Old Park, Middlesex.  This union had issue of which the eldest son was Lieutenant Charles-Edward Armstrong, of the Royal Bengal artillery.

Blazoning the Arms:  A red shield is charged with three dexter arms vambraced, in armor, argent, hands proper.  The crest depicts a dexter arm vambraced in silver armor the hand proper. The motto associated with the bearer of these arms is, “Vi et armis”.

Interpreting the Arms: The shield and crest are the same as shown for Armstrong of County Clare, Ireland as well as Armstrong of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.  As such it is most probable that each is from the same family line.   The motto, “Vi et armis” is translated as, “By force and arms”.    

Armstrong-MacDonnell

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About the Bearer: These are the armorial bearings ascribed to William Edward Armstrong of Newhall and Kilkee in County Clare, Ireland.  He was a son of William Henry Armstrong of Mount Heaton, King’s County, Ireland and Bridget, the only daughter of Colonel Charles MacDonnell of New Hall and Kilkee.  William Henry sold Mount Heaton in 1817. The aforementioned William Edward Armstrong succeeded his uncle John MacDonnell in 1850.  In 1858 he adopted the additional MacDonnell surname, by royal license. 

Blazoning the Arms:  The arms are divided quarterly.  The 1^st and 4^th grand quarters are partitioned into smaller quarters representing the arms of MacDonnell.  The 1^st quarter is gold with a red lion rampant.  The 2^nd quarter is gold charged with a dexter arm issuant from the sinister fess point out of a cloud proper. In the hand is a blue cross crosslet fltchee erect.

The 3^rd  quarter Is white and charged with a black lymphad, sails furled.  The 4^th quarter is divided per fess blue and green each with a fish and a red crescent on the centre point.   The 2^nd and 3^rd grand quarters represent Armstrong.  Each are red and charged with three dexter arms vambraced. embowed proper, hands clenched also proper.  In the center chief point is a gold star.  The 1^st crest is of MacDonnell and shows a dexter arm embowed fessways, vested gold and cuffed white. The hand holding a blue cross crosslet fltchee erect and the arm charged with a red crescent.  The 2^nd crest is of Armstrong.  It features a  dexter arm 'vambraced fessways and embowed proper, charged with a red star the hand grasping an armed leg couped at the thigh and bleeding also proper.  The motto associated with the bearer of these arms is, “Toujours prêt”.

Interpreting the Arms: This coat-of-arms is an excellent example of “marshalling” which is the art of arranging several coats of arms in one shield, for the purpose denoting the alliances of a family. The cross crosslet fltchee is depicted as a combination of cross and sword. This along with the crescent refers to an ancestor who engaged in the Crusades.  The lymphad is a ship with one mast and is frequent in the heraldry of Scotland.  It along with the fish points to some notable expedition by sea, by which, perhaps, the first bearers had become famous. This may also be a reference to the Crusades. The motto, “Toujours prêt” is translated as, “Always ready”.    

Sir Richard Armstrong of Lincolnshire

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About the Bearer: The arms of Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Armstrong, (c.1782 –1854) originally of Lincolnshire, later of London, England.  He was an officer in the British army and a member of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.  He served in the Peninsular War and in the First Anglo-Burmese War.  Sir Richard became commander of the British forces in Canada West in 1842 and, after serving in that post until 1848, went on to be Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army in 1851.

Blazoning the Arms:  The red shield is charged with three white or silver armored arms with hands proper.  The crest features the hand of the shield crest holding a leg in armor couped at the thigh proper.

Interpreting the Arms: The shield is the same design as attributed to Armstrong of Lincolnshire and neighboring Nottinghamshire, both located. in the East Midlands of England.  The crests of each are different.  The hand holding a leg in armor probably indicates the bearer’s military triumph’s over foes. 

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Heraldry as a Family History Research Tool

Wondering whether you are descended of the nobility*?  Are you aware of an ancestor who held a prominent political position or had a title such as Sir, or Esquire?  If so you just might have an ancestor who was granted a coat-of-arms.    If you are of European descent, you are probably a descendant of Charlemagne.  Once you are able to prove your line of descent from him, you will then find thousands of links to other noble and common persons in your list of relatives.  It is rare indeed that the genealogy of a person of European descent, when traceable, doesn’t hit nobility somewhere.  And once it hits one European noble, whether you like it or not, hundreds of new names will become a part of your family.

*The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the Crown as a reward to people who perform a heroic deed, achieve greatness in some endeavor, or hold a prominent government position.

    If you have an elementary knowledge of heraldry you may wish to use this practice to trace your founding forefather.  If you know the geographical place (country, county, city) where the family coat-of-arms was first identified, you may well search its history for the family name in question in order to find your direct ancestor.  Remember that most noble European family pedigrees have been thoroughly researched and published.   By putting together the family surname with the known location you may find a treasure trove of valuable information about your ancestors.  Upon pursing your research you should be aware of the possibility of variant spellings of the surname.  See Variations of the Surname for more information about variant spellings of the surname.

Many family historians who have not connected with a noble ancestor may just want to know what their family coat-of-arms looks like.  If this is the situation you must know that except for a few cases, there is really no such thing as a standard "coat of arms" for a surname.  A coat of arms is a design usually granted only to a single person not to an entire family or to a particular surname.  Coats of arms are inheritable property, and they generally descend to male lineal descendents of the original arms grantee.  As a result you are advised to seek out a coat-of-arms for the locale where your ancestor resided.

For example: we have an Arnold ancestor who is known to have emigrated to America from the town of Erlangen, in Bavaria, Germany.  Current research shows Erlangen is located in the area of Bavaria known as Middle Franconia.  Upon review of the historic locations for Arnold as noted in one source of armorial bearings we find places in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands and others.   One coat-of-arms is listed as belonging to an Arnold of Franconia, Bavaria.  As such we may conclude that this is the coat-of-arms having some relevance to our ancestor.  He may well be a blood relative of the aforementioned noble Arnold.   He or his ancestor may have been employed by or a serf of the noble Arnold family of that locale.  In some cases the name of the noble family becomes the name of the locale resulting in the ancestor appropriating it a as surname, see Sources and Meanings of the Surname to ascertain whether the surname you are interested in is a locational name.

Some Resources for Locating Nobility

·     Austria-Hungary - untitled nobility

·     Austrian nobility

·     Baltic nobility

·     Bavarian noble families

·     Belgium noble families

·     Croatian nobility

·     Dutch noble families

·     Dutch Noble Family Names, 1814 to Present

·     France – House of Bourbon

·     French nobility – present remaining families

·     Holy Roman Empire – German nobility

·     Holy Roman Empire - nobility (1)

·     Holy Roman Empire – nobility (2)

·     Holy Roman Empire - noble families

·     Hungarian noble families

·     Lithuanian nobility

·     Medieval European Nobility

·     Normandy nobility

·     Norway Aristocracy

·     Polish nobility coats of arms

·     Polish noble families – Barons

·     Polish noble families - Counts

·     Polish noble families - Marquess

·     Scottish nobility

·     Swedish noble families

·     Swiss nobility

If you are interested in the armorial bearings of a particular surname we strongly advise that you utilize the resources provided within this area of our web page.  If you have any questions or need any assistance with regard to using heraldry as a means to further or widen your family history research you are welcome to contact us, see About This Webpage.

Mottoes of this Surname

Mottoes associated with this surname

British Isles

A motto is a word or sentence usually written upon a scroll and generally placed below the shield, but sometimes, especially in Scotland, above the crest.    Many ancient mottoes were war-cries such as the Douglas motto of “Forward.”    Many mottoes refer to the name of the bearer, for example “cole regem” for Coleridge.   In general most mottoes convey a sentiment, hope, or determination, such as the Cotter motto “Dum spiro spero” where the meaning is “While I have breath I hope“.     Mottoes are often used by several successive generations, but may be changed at any time by the grantee. The languages most in use are Latin, French, and English.  Exceptions are seen in Scotland where they are often in the old Lowland dialect, and in Wales, often in the language of the principality.   

Germany

It is unusual to find a motto associated with the coat-of-arms of a noble of the European continent especially a German family.  This does not necessarily mean that the Germanic culture is devoid of mottos.  For example, the national motto of Germany is “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit”, meaning Unity and Justice and Freedom.  The German word for motto is “Wahlspruch.”   Some of the more well known German mottoes are as follows: Alte Wunden bluten leicht – Old wounds readily bleed anew;    Blut und Eisen – Blood and iron;  Das beste is gut genug – The best is good enough;  Ein’ feste Burg is unser Gott – Our God is a strong tower of defense;  Ewigkeit – Eternity;  Für Gott und Iht – All for God and her;  Gott is überall – God is over all;  Gott mit uns – God is with us;  Ich dien – I serve;  Krieg – War;  Mehr Licht! – More light!;  Nichts zoviel – Nothing in excess;  Prosit! – Good luck!;    Vaterland – Fatherland;  Vertrau’ auf Gott – Put your trust in God;  Vorwärts! – Forward!;        Zu dienen – At your service.

France

French phrases adopted as mottos, have a certain air of chivalry and perhaps a distinctly feudal sense of duty and allegiance. French mottos are more indicative of the warrior culture of the Middle Ages. Some of these phrases, however, are translations of better known Latin mottos, such as Toujours fidèle for Semper fidelis. Some of these phrases are often found in Old French spelling.  Examples of some well known French mottoes are as follows: Aimez loyaulté - Love loyalty;  Boutez en avant - Push forward;  C’est la seule vertu qui donne la noblesse - Virtue alone confers nobility;  Droit à chacun - To each his right;  En Dieu est ma foy - In God is my faith;  Foy pour devoir - Faith for duty;  Garde la foy - Keep the faith;  Inébranlable - Not to be shaken;  J’ai bonne cause - I have good reason;  Loyauté sans tache - Loyalty without defect;  Maintien le droit - Support the right;  Ni dessus, ni dessous - Neither above nor below;  Oublier ne puis - I cannot forget;  Parle bien ou parle rien - Speak well or say nothing;  Rien sans Dieu - Nothing without God;  Suivez raison - Follow reason;  Tachez surpasser en vertue - Strive to surpass in virtue;  Un Dieu, un roy, un foy - One God, one king, one faith;  Veilliez et ne craignez pas - Watch and fear not.

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·             Our Surname Locator And Resources web page contains the following: (1) links that will take you to an updated listing of all surnames as posted in our three databases at the Rootsweb WorldConnect Project; (2) the Surname List Finder a tool that finds sound-alike matches for a given surname from among RootsWeb's thousands of surname lists; (3) the Soundex Converter that can be used to find the soundex code for a surname, plus other surnames/spellings sharing the same soundex code;  (4) Surname Message Boards the world's largest online genealogy community with over 17 Million posts on more than 161,000 boards; (5) Surname Mailing Lists of all surnames having mailing lists at RootsWeb, as well as topics that include (6) Surname Heraldry, and  (7) Mapping a Surname. 

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Our Ancestral Lineage

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Ancestral Lineage

Source Documents

Migrations of the

American Family

Ancestral Locations

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Family History

             The only ancestor found in this family line is our 6^th great-grandmother Mary Armstrong.  The year and place of her birth is not known although one may speculate that she was born around 1750 possibly in Pennsylvania.  Sometime during the early part of the 1770’s she married John Ross.  This event may have occurred in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  During this union at least eleven known off-spring were produced.  Of them was our 5^th great-grandfather Joshua Ross born around 1775 in Pennsylvania.  Mary may have passed away in Loudon County, Virginia but the place and year of her passing is not known at this time.

Ancestral Lineage

Additional information about the persons in our database  as   well  as   a   complete  listing   of

individuals with this surname may be reviewed by clicking on this LINK.

MARY ARMSTRONG was born in 1743 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA. She married JOHN ROSS. He was born about 1740 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He died about 1804 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

John Ross and Mary Elizabeth Armstrong had the following children:

i.        JOSHUA² ROSS was born about 1775 in Pennsylvania. He died in 1842 in Ross County, Ohio. He married Jane Ross (nee?) before 1798 in Pennsylvania?. She was born about 1775 in Pennsylvania. She died after 1860 in Ross County, Ohio.

ii.      ARMSTRONG ROSS was born in Pennsylvania. He died in 1833 in Ross County, Ohio. He married ANNA ROSS (NEE?). She was born about 1790. She died after 1870 in Indiana?.

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above click on the button to look-up the name you are interested in.

The WorldConnect Project is a set of tools, which allow users to upload, modify, link, and display their family trees as a means to share their genealogy with other researchers.

The WorldConnect Project continues to grow, as it now contains several hundred million records thus it offers researchers the single largest collection of family trees on the Internet.

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that will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google and the Internet to find ancestry information about this or any other Surname. 

Source documents

The documents contained within this “Source Documents Archives” have been located during our research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.   We have source documents related to the following persons within our database with this surname.

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     Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary evidence.  Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record.  Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error.  Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents.  Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

     Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value.  This is especially true of secondary evidence.  Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2^nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

You are welcome to download any of the documents contained within this archive that does not cite a copyright.  Should you encounter a problem obtaining a copy you may get in touch with us via the contact information found at the end of this web-page.

Migration routes

       Tracing our own family’s paths of migration can prove crucial in identifying previous generations and eventually, figuring out where and how they arrived in the “New World” as well as where they eventually settled.  Knowing the network of trails American pioneers traveled can help you guess where to start looking.  The trail map(s) provided below may assist you in understanding the routes that our direct ancestors of this family may have taken to find new homes and opportunities in the vast area now encompassed by the United States.

      During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to America.  For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution.  For most it was an opportunity to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents.

Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of ARMSTRONG, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries.  Some of these immigrants were: Avis Armstrong, who was on record in Connecticut in 1660; Edward Armstrong, who received a land patent in Maryland in 1666; Addam Armstrong, who came to Virginia in 1691.

Use the following links to find more early immigrants with this surname:

$ Search Ancestry.com Immigration Records; or Free Ship’s Passenger lists at OliveTreeGenealogy.com

The Development of an Historical Migration Route

It is understood that in many if not all cases we do not know exactly what routes our ancestors took as they migrated throughout the United States.   As such certain assumptions have been utilized to re-create the migration path presented above.  With regard to 18^th and 19^th century land routes we assume that they travelled along few trails and roads that were in existence at the time.  Research shows that a great many of these old paths and trails are today designated as U.S. Highway Routes.  For example, a major east-west route of migration known as the National Road is now U.S. Route 40, and a primary north-south migration route of the 18^th century followed the Great Indian War and Trading Path is now U.S. Route 11.  In some situations the re-created migration route may travel along state routes that connect or run through the seat of a county as that populated place is probably the oldest settlement in the area. The use of water as a migration route is also likely.  For example, during the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries many families travelled west on the Ohio River as they moved on the new lands in Missouri or the Old Northwest Territory.  As such when applicable water routes have been included as the possible migration route.   

Ancestral locations

Researching the locations where our ancestors lived has provided us with valuable evidence needed to fill in the gaps in our family trees.  It has also led us to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group.

The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the Direct Ancestors in the “Ancestral Lineage” (see above) were born, married, and / or died.

UNITED STATES

PENNSYLVANIA

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Where are my

Resources which enhance our knowledge of the places inhabited by our ancestors are almost as important as their names. The LINK to the right will take you to Maps, Gazetteers,   and  other  helpful   resources 

that will assist in discovering Ancestral Locations.  These web sites comprise only a small portion of what is available for researchers interested in learning more about where their ancestors lived.

Images gallery

During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a particular family.  Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of our ancestors past lives.  We have images related to the following persons within our database with this surname.

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