Show ContentsAlsher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Alsher

What does the name Alsher mean?

The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Alsher family. Their name comes from the given name Alexander, which in turn was originally derived from the Greek name, which means "defender of men." In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name, which she had heard in the Hungarian Court where she was raised, into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander. The popularity of the name Alexander was ensured by the fact that it was borne by three Scottish kings, the first being Margaret's son who succeeded to the throne of Scotland following the death of Malcolm III. The name Elshener is a local or dialectal pronunciation of the name Alexander.

Early Origins of the Alsher family

The surname Alsher was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Alsher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alsher research. Another 455 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1295, 1431, 1475, 1493, 1555, 1561, 1574, 1605 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Alsher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alsher Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Alsher has been spelled Elshener, Elshenar, Elshender, Alshioner, Alesander, Alexander, Aleschunder, Elchyneur, Elzenour, Alshunder, Alshenour, Elshenour, Alexshunder, Alschunder, Alshenour, Alschunder, Alshonder, Alschoner, Alzenhar, Alzenor, Aschenour, Elchuner, Elshinar, Alshonner, Alshinor, Alshonar, Elsher, Elsender, Elshar and many more.

Early Notables of the Alsher family

More information is included under the topic Early Alsher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alsher family to Ireland

Some of the Alsher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alsher family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Alshers to arrive on North American shores: Nicholas Elshie who settled in Connecticut in 1640; Duncan Alexshunder landed in America in 1685; James Eleshundar settled in Virginia in 1670; and Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who colonized Nova Scotia, in Antigonish, Pictou, the Carolinas, Virginia and Upper Canada. Richard H. Alexander, traveled from Ontario with the ".



The Alsher Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


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