Show ContentsSpotswude History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Spotswude family

The surname Spotswude was first found in Berwickshire where "the name is derived from the barony of Spottiswoode. The family were benefactors to the Abbeys of Melrose and Kelso in early times. The immediate ancestor or Spottiswoode, still 'of that Ilk,' was Robert de Spottiswood, who was born in the reign of King Alexander III., and died in that of Robert Bruce. " 1

Early History of the Spotswude family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spotswude research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1510, 1513, 1565, 1567, 1585, 1596, 1597, 1637, 1639, 1645, 1646, 1666, 1676, 1710, 1728, 1740 and 1923 are included under the topic Early Spotswude History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spotswude Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spottiswood, Spottiswode, Sportwode, Sportwood, Spotswood and many more.

Early Notables of the Spotswude family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was John Spottiswoode (1565-1639), Archbishop of St Andrews, Primate of All Scotland and historian of Scotland. James Spottiswood (1567-1645), was Bishop of Clogher, born at Calder in Scotland, the second son of John Spottiswood (1510-1585.) He was younger brother of John Spottiswood (1565-1637), Archbishop of St. Andrews. His father was a Scottish reformer, second son of William Spottiswood of Spottiswood who was killed at Flodden in 1513. Sir Robert Spottiswoode Lord Newabbey (1596-1646), was a Scottish lawyer and second...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Spotswude Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Spotswude family to Ireland

Some of the Spotswude family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Spotswude family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: F. Spotswood who settled in San Francisco in 1851; A. Sportwode settled in New York in 1820; Anna Spotswood, aged 27, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1905.



The Spotswude 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: Patior ut potiar
Motto Translation: I suffer that I may obtain.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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