Show ContentsBannerman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bannerman

What does the name Bannerman mean?

The name Bannerman began among the descendants of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. It was a name for a person who was the standard bearer for the king. While the origin of this name is still somewhat in dispute, most references agree that the name is derived from the Old English word banere and the word man.

According to family lore, during the reign of Malcolm III, the King went north to fight rebellious subjects, and at the Spey he saw the bannerman shrink (fall.) The King pulled the banner from him and gave it to Sir Alexander Carron, the ancestor of the Viscounts and Earls of Dundee, father of the Carron whose name was changed to Scrymgour, and the King at once created him knight. The crest now is a demi-man in armour, his right hand grasping a sword, and the motto "Pro Patria" (for my country.) At that time the former banner-bearer and his successive were ordained to carry in their crest a banner and were standard-bearers to the Scottish kings. 1

Early Origins of the Bannerman family

The surname Bannerman was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat at Clyntreys. The first of the name on record is Dovinaldus (Donald) Bannerman, King's Physician to King David II of Scotland in the year 1368, although traditionally the family claim that their progenitor was Standard Bearer to Malcolm Canmore in Scotland about the year 1070. 2

Early History of the Bannerman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bannerman research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1382, 1400, 1467, 1500 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Bannerman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bannerman Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Bannerman has appeared Bannerman, Bannaman, Bannermane, Banerman, Banermain, Bannermain and many more.

Early Notables of the Bannerman family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

  • Bannerman, Standard Bearer to King Malcolm Canmore

Bannerman Ranking

In the United States, the name Bannerman is the 17,890th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3


Bannerman migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Bannerman name:

Bannerman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Bannerman, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 4
Bannerman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Bannerman, who landed in North America in 1766

Bannerman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bannerman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • James Bannerman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Bannerman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Bannerman, aged 18, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
  • John Bannerman, aged 19, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814, died in the January
  • Mary Bannerman, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
  • William Bannerman, aged 18, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
  • Donald Bannerman, aged 50, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bannerman Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • George Bannerman, aged 22, who arrived in Churchill Factory, Canada in 1913

Bannerman migration to Australia +

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

Bannerman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George Bannerman, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Henry Moore"

Bannerman 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:

Bannerman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Rev. W. Bannerman, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th February 1854 5
  • D. Bannerman, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 5
  • Mr. David Bannerman, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Bruce" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 12th September 1860 6
  • Mr. George Bannerman, (b. 1841), aged 20, Scottish farm labourer from Caithness travelling from London aboard the ship "Victoria" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 30th March 1862 5
  • Mr. Bannerman, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th April 1863 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bannerman (post 1700) +

  • Arthur Marling Bannerman (1900-1976), American College President, Lafayette College, North Carolina
  • Sir George Bannerman (1827-1901), 10th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (1823-1877), 9th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Charles Bannerman (1782-1851), 8th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (1769-1840), 7th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (1741-1813), 6th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Edward Trotter Bannerman (d. 1796), 5th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (d. 1770), 4th Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (d. 1747), 3rd Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • Sir Alexander Bannerman (d. 1742), 2nd Baronet of Elsick, Kincardine
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Bannerman 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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country.


  1. Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. 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)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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