| ![Show Contents]() Boydstun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Boydstun surname in Scotland is a habitational name, deriving from name of the island of Bute ("Bod," in Gaelic) located in the Firth of Clyde. There was also a family of this name of Norman origin, that was first found in Shropshire where they were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy. Early Origins of the Boydstun familyThe surname Boydstun was first found in Ayrshire, where the first record of the name is Dominus Robertus de Boyd, who witnessed a contract in Irvine, Ayrshire, in 1205. The earliest Boyds were said to be vassals of the De Morevilles in the regality of Largs, and may have originally come north with them from England. "Boyd, Gael, boidh, fair, or yellow haired. A nephew of Walter, first highsteward of Scotland, c. 1160, was known by this appellation, and was an the Lords Boyd, Earls of Arran, and lords Kilmarnoch-a family conspicuous in Scottish history, and now represented by the earl of Errol." 1 Family lore suggests that the surname descends from the family of Walter Fitz Alan, scion of Royal Stewarts of Scotland, who moved his family north to Scotland, became the 1st High Steward of Scotland (c.1150-1177) and held lands in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire. He had a son Simon, who had a son named Robert, who was blond; the Gaelic for which is "buidhe." Records show that a Robert Boyd was a hero at the Battle of Largs in 1263. The Clan built Kilmarnock Castle (renamed Dean Castle, in 1700) in Ayrshire, and it was the primary seat of the Boyd family for over 400 years. It is presumed that the aforementioned Robert de Boyt, a tenant in Ayrshire rendered homage to English King Edward I in 1296 was later taken prisoner in 1306, while assisting Robert the Bruce in the latter's successful attempt to gain control of Scotland. His brother Duncan Boyd was hanged in that same year for his support of Robert the Bruce. 2 A descendant of this Robert Boyd was made Sir Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd in 1454. Lord Boyd became Regent of Scotland for the infant King James III in 1460. In 1468, Boyd negotiated the marriage between the young King James III, and the daughter of the King of Norway and Denmark, thus acquiring control of the Shetland Isles and the Orkneys for Scotland. He was appointed Great Chamberlain for life and Lord Justice General in 1467. But, Lord Boyd fell out of favor with the Royal James family, was found guilty of treason, and fled to Alnwick, Northumberland. Early History of the Boydstun familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boydstun research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1460, 1464, 1466, 1469, 1508, 1536, 1544, 1546, 1549, 1550, 1559, 1563, 1573, 1578, 1580, 1581, 1590, 1601, 1627, 1646, 1654, 1661, 1692, 1704, 1717, 1746, 1758, 1765, 1767, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1822, 1824, 1825, 1839, 1840, 1851, 1856, 1890, 1903, 1912 and 1991 are included under the topic Early Boydstun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Boydstun Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Byard, Byearde, Byatt, Byat, Byart, Boyde, Boid, Boyd and many more. Early Notables of the Boydstun familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Lord Robert Boyd (d. 1469?), Scotch statesman, eldest son of Sir Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock, was created a peer of parliament by James II by the title of Lord Boyd, and took his seat on 18 July 1454; Robert Boyd, 4th Lord Boyd, (d. 1590), son of Robert the third lord who defeated the Earl of Glencairn at Glasgow in 1544; Robert Boyd of Trochrig (1578-1627), Scottish theological writer, the eldest son of James Boyd, Archbishop of Glasgow...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boydstun Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Boydstun family to Ireland
Some of the Boydstun family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Boydstun migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Boydstun Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Elizabeth Boydstun, aged 36, who immigrated to San Francisco in 1914
| Contemporary Notables of the name Boydstun (post 1700) | + |
- Patty Boydstun (b. 1951), American alpine skier at the 1972 Winter Olympics
- John Boydstun, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oklahoma, 2008 3
- Alice Boydstun, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oklahoma, 2008 3
| Historic Events for the Boydstun family | + |
USS Arizona - Mr. Don Jasper Boydstun, American Seaman Second Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 4
- Mr. R. L. Boydstun, American Seaman Second Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 4
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: Confido
Motto Translation: Be trustful
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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Boydstun migration to the United States 
England
Scotland
Ireland
