Earlston is a civil parish and market town in the area of Berwickshire, within the Scottish Borders. It is on the River Leader in Lauderdale, Scotland. Earlston was initially called Arcioldun or Prospect Fort, with reference to Black Hill (1,003 feet (306 m)), on the top of which can still be mapped the concentric rings of the British fort for which it was named. It is also stated to be possible to construct out the remains of the cave-dwellings of the Votadini, the tribal confederation in this part of Scotland. In the 12th as well as 13th centuries the Lindsays and the Earls of March and also Dunbar were the chief baronial households. Also of historic interest is the ivy-clad spoil of the Rhymer's Tower, a keep claimed to day from as early as the 13th century. It is the conventional home of Thomas Learmonth, commonly called Thomas of Ercildoune, or Thomas the Rhymer, poet, prophet, as well as epic good friend of the Elves, who was born here about 1225, more probable in a small house which came before the later Tower-house. Citizens of very early Earlston (Earlstons) have actually given that spread out afar, with some taking a trip to the USA of America in the very early 1800s. But the substantial majority of Earlstons (surname) have taken residence in the Black Country, West Midlands in England. Taking a trip to the Black Country in the very early 1700s, they have actually established a solid house, controlled by middle child of the Earlston 3 siblings, Lord Dale.