Sloss, Assloss, Auchincloss

[DalmellingtonScot]

My father arrived in the U.S in the early 1900's directly from Dalmellington, Ayrshire. His family resided in that area, according to my research for two centuries (+/-). We have one Aunt still living, in Pennsylvania, where the family immigrated to, who tells us there are no Sloss left in Ayrshire and possibly all of Scotland! We are traveling this May to Scotland in honor of my father, who was unable to return before he died, and would like to find any relatives that may still be in Scotland. We will be staying in Aberfeldy and are willing to travel to meet anyone who would assist us in our genealogical quest to find the origin of the name, if we are of Nordic, Pict (as my father believed) or Viking (I'm wondering, due to a congenital defect of an Aunt), and if a clan ever claimed the Sloss or if they were "loners".
Thanks for any and all information.

[kaz34]

There are still plenty of Sloss families in Scotland. I am tracing my Sloss family tree and so far have discovered four branches of Sloss who do not at the moment seem to be related. There are still some in Ayrshire just now. My family are from the Bridgeton area of Glasgow but according to what I have been told I will eventually trace them back to Ayrshire. Let me know what info you want and I will help if I can.

[DalmellingtonScot]

We are on our way to Scotland this Friday and will be visiting Ayrshire. We hope to discover a bit more of our particular branch. We will be happy to relate any new info should you like.

For the moment we are curious as to if you have any knowledge as to the connection between surnames Assloss and Sloss? I have read, Auchincloss is spoken as Assloss.

Until next time.

Warm Regard,
W. Sloss

[kaz34]

I have some info somewhere about the Sloss name and its variations but can't find it at the moment, I am inundated with pieces of paper. I have found some things I was sent by a Sloss originally from Dalmellington. His family tree starts off with a William Sloss b.1735 in Dalmellington who married Mary Wight on March 15th 1754.There is a farm outside Dalmellington called Minevey where a Robert Sloss was the farmer, but I do not know if it is still lived in. Is any of this any use to you?

[DalmellingtonScot]

My Grandfather, James Sloss, also farmed at Minevey until bringing his family to the U.S. When we return I will pull out the files and see if you can fill in some holes and possibly we could do the same for you.

[Marhar]

I searched the 1881 census to see how many Sloss's were living in Scotland at that time, in the Highland region there were 36 about 20 of them were Irish born. The Lowland Region there were 157 mainly in Ayrshire. Of the name Asloss.... nil. Auchinsloss there were only 30 mainly in Glasgow and Ayrshire.

In 1881 the farmer at Minnivey farm was a Robert Hamilton,aged 51, his wife Jane aged 45 and 7 children from age 20 down to 1 year.

Marhar

[keeplooking]

The Sloss surname is tied to Assloss & Auchincloss by Black in his 'Surnames of scotland'. There's no indication of a definite link simply evidence in old documents for the gradual development of the surname through spelling variations.

The Sloss surname in Scotland is predominantly Scottish although I have seen at least one family in the 1901 census that would suggest that this is not necessarily a given.

The Sloss surname worldwide also reflects the anglicisation of a variety of other surnames.

No Sloss clan exists but I have seen the surname Assloss listed as a defunct sept of the Boyd Clan. Just outside Kilmarnock there is 'Assloss Farm' one of whose buildings was fortified is referred to in one document as 'a tour and fortalice'.

If your looking for places to find other researchers interested in the same surname then as well as here you could also try the Sloss surname forums of genealogy.com and ancestry.com, for scottish bmds http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk, for a free search http://www.familysearch.org.

Those looking at Minnivey farm may also like to check http://www.scottishdocuments.com as the testament/inventory of Robert Sloss can be found there (for a price) if memory serves.

Good luck in your searches.