The ancient Pictish-Scottish family that first used the name Abouthnett lived in the old barony of Arbuthnot in
Kincardineshire where the name was found since very early times. As surname usage became more prevalent in the 11th century, names based on the name of the localisty of the bearer where quite common. The first bearer of this name on record was Hugh de Aberbothenoth, also known as "Dominus" and "Thanus" de Aberbuthenoth, who lived in the time of King William I, the Lion of
Scotland (1143-1214.)
Early Origins of the Abouthnett family
The surname Abouthnett was first found in the county of
Kincardineshire (Gaelic: A' Mhaoirne), a former county on the northeast coast of the Grampian region of
Scotland, and part of the
Aberdeenshire Council Area since 1996, from very ancient times, being from the old barony of Arbuthnot.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print."The first of the name in record appears to have been Hugh de Aberbothenoth, who flourished in the reign of William the Lion, and was variously designated 'Dominus' and 'Thanus' de Aberbuthenoth. He obtained his lands from Walter Olifard, son or nephew of Osbert Olifard, sheriff of the Mearns, who died before 1206." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
In 1150, Hugh Arbuthnot obtained the lands from William Olifard in a dispute with then sheriff of Mearns. He is the first recorded Chief, although it is contended that the Clan records go back to 1105 A.D. "Philip de Arbuthnott who succeeded in 1335 (or 1355) appears to have been the first designated dominus ejusdem, 'of that Ilk.'" [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) He was directly descended from the aforementioned Hugh Arbuthnot.
"In the early part of the eighteenth century the Arbuthnets are described as 'the most thriving name' in Peterhead." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
Arbuthnott is a small village in northeast Scotland, 26 miles south of Aberdeen.
Early History of the Abouthnett family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abouthnett research.
Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1105, 1335, 1667, 1735, 1920, 1625, 1655, 1641, 1654, 1705, 1689, 1702, 1682, 1674, 1721, 1707, 1654, 1705, 1689, 1702, 1667 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Abouthnett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Abouthnett Spelling Variations
The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of
spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Abouthnett has been spelled Arbutnott, Arbuthnott, Arbuthnet, Arbuthnett, Arbuthnoth, Arbutton, Arbothnet, Erbutnott and many more.
Early Notables of the Abouthnett family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the
Clan at this time was Robert Arbuthnot (c.1625-1655), created 1st Viscount of Arbuthnott in 1641 by Charles I of
England, a Scottish Peer and Privy Counsellor; and his second son, Alexander Arbuthnot of Knox, Sr (1654-1705) was a Scottish politician for
Kincardineshire as Commissioner to the Parliament of...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Abouthnett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Abouthnett family to Ireland
Some of the Abouthnett family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 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 Abouthnett family to the New World and Oceana
This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American
War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Abouthnett: John Arbuthnot who settled in Philadelphia in 1747; James and William Arbutton settled in Philadelphia in 1798 as well as James Arbuthnot, who came to Maryland in 1864..
The Abouthnett 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: Laus Deo
Motto Translation: Praise be to God.