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Clan Aikenhead (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Aikenhead

Clan Crest: A demi-savage holding in his dexter hand three laurel slips bearing fruit, Proper

Clan Motto: Rupto Rore Nati (We are born in a weak condition)

Origin of Name: Place name from Akynheuide in the sheriffdom of Lananakshire

Clan Badge: A demi-savage holding in his dexter hand three laurel slips bearing fruit, Proper

Lands: Wigtownshire and Galloway

Region: Lowlands

Historic Seat: Aikenhead, Lanarkshire

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Clan Aikenhead History

The surname Aikenhead originated in early medieval Scotland. It derives from the old barony of Aikenhead in Lanarkshire. The place Aikenhead got its name from the person who owned it; their name was probably "Aiken" or "Aitken." The 'head' part of the name is derived from the Middle English word "heved, heued," which refers to the top of a hill or the beginning of a stream or valley.

The name was first recorded in 1296, when Gilbert de Lakenheud of the county of Lanark rendered homage for his lands. In 1372, Robert II confirmed to John de Maxwell the lands of Akynheuide in the sheriffdom of Lanark. Convallus de Akinhead also witnessed the grant of Auchmarr lands to Walter de Buchanan in this year. In 1376, William de Akynheued was bailie of the burgh of Rutherglen, and in 1444, William de Akinhede was a notary public in Irvine.

Remission was granted in 1489 to three men named Akynhed, who, along with others, held the Castle of Dumbarton against the king.

Lanarkshire, particularly Glasgow, is the most common location for this name.

Clan Aikenhead People & Places

Clan Aikenhead Individuals

Mary Frances Aikenhead, Mother (19 January 1787 – 22 July 1858)

Mary was born in Cork, Ireland, in Daunt's Square off Grand Parade. She founded the Catholic religious order, the Religious Sisters of Charity, as well as St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.

Aikenhead, Thomas (c. March 1676 – 8 January 1697)

A 20-year-old Scottish medical student from Edinburgh who was tried and executed for blasphemy. He was the last person executed in the United Kingdom for blasphemy. This was 85 years after the death of Edward Wightman (1612), the last person burned at the stake in England for heresy.

Clan Aikenhead Tartans

There is no Aikenhead Tartan, so we use the district tartan from which the name is derived. It's either the Galloway Tartan or the Stirling & Bannockburn District Tartan in this case.

Galloway Borough

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Red Galloway

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District of Stirling and Bannockburn

Clan Aikenhead Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Aikenhead Coat of Arms

Description of the Crest:

A demi-savage with three fruiting laurel slips in his dexter hand, Proper

Coats of Arms of Clan Aikenhead

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). There are no such things as "family coats of arms." Personal weapons are depicted below (with the above exceptions). Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.)