Surname Edmonston - Meaning and Origin

Edmonston: What does the surname Edmonston mean?

The surname Edmonston is of Scottish origin, rooted in the ancient territory of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a habitational name, derived from a place in Berwickshire, originally spelled "Edmundston," meaning "the settlement of Edmund" or "Edmund's town". The name Edmund itself draws from the Old English words "Ead" for "wealth or fortune" and "Mund" for "protection". Thus, the name suggests a place where "wealth or fortune is protected". Surnames that were derived from ancient English villages or towns are common, and these often changed over time due to linguistic or regional variations. Over time, the spelling changed to Edmonston. Those bearing the Edmonston surname can often trace their ancestors back to this specific location in Scotland.

Edmonston: Where does the name Edmonston come from?

The surname Edmonston is considered to be of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English given name Edmond and the suffix "ston" or "tun" meaning a settlement or town. Hence, it could possibly denote 'Edmond’s town'.

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be William Edmonston, documented in the "Charters of the Abbey of Levenax" from Dumbarton in Scotland in 1271.

In present times, this surname is still most prevalent in Scotland. However, it has spread across the English-speaking world due to migration patterns, and can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia albeit with a lower incidence. Data from Forebears, a genealogy site, showed that the surname Edmonston is most prevalent in the United States, with it being the 43,193rd most common surname in the country. Despite being spread globally, it remains a fairly uncommon surname.

Variations of the surname Edmonston

The surname Edmonston has various spellings and variants that are derived from the same root. Some of these include Edmonstone, Edmondson, Edmondston, Edmiston, Edminson, Edmeston, and Edmonstoune. Some versions contain an extra letter such as in Edmonstone or Edmondstone, some have an extra 'd' as in Edmondson or use 'i' instead of 'o' as seen in Edmiston.

All these variants have originated from the Old English personal name 'Eadmund' which translates to ‘prosperity’ and ‘protector’. The suffix ‘-ston’ or ‘-stone’ means ‘settlement’ or ‘town’. The different versions have evolved due to regional accents, varying levels of literacy and the use of non-standardized spelling prior to the 18th century. Over time, families adopted their own preferred spelling variations for a variety of reasons, which is why the surname has so many different forms today.

It’s worth noting that people with different spelling variations of the same surname might not always be related. For example, an Edmonston may share a common ancestor with an Edmiston, or they may not. Each variation of the surname could have independently evolved in different locations and times.

Famous people with the name Edmonston

• Elaine Edmonston: An American actress who appeared in a handful of films in the 40s and 50s, she was married to pioneering makeup artist John Chambers.
• Barbara Edmonston: A well-known psychologist in Canada.
• Peter Edmonston: A highly successful journalist who is a writer for the New York Times.
• Henry Edmonston: A 18th-century lawyer and Member of Parliament in Scotland.
• Chris Edmonston: President of the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, frequently appears in media related to boating safety.
• Hyatt Edmonston: A former fashion editor of the New York Herald Tribune and Vogue.
• Jack Edmonston: Known for being involved in radios and ham radios, several patents are in his name related to this field.
• Keith Edmonston: A former American football player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. Remember, not all Edmonstons are related, and the notable figures listed come from a variety of backgrounds and fields. The variations in the spelling of the surname sometimes make tracking all notable people with this name more challenging.

Other surnames

Edmonstone