Early History

The Armstrong family of Kempt Shore, Hants County, Nova Scotia, can trace the roots of it’s family tree all the way back to one of the most influential clans of the Scottish lowlands. The original chief however, is believed to have been of Norman origin for the name of Armstrong is an English translation of the French “Fortinbach” meaning, literally, “Strong Arm”.

Whether Gaelic or French in origin, there is an interesting legend concerning the name handed down in the Armstrong family history.

Legend has it that the founder or the Armstrong border clan was named “Fairbairn”. At that time he was an armor bearer for the King of Scotland. During a fierce battle, the King’s horse was killed from under him.

The armor bearer immediately reached a strong arm to the fallen King and heaved him up on his own horse and galloped off to safety. In gratitude, the King granted the chief a tract of rich land in the western country and conferred on his clan the new name of “Armstrong”. An ancient family crest bears out this legend by showing an armored arm with the hand grasping an armored leg, evidently intended to commorate the deed.

(As an aside….I have heard this legend actually occurred at the “Battle of Hastings” in 1066 A.D., the King that was saved was King William I. WHA)

The legend is born out in the family crest, which shows an armored arm with the hand gripping an armored leg, evidently meant to illustrate the act mentioned.

The family has been located in that western border country since very early times. Located in Eskindale, in the modern shire of Dumfries, this small but warlike clan claimed the traditional right of raiding the northern counties of England. Their frequent raids proved embarrassing to both the Kings of England and Scotland.

The Armstrong family is named as being in possession of Maingertown and other lands in 1376. In 1523 or thereabouts it is said that the Armstrong clan could muster as many as 3000 warriors into battle.

In 1530, James V of Scotland moved against the troublemakers. By treachery he captured the chief of the Armstrongs, who was hanged with many of his followers. Shortly after this, the clan became scattered, many families finding homes in England and Ireland. Andrew Armstrong, the son of the chief, settled in the Irish county of Forganagh. From him are descended the many Irish families of the name. The coat-of-arms of the Irish Armstrong’s is somewhat different than that of the Scottish Armstrong’s.

Many members of the family have served with distinction in the British Army, notably General John Armstrong who founded in 1916 the Royal Arsenal Wool rich, near London.