Borthwick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 


The roots of the Borthwick surname reach back to the language of the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Borthwick surname comes from someone having lived in the old barony of Borthwick, next to 'Borthwick Water' between Selkirk and Roxburghshire. "This place, anciently called Locherwart, assumed the appellation of Borthwick about the time of the Reformation, from the family of that name." 1

Bearers of this surname have inhabited this area since at least the 14th century. Documents first mention 'Quondam' Thomas de Borthwick, who held lands in Middleton, Midlothian, and who had a charter from John of Gordon, Lord of that Ilk, for the lands near Lauder, between 1357 and 1367. 2

Early Origins of the Borthwick family

The surname Borthwick was first found in Roxburghshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at the Barony of Borthwick along the coastline of Borthwick water in the parish of Roberton in that shire. Thomas Borthwick was a tenant of Lord Gordon in the lands of Ligertmood in 1357. William Borthwick in 1378 acquired the lands of Cateune in Midlothian, and changed the name of the estates to Borthwick.

The family prospered through an uncertain era of raiding, feuding and warring in Southern Scotland. By 1400, the Border feuds had taken shape into a Code, which although to us at this time may seem like straight outlawry, was a strict set of rules governing the apparent indiscriminate burning of homes and theft of cattle, horses and even women.

Early History of the Borthwick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Borthwick research. Another 258 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1411, 1423, 1424, 1430, 1450, 1458, 1483, 1485, 1503, 1513, 1542, 1566, 1570, 1582, 1599, 1600, 1616, 1623, 1650, 1666, 1675, 1690, 1706, 1905 and 1986 are included under the topic Early Borthwick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borthwick Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Borthwick has been spelled Borthwick, Borthwicke, Barthwick, Barthwicke, Borthock, Borthok and many more.

Early Notables of the Borthwick family

Notable amongst the family at this time was


Borthwick migration to the United States +

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Borthwick to North America:

Borthwick Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Borthwick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Borthwick migration to Australia +

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

Borthwick Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Borthwick 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:

Borthwick Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Borthwick (post 1700) +


The Borthwick 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: Qui conducit
Motto Translation: One who serves
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