Estes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the Anglo-Normans began to settle in Ireland, they initially ignored the established Gaelic system for developing of patronymic names, and relied on their own traditional naming practices. Eventually, however, the two differing customs drew upon one another to some degree. The Anglo-Normans, unlike their Gaelic neighbors, frequently used nicknamesurnames. These Anglo-Norman nicknames were frequently of two types: “oath names” and “imperative names.” Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer’s occupations. The nick name surname Estes is derived from a nickname for a Iustas, indicating a fruitful person. This perhaps refers to someone with many offspring, or with extraordinary agricultural or material wealth. The Latin form Eustachius was originally derived from a Greek word which means fruitful. 

While the majority of the family emigrated to England and then many to Ireland, but not all as we found the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists William Eustachius in Normandy 1198. [1]

“The family, settled in Ireland under Henry II., were of Norman descent.” [2]

Early Origins of the Estes family

The surname Estes was first found in Kildare (Irish:Cill Dara), ancient homeland of the Kildare based Uí Dúnlainge (Kings of Leinster), located in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Eustace (died 1215) was Bishop of Ely, ecclesiastic and statesman. “He secured the confidence of Henry I and of Richard I. He became vice-chancellor and keeper of the royal seal, and ultimately chancellor. He was also Dean of Salisbury. At that period all the chief posts in the church of York and its suffragan sees were, as a rule, employed to provide for royal officials. During the suspension of Geoffrey, Archbishop of York, by the Pope, in 1195, Richard appointed Eustace in 1196, Treasurer of York, on the death of Bouchard de Puiset, and in the same year gave him the enormous and lucrative archdeaconry of Richmond.” [3]

While the majority of the family are from Ireland, we need to take a moment again to explore the English side of the story. Here the family come from “Fitz Eustace et Eustacy, presumably Eustace. Two great Barons of this name are entered in Domesday ; Eustachius Comes, the Count of Boulogne (see Abbeville), and Eustachius Vicecomes, the Sheriff of Huntingdon, whose ‘evil deeds,’ according to Freeman, ‘stand out clearly in the Survey. In the entries of Eustace’s own lands, we find English owners, and also the Countess Judith, complaining of his seizures.’ This Eustace, who founded a small Priory at Huntingdon, is called by Camden Eustace de Lovetoft, though he does not appear in the pedigree given by Hunter of the Hallamshire Lovetots.” [4]

Indeed there is more. For the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Adam filius Eustace, Cambridgeshire; Henry filius Ewstace, Huntingdonshire; and Richard Eustase, Cambridgeshire. [5]

Early History of the Estes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estes research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1454, 1585, 1480, 1549, 1505, 1578, 1580, 1590, 1665, 1693, 1581, 1665 and 1496 are included under the topic Early Estes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Estes Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Eustace, Eustice, Eustes, Eustach, Eustis and others.

Early Notables of the Estes family (pre 1700)

Prominent amongst the family at this time was Thomas Eustace (c. 1480-1549), 1st Viscount Baltinglass; his son Rowland Eustace (1505-1578), 2nd Viscount Baltinglass; James Eustace 3rd Viscount Baltinglass who defeated Lord Gray in 1580; Sir Maurice Eustace (c.1590-1665), an Irish politician and judge; Sir Maurice Eustace, 1st Baronet (died 1693) of Castle Martin, County Kildare; Maurice Eustace (d. 1581), an Irish… 
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Estes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Estes Ranking

In the United States, the name Estes is the 707^th most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. [6]

 Estes migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Estes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Matthew Estes, who arrived in New Hampshire in 1676 [7]

Estes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Jean Estes, who settled in New York in 1832
• Jane Estes, who arrived in New York, NY in 1832
• Elisabethe Estes, who settled in New York in 1832
• Cretiers Estes, who settled in New York in 1832
• J. M. Estes, who settled in New Orleans in 1850
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Estes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Louisa Estes, who arrived in Kansas in 1900