Eccles is a Scottish surname with one of the oldest meanings of all — it marks the site of an early church, in a word that reaches back to the first Christian centuries in Britain. It is a locational name with deep roots in the Borders.
Quick answer: Eccles is a Scottish locational surname from places of the name — notably Eccles in Berwickshire — derived from an old Brittonic word, related to Latin ecclesia, meaning “church.”
Where Does the Eccles Name Come From?
The name comes from a place called Eccles, the best known being the village of Eccles in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. The place-name itself is remarkably old: it derives from a Brittonic word related to the Latin ecclesia, “church,” and names of this kind mark the sites of early Christian churches dating back to the British-speaking centuries before the Anglo-Saxons. Eccles in Berwickshire was later the site of a medieval priory, continuing its long religious association.
Families connected with such a place took the name, and from its Borders base Eccles spread among Scottish families and travelled overseas in later generations.
Own a Piece of Eccles Heritage
The Eccles name appears across a small range of keepsakes — a crest mug for daily use, an outdoor garden flag, and a Christmas ornament — each pairing the family name with a tartan-background crest design.
Popular Eccles gifts: Crest Mug · Garden Flag · Ornament
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eccles Name
What nationality is the Eccles surname?
Eccles is Scottish, a locational name associated especially with Berwickshire in the Borders.
What does the Eccles name mean?
It comes from an old Brittonic word related to Latin ecclesia, “church,” marking the site of an early church.
Is Eccles Scottish or English?
Places named Eccles occur in both, but our Eccles heritage range reflects the Scottish Borders name.
Is Eccles a clan?
No. Eccles is a locational surname rather than a clan with its own chief.
If you're proud of your Eccles heritage, you can explore gifts and home décor featuring the Eccles name by using the search bar above.
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