Archbald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The roots of the name Archbald are in the Boernician clans of ancient Scotland. It is derived from the personal name Arcebold or Arcenbald which means "right bold", "precious bold" or "holy prince". 1

'So frequent was it (Archibald) in the houses of Campbell and Douglas, that, with its contractions of Archie and Baldie, it has become one of the most commonly used in Scotland, recalling many a fierce worthy, from old Archibald Bell-the Cat downwards.' 2

Early Origins of the Archbald family

The surname Archbald was first found in Roxburghshire, about 30 miles southeast of Edinburgh. They had been settled from very ancient times in the Kelso area. Before the name became a surname, there was mention of an "Achebaldus filius Swani de Forgrunde," during the reign of King William, the Lion, of Scotland (1143-1214). 1

"Thomas, the brother of Erkenbaldus, witnessed the gift of the church of Kilmaurs to the Abbey of Kelso before 1189 and Arkembaldus de Duffus was witness to an agreement between the bishop of Moray and John Byseth concerning the churches of Coneway and Dulbatelauch between 1203-1234. Robert Archebalde had a charter of the Hospital of Roxburgh in 1390 from Robert III and John Archibald was a witness in St. Andrews in 1545." 1

Early History of the Archbald family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Archbald research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1390, 1545, 1650, 1785, 1822, 1870 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Archbald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Archbald Spelling Variations

Spelling variations occur frequently in Scottish names that date from the medieval era. They result from a general lack of grammatical rules and the tendency to spell names according to sound. Archbald has been spelled Archbold, Archbald, Archibaldson, Archibald, Archibold, Harchbald, Arkanbaldus, Archebald and many more.

Early Notables of the Archbald family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Archbald Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Archbald family to Ireland

Some of the Archbald family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Archbald migration to Australia +

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

Archbald Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Martha Archbald, aged 24, a domestic servant, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Buffalo" in 1836 3

The Archbald 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: Ut reficiar
Motto Translation: That I may be replenished.

Citations +

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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HMS BUFFALO 1836. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1836Buffalo.htm