ERSKINE
Erskine
Erskine is a Scottish surname of territorial origin, deriving from the barony and village of Erskine situated near the River Clyde in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Old Gaelic "iar", meaning "west", and "sgian", meaning "knife" or "weapon", possibly referring to someone who lived to the west of the river.
The Erskine family emerged as a prominent noble clan in Scottish history, with notable figures including the Earls of Mar and the Earls of Buchan. The most famous member of the Erskine family is Thomas Erskine (1750-1823), a celebrated Scottish barrister and Whig politician who became Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.
Over the centuries, the Erskine name has spread beyond Scotland, with branches of the family establishing themselves in England and other countries. The surname continues to be passed down through generations and is held by numerous individuals across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world.
Today, the name Erskine remains a distinct marker of Scottish heritage and history, representing a lineage of nobility, legal expertise, and political influence.
There are approximately 3,235 people named Erskine in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,806th most common surname in Britain. Around 50 in a million people in Britain are named Erskine.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Ann
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Janet
- Jean
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
- Vivien