This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Ormiston,' the town or stead of Orme, the first settler (v. Orme), a parish in Haddingtonshire, also a locality in Roxburghshire. The 't' is intrusive, just as 'a' is intrusive in Greenaway, which see.

1733. Married — John Slamaker and Eleanor Ormaston: St. George, Hanover Square.

This surname is of two-fold origin: (1) from Ormiston, East Lothian, and (2) from Ormiston in Roxberghshire. Local pronunciation is Wurmston. In a charter anted by Earl Henry between 1147-52 to e canons of Jedburgh, mention is made of a 'toun Orm son of Eylav' (Morton, p. 56). In a footnote (p. 49) Morton says there are many families in Scotland of this name, probably from this Orm, and a family of Ormiston was long settled at Old Melrose. Alan de Ormyston witnessed a charter by Hugh Rydale dominus de Craneston a. 1200 (Neubotle, 12), and Walter de Dormeston (i.e. d'Ormeston) was witness to a charter by Walter Olifard junior (SHR., II, p. 175). Alanus de Hormiston witnessed confirmation by Alexander filius Walteri of his father's gifts to the church of Paisley, 1239 (RMP., p. 225). As Alan de Ormystoun he witnessed the gift of Swaynyston to the House of Soltre between 1238-70, and the gift of Qwhytwel to the same House (Soltre, p. 28), and about 1289 he attested a charter by Patrick, earl of Dunbar (May, 22). Gilbert of Ormeston was assizer at Traqueyr in 1274 (Bain, II, 34) Henri de Ormestone of Edinberghshire rendered homage in 1296 and was juror on an inquest at Berwick the same year (Bain, II, p. 201,215). Alice, widow of Aleyn de Ormestone of Edinburghshire, rendered homage, 1296. Her seal bears the legend S' Agnetis de Ormistvn (Bain, II, p. 198,534). John de Ormestone of Roxburghshire also rendered homage, 1296. His seal bears a pelican feeding young on nest. S' Joh'is de Ormiston (Bain, p. 199,544). John de Hormiston between 1306—29 granted to the monks of Melrose all the land which he had in the territory or the town of Lessidewyn (Melros, p. 379). Andrew de Ormeston, styled 'familiaris David de Bruys' had a safe conduct from the king of England in 1359 (Rot. Scot., I, p. 336), and Andrew de Ormystoun witnessed a charter of land of Longneuton, c. 1377 (RHM., II, 4), and Alan of Ormyston, a Scots prisoner of war in the Tower of London, was liberated, 1413 (Bain, IV, 839). There was deadly feud between Ormestoune of that Ilk and Ker of Cessford in 1564 (Trials, III, p. 393), and several Ormistons were forfeited for treason in 1592. Ormiestone 1662, Ormston 1766, Ormstone 1675; Wormyston, Wyrmyston.

A parish in Haddingtonshire, and a place in Roxburghshire.

Local. The town or village of elms.