Edmonstone surname

The history of the Edmonstone surname

There are two versions regarding the origins of the Edmonstone family. One states that they descend from Edmond, a Saxon member of Queen Margaret’s retinue, who arrived in Scotland in 1068, and who may have been a son of Count Egmont of Flanders.

The other, perhaps more likely, version states that they descend from a member of the Seton family named Edmund who owned what became known as Edmonstone.

Interestingly the coats of arms of the Edmonstones of Duntreath and the Setons of Abercorn are almost identical, both featuring three crescents.

The first record of the name comes from a charter thought to date to around 1210 which mentions a Henricus de Edmonston, or Henry Edmonstone, who intriguingly is described as “son of E.” which is thought to signify the original Edmund from whom the family descend. Henry is mentioned again in several charters throughout the 13th century and a later Henry is recorded in 1359 as having died and been succeeded by his son Johannes de Edmundiston. In 1352 a charter of the office of coroner for Lothian was given to John of Edmonstone.

John Edmonstone evidently acted on diplomatic matters for David II, travelling to England on the King’s behalf at various times in the 14th century, and was given a grant of the thanage of Boyne in Banffshire in 1369. He seems to have continued this work for Robert II following the death of David II in 1371.

Upon John’s death the Edmonstone estate passed to his eldest son, also John, and it is thought that a younger son was the founder of the branch of the Edmonstones of Duntreath.