Johnston Family Crest, Coat of Arms & Johnston Name Origin

Get Free Updates about Family Crests, New Information, Stories, Special Offers and more with our Occasional Newsletter Updates

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name

Origin of the Name Johnston

The ancient history of the name Johnston was found in the allfamilycrests.com archives. The families of Johnston originated in Dumfries in Scotland . The original of the name had a Tour or dwelling there in the twelfth century. His descendant in the sixth generation was Sir Adam Johnston of that ilk, who died in 1455. From his eldest son, John, descended the Lords Johnston, Earls of Hartfell. George the last Marquis, died in 1792. Another son of Sir Adam was Gilbert, the first of the family of Johnstons of Elphinstone. His descendant Samuel, was created a Baronet. The Johnstons of Westerhall are descended from a Matthew Johnston. His descendant was created a Baronet in 1700. The present Baronet belongs to this family. The fifth Baronet's daughter was created Countess of Bath. Johnstons of native Irish origin took their name as an anglicized version of the native Gaelic MacSeain sept, who were a branch of the O'Neills. This Gaelic name was also changed to MacKeown and McKeon.