Our Ervin Crest and Coat of Arms
The Ervin Crest that appears on our Home page and above came from a plaque that hung on my family room wall when I was a child. And as Dennis points out does not accurately represent the "true" Coat of Arms associated with Scottish Ervin (Irvine) Clan crest, which is true. I believe that this plaque was a gift to our family at some point as the text that goes with it is very broad in nature.
This writing says this:
" The Ervin Coat of Arms illustrated left was drawn by an heraldic artist from information officially recorded in ancient heraldic archives. Documentation for the Ervin Coat of Arms design can be found in Rietstap Armorial General. Heraldic artists of old developed their own unique language to describe an individual Coat of Arms. In their language, the Arms (shield) is as follows: "De gu. a la fasce ondee d'arg."
When translated the blazon also describes the orginal colors of the Ervin Arms as it appeared centuries ago.
Family mottos are believed to have orginated as battle cries in medieval times. A Motto was not recorded with this Ervin Coat of Arms.
Individual surnames originated for the purpose of more specific identification. The four primary sources for second names were occupation, location, father's name, or personal characteristics. The surname Ervin appears to be patronymical in origin, and is believed to be associated with the English and German, meaning, "descendant of Erwinne or Eorwine (sea, friend)."
Different spellings of the same original surname are a common occurence. Dictionaries of surnames indicate probable spelling variations of Ervin to be Erven, Erwin, and Ervand. Although bearer's of the old and distinguished Ervin name comprise a small fraction of the population there are a number who have established for it a significant place in history. They include:
John ERVIN (Erwin) (1244-1318) German architect, engaged (with his son, namesake, and successor, JOHN ERWIN) in construction of part of Strasbourg Cathedral (1277-1339).
George William ERVIN (Erving) (1769-1850) Diplomat. Agent for claims and appeals of American seaman, London, England. U.S. Minister to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1811, and U.S. Minister to Spain, and largely responsible for the Florida Boundary Treaty with Spain.
James ERVIN (1778-1841) Congressman. Admitted to the Bar in 1800, Pedee, South Carolina. Member of Representatives (1800-1804); Solicitor for the Northern Judicial Circuit; Judge (1804-1816); and, a Senator between 1826 and 1829.
William Gage ERVIN (Erving) (1877-1923) Surgeon. Professor of orthopedic surgery for Harvard University, and orthopedic surgeon to Providence Children's Georgetown University Hospital.
Robert Gallaudet ERVIN (d. 1906) Railway official and lawyer. President of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. President of the Winston and Bone Valley Railway Company, and Director of the Louisville and Nashville Railway Company.
Lee ERVIN (Erwin) (b.1908) Composer in Huntsville, Alabama. Composer of "Mighty Navy Wings", "Mariner's Song", and "Hello, Sunshine."
No genealogical representation is intended or implied by this report and it does not represent individual lineage or family tree."
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Clan Crest and Coat of Arms
Amy and Kathie,
It was never my intention to denigrate anyone's background in or knowledge of the Ervin family history or it's European connections. When I started this work myself almost 15 years ago we knew only that my great grandfather Ervin used to sing in Gaelic while hunting or working and that we were all indeed Scottish. The Jackson County Ervin's whom I have met all know that we are of Scottish origin and that Drum Castle is a large part of our background. We are known to be connected with the famous Senator of Watergate fame, who, himself, traces his roots to Scotland.
I have, in fact, seen the Heraldry that hung on your family's wall all those years. This same placque was offered to my family as a historic reference. This was considered to be out of line with what we knew and my father refused it. All I know is every researcher with whom I have come in contact readily accepts the Scottish tradition and background. All this information can be found in 'Burke's Landed Gentry at OHS. Sorry to have presumed. - Dennis Ervin
Dennis, I wasn't offended by
Dennis,
I wasn't offended by your comments at all, so please no need to apologize. I appreciate everyone's input into these discussions. Having said that, however, I do not feel the need to associate myself with the Drum Castle and I can't assume that I am connected to that heritage without proof. What I consider to be proof may be completely different from what you may consider proof, and that's okay.
Would it be really cool if someday we were able to tie into that? Sure, but I'm not holding my breath.
I'd first like to prove that YOU and I, along with the other Ervin men on this list are part of the same Ervin family and the only way to do that is through DNA testing. Then we can move backward and try to trace our common roots as far as history will allow us.
Amy
The Family Crest
King Malcolm II of Scotland had three daughters and no sons. His eldest daughter, Bethoc, was married to the Senescal of Kings Rents, the Athbane of Dule, Duncan Erivine. Their son, also named Duncan, was named King on the death of Malcolm II, his grandfather in 1004A.D. Within a few years, the son of Malcolm's second daughter and Duncan's first cousin named McBeth (yes, that McBeth) killed Duncan and assumed the throne. Duncan's three sons, including Malcolm his eldest, fled to the north of England and lived with Lord McDuff. When Malcolm came of age 17 years later, he raised an army and invaded Scotland (Lead on, McDuff). Two years later, he defeated and slew McBeth in battle. Soon after, he defeated and slew McBeth's son, Lulach. Malcolm III ruled Scotland until 1093 A.D. This line of Erivine kings ruled Scotland until the death of Alexander III in 1295 AD and his daughter, the princess of Norway. It was William Wallace who next took up the cause of Scottish freedom as depicted in 'Braveheart' following the death of King Alexander, against the tyranny of Edward I of the Longshanks.
Duncan, the father of the slain King Duncan, had two brothers. One of these married a Norman princess in 1018 and established the Towers of Bonshaw as the Erivine home. Following the demise of William Wallace, it was Robert the Bruce who took up the fight for freedom for Scots against Edward I of the Longshanks. In searching for allies that he could trust, Robert came to Bonshaw castle, the home of his kinsmen, and recruited William De Irwyn as his armor bearer and clerk register. Robert was heir-apparent to the throne of Scotland, being an Irvine through the female side of the line. Shortly after, Robert was put to flight on foot by his enemies and, once the chase had ended, fell asleep beneath a Holly Tree while his inner circle and entourage stood gaurd over him. Holly leaves have beeen a part of the clan crest for any of the Irvines from that time.
Edward I died of TB on the way north to meet Robert and Edward II took up the cause of the English. Robert the Bruce and his army met Edward II at a place called Bannockburn (Bannock Creek) in 1314. Robert destroyed the English army and liberated all of Scotland. King Robert awarded to William de Irwyn Drum Castle and the Royal Forest of Oaks that surround it, in 1323. Robert ruled until 1329 when he died of leprosy.
Aattached is the crest of Bonshaw. 'Haud Ullis Labentia Ventis' means 'Standing steadfast against the wind'. Attached also is the Family Crest of Drum. 'Sub sole sub umbra verens' means 'flourishing in both sun and shade'. The family crest which appears at the top of this page is used by Halberts to sell T-shirts, coffee mugs and mouse pads, and has nothing to do with our family history as described in detail in 'Burke's Landed Gentry' in the OHS library.