Surname Edinburgh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Edinburgh: What does the surname Edinburgh mean?
The last name Edinburgh originates from the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh. It is believed to have been derived from Old English and Gaelic words meaning “edwin’s burgh”, referring to the city's founder King Edwin of Northumbria who established it in the 7th century. Over time the name has transformed from Edwinburh, to Edinburgh. It is possible the name may have had an additional Gaelic meaning of “hill-fort” or “hill of the cows”.
Edinburgh is a common English surname, typically found throughout Scotland, England, and Ireland, with some bearers found in other countries such as Canada, the United States and New Zealand. Between the years of 1881 and 2018, there was an estimated 11,675 people bearing the last name Edinburgh in the UK alone.
The coat of arms for those with the surname Edinburgh includes a blue shield with three silver fleur de lis and a chevron with three white cross-crosslets resting on an annulet. The crest of the Edinburgh family contains a dexter arm, holding a cross-crosslet, with a border of laurel, signifying victory.
The motto for the Edinburgh family is ‘Macte Virtute’, which translates to ‘Increase in Virtue’, a reference to the strong moral code upheld by the family.
Those with the last name Edinburgh are associated with the city of Edinburgh's rich and vibrant history, and the family's motto is meant to encourage virtue and honour within the family line.
Order DNA origin analysisEdinburgh: Where does the name Edinburgh come from?
The last name Edinburgh is believed to be of both Scottish and English origin. This name is more common in Scotland than most other countries in the world. The name derives from an old Scottish place name and is commonly found in both Highland Scotland and Lowland Scotland.
Edinburgh appears in the earliest ancient records of Scotland. The first appearance dates back to the 12th century with William de Edinburgh, a witness recorded in Glasgow, Scotland. Later, the name Edward Edinburgh was recorded in Scotland in 1667.
Since then, the name has been adopted by many people of Scottish heritage, as well as those who have taken it on as part of their family name. Today, the last name Edinburgh is most commonly found throughout Scotland, particularly in the Highland region. However, it is also present in other countries such as Australia, the United States and Canada, primarily among those of Scottish ancestry.
Due to the increasing amount of immigration from Scotland to other countries, it is gaining in popularity in other parts of the world as well. In particular, descendants of Scottish settlers in America, Canada and Australia are more likely to find the surname Edinburgh.
The popularity of the surname Edinburgh can be attributed to its roots in the Scottish kingdom of Caledonia. The tartan of the Edinburgh clan is also particularly popular, suggesting a distinguished and strong family history.
Variations of the surname Edinburgh
The surname Edinburgh is a patronymic surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the name Edwyn, which is itself derived from the Old English name Edwin. This surname is almost exclusively found in Scotland, where it is particularly associated with the city of Edinburgh.
The variants, spellings, and surnames related to this name include Ecenburh, Eadwine, Edvin, Edwin, Edwyn, and Eidenburg. Ecenburh seems to be the oldest recorded spelling of this name and was the first form of the name to enter the country when the Norsemen invaded Scotland. Eadwine and Edvin are variants commonly used in Scotland. Edwin is the anglicized form of the name, while Edwyn and Eidenburg are modern spellings used by members of the Edinburgh surname.
Numerous other surnames have arisen from the root name Edinburgh. These include Edmpund, Ebbung, Embun, Ensbur, Endbur, Endburge, and Embury. These surnames, while all being related to the Edinburgh surname, are much less common than the primary spelling.
Overall, the surname Edinburgh is fairly common in Scotland, and numerous related surnames exist throughout the country. Variations of the name are also seen in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These surnames all stem from the original root surname, Edinburgh.
Famous people with the name Edinburgh
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: The Duke of Edinburgh is best known for being the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He is the longest-serving royal consort in British History.
- Alexander Edinburgh: Alexander is a former American football defensive end who played in the NFL from 1992 to 2000.
- Thomas Edinburgh: Thomas is a professional tennis player who is currently ranked No. 875 in the world.
- Andy Edinburgh: Andy is an American lacrosse player playing for the Rochester Rattlers in Major League Lacrosse.
- Benoit Edinburgh: Benoit is a professional football midfielder who plays for Charlton Athletic in the English Football League One.
- William Edinburgh: William is a British novelist who has written four novels, including "The City Below" (2007) and "The House of Sorrows" (2010).
- Peter Edinburgh: Peter is an Australian professional golfer who has won several Amateur Championships. He is currently ranked 386 in the world rankings.
- Dan Edinburgh: Dan Edinburgh is a British footballer who currently plays for Irish club Shamrock Rovers.
- Robert Edinburgh: Robert is an American professional golfer who won several professional tournaments including the 2003 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
- Brett Edinburgh: Brett is a retired professional ice hockey player who represented the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL.