Arbothnet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

The chronicles of the Arbothnet family reach back into Scottish history to an ancient tribe known as the Picts. The ancestors of the Arbothnet family 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 Arbothnet family

The surname Arbothnet 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 2 3

"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

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 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

Arbuthnott is a small village in northeast Scotland, 26 miles south of Aberdeen.

Early History of the Arbothnet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arbothnet research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1105, 1150, 1335, 1538, 1583, 1585, 1625, 1641, 1654, 1655, 1667, 1674, 1682, 1689, 1702, 1705, 1707, 1721, 1735 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Arbothnet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arbothnet Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. Arbothnet has been written Arbutnott, Arbuthnott, Arbuthnet, Arbuthnett, Arbuthnoth, Arbutton, Arbothnet, Erbutnott and many more.

Early Notables of the Arbothnet family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Alexander Arbuthnot (1538-1583), a Scotch divine and poet, second son of Andrew Arbuthnot, of Pitcarles; Alexander Arbuthnot or Arbuthnet (d. 1585), Scottish merchant burgess and printer of Edinburgh who with Thomas Bassandyne, brought out the first Bible issued in Scotland; 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...
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arbothnet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Arbothnet family

The crossing to North America did not seem so great in comparison with the hardships many Scots endured at home. It was long, expensive, and cramped, but also rewarding. North America offered land and the chance for settlers to prove themselves in a new place. And many did prove themselves as they fought to forge a new nation in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of those Scots can now experience much of their once-lost heritage through the Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up across North America in the last century. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Arbothnet: 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 Arbothnet 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.

Citations +

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.