Cuthbert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


In the Scottish/English Borderlands, the Strathclyde Britons were the first to use the name Cuthbert. It is derived from an Old English personal name meaning bright champion.

Early Origins of the Cuthbert family

The surname Cuthbert was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt), part of the present day Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They were descended from Saint Cuthbert of Landisfarne (d. 687) in Northumberland. The name Kirkcudbright literally means "Cuthbert's Church."

"St. Cuthbert, according to the legends of the times, was born of British parents in Cumberland, about the year 600. As Cuthbert advanced in years, he became such a distinguished character, that he was raised to the dignity of abbot in the abbey of Landisferne. Of his miracles and exploits many marvellous tales are recorded; and even after his death his relics are said to have retained miraculous virtues; and to their accidental touch is ascribed the healing power which the holy well in this parish is presumed to possess." 1

Cuthbert (d. 758), was Archbishop of Canterbury, said to have been of noble parentage, first appears as abbot of Liminge in Kent. 2

Early History of the Cuthbert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cuthbert research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1466, 1640, 1778 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cuthbert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuthbert Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Cuthbert has been spelled Cuthbert, Cudbert, Cuthberd, Cudberd, Cuthburst, Cuthburt, Cudburt and many more.

Early Notables of the Cuthbert family

More information is included under the topic Early Cuthbert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cuthbert Ranking

In the United States, the name Cuthbert is the 12,450th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Cuthbert family to Ireland

Some of the Cuthbert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Cuthbert migration to the United States +

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them:

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

Cuthbert migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cuthbert Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Cuthbert migration to Australia +

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

Cuthbert Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Cuthbert 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:

Cuthbert Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Cuthbert migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 12
Cuthbert Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Cuthbert (post 1700) +


The Cuthbert 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: Nec minus fortiter
Motto Translation: Not less bravely.
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