Show ContentsBatterson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the Scottish west coast, the Batterson family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the personal name Patrick.

Early Origins of the Batterson family

The surname Batterson was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of Ross. The ancestral home of the Clan Pheadirean (Patersons) was on the north side of Lochfyne. Moving from the Gaelic into English spellings resulted in the typical wide range of surname spellings. By example, William Patrison and John Patonson, a 'gentillmen,' were witnesses in Aberdeen in 1446, Donald Patyrson was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1494, Robert Patersoun was 'capitane of ane were schip of Dundee' in 1544, Fyndlay Patersoun had a tack of the lands of Owar Elrik from the Abbey of Cupar in 1557, and so on. 1

Early History of the Batterson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Batterson research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1604, 1632, 1658, 1679, 1691, 1700, 1706, 1708, 1719, 1727 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Batterson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Batterson Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Batterson has appeared as Patterson, Paterson, Pattersen, Patteson, Pattison and many more.

Early Notables of the Batterson family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was John Paterson (1604-1679), Bishop of Ross; John Paterson (1632-1708), the last Archbishop of Glasgow, Bishop of Galloway, Bishop of Edinburgh; and William Pattison (1706-1727), an English poet. Sir William Paterson (1658-1719), a Scottish trader and banker, one of the founders of the Bank of England. One story claims "he came from Scotland...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Batterson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Batterson family to Ireland

Some of the Batterson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Batterson migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Batterson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Batterson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anthony Batterson, who landed in Connecticut in 1723 2

Australia Batterson migration to Australia +

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

Batterson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Batterson, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

New Zealand Batterson 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:

Batterson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Isaac Batterson, (b. 1856), aged 19, English carter from Northampton travelling from London aboard the ship "Waimate" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th December 1875 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Batterson (post 1700) +

  • James Goodwin Batterson (1823-1901), American designer and builder, founder of Travelers Insurance Company in 1863
  • George "Dim" Wilder Batterson (1881-1935), early American NFL professional football coach with the Buffalo Bisons and Rangers
  • John Batterson Stetson Jr. (1884-1952), American politician, U.S. Minister to Poland, 1925-29 5


The Batterson 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: Pro Rege et grege
Motto Translation: For King and people.


  1. 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)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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