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 nickname surnames. 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