Coat of Arms: A blue shield with a silver cross calvary charged on the dexter side by a sun, and on the sinister side by a crescent.


Crest: A gold estoile.

Motto: Auxilium meum a domino.
Translated: My help is from the Lord.

Clan: Martin     Sept:  Cameron, MacDonald

French
Origins

"MARTIN / MacMARTIN: As surnames, both forms are found throughout the whole of Scotland, with the latter most common in the West, and the former, with some notable exceptions, more frequent in the East. It is generally conceded that both forms had their origin in some distant ancestor being a devotee of, or deriving from some place associated with St Martin. Such origin would explain the widespread occurrence of the name throughout the western world and, therefore, Scottish ancestry should not be assumed on the evidence of the name alone. Genealogical or geographical association with Scotland is required to establish such origin. In Scotland, the name can be traced to the 12th century when the name 'de St Martin' was that of a family of considerable importance in the Lothians, and at least two 'Martins' were associated with the court of William the Lion (1165-1214). By the 15th/16th centuries an 'old' family of the name were established in St Andrews, Fife - one of whom was secretary to Archbishop Sharp. The Martins in Skye are traditionally associated with Clan Donald, although one of their number, Martin Martin (d.1719), author of one of the earliest topographical writings on the Hebrides, was factor to the neighbouring Macleods. 

[con't cell at right]

The name is also linked to the Camerons by the fact that the MacMartins of Letterfinlay in Lochaber were an ancient race who later went to make up the Clan Cameron as we know it.
Sadly, the name in these parts is now much depleted - many probably took the name Cameron. MacMartin is also found in the records as 'Mac Gillemartin' - the 'gille' part emphasising devotion to the saint. The distribution of this form, extending from Galloway through Ayrshire to Lorne and Skye, with an inland spread to Breadalbane and Lochaber, accords with route taken by the spread of Christianity throughout Highland Scotland. No CHIEF has ever been established so, consequently, the TARTAN, CREST and MOTTO of the Camerons areapplicable."

Thanks to James Pringle Weavers for the  information

Query from: Myron Martin
"I have friends by the name of Martin (Pennsylvania dutch pronunciation MAUDI) who came from Scotland while my ancestors came over from Germany/Holland/Switzerland after the reformation in Europe, some with Wm Penn, in fact according to a brother-in-law virtually every "MARTIN" in Waterloo county who have now spread to many other areas can trace their ancestry to only TWO Martins who came from Lancaster County in Pennsylvania to Waterloo County in the late 1700's.

    My question is, do you have any information on the origin of this name and whether it could possibly be one of the many Jewish names that was "changed' to avoid persecution in earlier times. Certainly the record is that my ancesters DID migrate to seek religious freedom due to persecution in Europe. If you have any information I would appreciate your responding."

[Con't in cell at right]

Myron, here are a few of the Jewish spellings of your surname Martin: