Show ContentsAbirnethey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Abirnethey family inherits a name that was first used by the Scottish tribe known as the Picts. The first family to use the name Abirnethey lived at the place named Abernethy in southeastern Perthshire. The place name is of Pictish origin, meaning "mouth of the river Nethy." [1]

Early Origins of the Abirnethey family

The surname Abirnethey was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland at Abernethy, a parish that " derives its name from Aber, signifying in Gaelic, in conjunction with Nethy, the 'termination of Nethy' which is descriptive of the situation of the church, near the entrance of that river into the Spey." [1]

The Abernethy family appear in ancient records as lay abbots of the Culdee Monastery of Abernethy in Strathearn in the 12th century. "This would seem to show that they were descended from original native stock and not of Saxon or Norman origin. The first of the Abernethys on record is Hugh, who appears to have died about the middle of the twelfth century. His son Orm probably succeeded his father as lay abbot. He appears as witness to a charter by Emulphus or Arnold, bishop of St. Andrews, granted before 1162. He also witnessed a charter of William the Lion. He is the first of the family found bearing the territorial appellation de Abernethy.' It is conjectured that he may have given name to the lands of Ormiston (c. 1160, Ormystone), an estate contiguous to that of Salton, East Lothian, with which his descendants became identified in after days, though Orm was not an uncommon name in those early days. Between 1189 and 1196 King William the Lion granted the church of Abernethy to the Abbey of Arbroath, while about the same time Lawrence, son of Orm de Abirnythy. conveys to the church and monks of Arbroath his whole right "in the advowson of the church of Abernethy". He retained the land and position of dominus' or Lord of Abernethy." [2]

Early History of the Abirnethey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abirnethey research. Another 414 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1228, 1264, 1295, 1296, 1320, 1338, 1351, 1358, 1380, 1399, 1407, 1424, 1426, 1465, 1560, 1596, 1609, 1641, 1644, 1680, 1740, 1764, 1765, 1831 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Abirnethey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abirnethey Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Abirnethey has appeared Abernethy, Anernethie, Abernathy, Abernathie, Albirnyth, Abirnethie, Abernettie and many more.

Early Notables of the Abirnethey family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Abernethy (1764-1831), an eminent surgeon, "born in London 3 April 1764, the son of John Abernethy, a London merchant belonging to an Irish family of Scotch extraction, whose father and grandfather, both of the same name, were Irish nonconformist divines, the second in descent especially...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Abirnethey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Abirnethey family to Ireland

Some of the Abirnethey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 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 Abirnethey family

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Abirnethey: John Abernathy who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767; William and Anne Abernathy settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850; Robert Abernethy arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1871..



The Abirnethey 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: In Christo salus
Motto Translation: Salvation is in Christ.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)


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