Show ContentsBathgate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Bathgate surname is thought to derive from a place name in West Lothian, Scotland.

Early Origins of the Bathgate family

The surname Bathgate was first found in West Lothian, Scotland, at Bathgate a town 5 miles (8 km) west of Livingston. People have lived in the area since about 3500 BC. The town was confirmed in a charter by King Malcolm IV of Scotland (1141-1165) and has been listed as Bathchet (1160), Bathket (1250) and Bathgetum (1316) and later in the 15th century as both Bathgat and Bathcat.

Early History of the Bathgate family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bathgate research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1287 and 1312 are included under the topic Early Bathgate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bathgate Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bathgate, Batgate, Baggat, Baggate, Bathgat, Bathget and many more.

Early Notables of the Bathgate family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Sir Adam Bathgate, Chief of the Clan


United States Bathgate migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bathgate Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Adam Bathgate who settled in Virginia in 1693
Bathgate Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Flora Bathgate, aged 22, who arrived in America, in 1895
Bathgate Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Adam Bathgate, aged 79, who arrived in America from Ano Stevenston, Scotland, in 1907
  • David Bathgate, aged 16, who arrived in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • Isabella Bathgate, aged 8, who arrived in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • Jane Bathgate, aged 37, who arrived in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • John Bathgate, aged 40, who arrived in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Bathgate migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bathgate Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Robert D. Bathgate, aged 60, who arrived in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1908
  • Annie Bathgate, aged 22, who arrived in Toronto, Canada, in 1916

Australia Bathgate migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bathgate Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Jane Bathgate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1839 [1]
  • Margaret Bathgate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1839 [1]

New Zealand Bathgate migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bathgate Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles Bathgate, aged 40, a joiner, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Helenslee" in 1864 [2]
  • Barbara Bathgate, aged 40, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Helenslee" in 1864 [2]
  • Charles Bathgate, aged 2, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Helenslee" in 1864 [2]
  • Mr. G. S. Bathgate, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Edward Bouverie" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 10th August 1870 [3]
  • Hon. J. Bathgate, American settler travelling from San Francisco aboard the ship "Nebraska" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1873 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Bathgate (post 1700) +

  • Chris Bathgate (b. 1982), American indie folk singer-songwriter and musician
  • Andrew James "Andy" Bathgate (1932-2016), Canadian professional NHL hockey player who played 17 seasons from Winnipeg, Manitoba, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978
  • James Loughrin Bathgate, Canadian co-founder of Scott-Bathgate Limited, a foodstuff manufacturer known for is Nutty Club products in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1903
  • Alexander Bathgate (1845-1930), New Zealand lawyer, company director, writer and conservationist
  • Frank Bathgate (b. 1930), retired Canadian ice hockey centre for the New York Rangers
  • John Bathgate (1809-1886), New Zealand politician, Minister of Justice (1872-1874) and Commissioner of Stamps (1872 to 1874)
  • Alec Bathgate, New Zealand musician, key member of The Enemy and Toy Love


The Bathgate Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vive ut vivas
Motto Translation: Live that you may live for ever


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ORLEANA 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Orleana.htm
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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