| ![Show Contents]() Arbuthnott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland England The annals of Scottish history reveal that Arbuthnott was first used as a name by descendants of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Arbuthnott family lived in the old barony of Arbuthnot in Kincardineshire where the name was found since very early times. As surname usage became more prevalent in the 11th century, names based on the name of the localisty of the bearer where quite common. The first bearer of this name on record was Hugh de Aberbothenoth, also known as "Dominus" and "Thanus" de Aberbuthenoth, who lived in the time of King William I, the Lion of Scotland (1143-1214.) Early Origins of the Arbuthnott familyThe surname Arbuthnott was first found in the county of Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of Scotland, and part of the Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, from very ancient times, being from the old barony of Arbuthnot. 1 2 3 "The first of the name in record appears to have been Hugh de Aberbothenoth, who flourished in the reign of William the Lion, and was variously designated 'Dominus' and 'Thanus' de Aberbuthenoth. He obtained his lands from Walter Olifard, son or nephew of Osbert Olifard, sheriff of the Mearns, who died before 1206." 1 In 1150, Hugh Arbuthnot obtained the lands from William Olifard in a dispute with then sheriff of Mearns. He is the first recorded Chief, although it is contended that the Clan records go back to 1105 A.D. "Philip de Arbuthnott who succeeded in 1335 (or 1355) appears to have been the first designated dominus ejusdem, 'of that Ilk.'" 1 He was directly descended from the aforementioned Hugh Arbuthnot. "In the early part of the eighteenth century the Arbuthnets are described as 'the most thriving name' in Peterhead." 1 Arbuthnott is a small village in northeast Scotland, 26 miles south of Aberdeen. Early History of the Arbuthnott familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arbuthnott research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1105, 1150, 1335, 1538, 1583, 1585, 1625, 1641, 1654, 1655, 1667, 1674, 1682, 1689, 1702, 1705, 1707, 1721, 1735 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Arbuthnott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Arbuthnott Spelling VariationsDuring the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Arbuthnott include Arbutnott, Arbuthnott, Arbuthnet, Arbuthnett, Arbuthnoth, Arbutton, Arbothnet, Erbutnott and many more. Early Notables of the Arbuthnott familyNotable amongst the Clan at this time was - Robert Arbuthnot (c.1625-1655), created 1st Viscount of Arbuthnott in 1641 by Charles I of England, a Scottish Peer and Privy Counsellor
- Robert Arbuthnot, 2nd Viscount of Arbuthnott (d. 1682)
Migration of the Arbuthnott familyScots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Arbuthnott: John Arbuthnot who settled in Philadelphia in 1747; James and William Arbutton settled in Philadelphia in 1798 as well as James Arbuthnot, who came to Maryland in 1864..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Arbuthnott (post 1700) | + |
- "John" Keith Oxley Arbuthnott (b. 1950), 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- "Robert" Keith Arbuthnott (1897-1966), 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- John Ogilvy Arbuthnott (1882-1960), 14th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- Walter Charles Warner Arbuthnott (1847-1920), 13th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- William Arbuthnott (1849-1917), 12th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- David Arbuthnott (1845-1914), 11th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- John Arbuthnott (1843-1895), 10th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- John Arbuthnott (1806-1891), 9th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- John Arbuthnott (1778-1860), 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott
- Sir John Peebles Arbuthnott (b. 1939), Scottish microbiologist, Principal of the University of Strathclyde (1991-2000)
- ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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: Laus Deo
Motto Translation: Praise be to God.
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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