Johnston Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Johnston name began, what it means, and how Herald Lab researches a Johnston coat of arms.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Johnston coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Johnston name
Johnston is a habitational surname from Johnstone in Annandale, Dumfriesshire, "John's town", named after an early landholder called John. The Johnstons became a powerful Border family in the Scottish West March. Many Johnstons settled in Ulster during the Plantation, and the name is now among the most common in Northern Ireland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Johnston name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Johnston name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Northern Ireland, Canada and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Johnston pack adds the researched history, early records and migration, with your painted coat of arms ready to print.
Johnston name FAQ
What does the Johnston name mean?
From John's settlement (Johnstone). Common variants include Johnstone, Johnstoun, Johnson.
Where does the Johnston surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Northern Ireland, Canada and the United States.
Is there a Johnston coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Johnston crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Johnston coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).