This is a Scottish locational name, deriving from the Gledstanes in the former county of Lanarkshire (now part of the upper Clydesdale region). The name derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "gleoda" meaning a "kite" or "glede" and "stan" a stone. (The stones and rocks of this region were frequented by these birds of prey). The surname from this source is first recorded in the latter half of the 18th Century. In 1356 one, Sir William of Gledstanes was present at the battle of Poitiers. On February 10th 1835 a Sir John Gladstone obtained a royal licence to change his name from Gladstones to Gladstone. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Herbert de Gledstan or Gledestane, of Lanark. which was dated 1296, He took a note of fealty to King Edward 1. during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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