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![Show Contents]() Byatt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Byatt 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 Byatt familyThe surname Byatt 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 Byatt familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Byatt 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 Byatt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Byatt Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Byard, Byearde, Byatt, Byat, Byart, Boyde, Boid, Boyd and many more. Early Notables of the Byatt 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 Byatt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Byatt family to Ireland
Some of the Byatt 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.
| Byatt migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Byatt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. William Byatt, (b. 1816), aged 18, English labourer who was convicted in Essex, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
- Mr. Rupert Byatt, (b. 1820), aged 20, English agricultural labourer who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Eden" on 8th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1879 4
| Byatt 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: Byatt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Charles Byatt, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1863 5
- Robert Byatt, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1863 5
- Mr. Charles Byatt, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th February 1863 6
- Mr. Robert Byatt, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th February 1863 6
- Thomas Byatt, aged 29, a painter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Byatt (post 1700) | + |
- Dame Antonia "A.S." Byatt DBE (1936-2023), pen name of Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, an English postmodern novelist, poet and Booker Prize winner, one of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945
- Sharon Byatt, British actress, best known for her role as Irenee in Carla Lane's Bread, born in Liverpool
- Joyce Esther Byatt (b. 1937), birth name of Joyce Esther Smith, a British former long-distance runner
- Sir Ian Byatt (b. 1935), British economist, former Director General of the economic regulator of the water industry in England and Wales
- Andy Byatt, English wildlife documentary film producer for the BBC Natural History Unit
- Horace Archer Byatt (1875-1933), British colonial governor, Commissioner of British Somaliland (1911-1914), Governor of Tanganyika (1920-1922), Governor of Trinidad and Tobago (1924-1929)
- Dennis John Byatt (b. 1958), English former football central defender
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
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Byatt migration to Australia 
Byatt migration to New Zealand 
England
Scotland
Ireland
