Borth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

In the Middle Ages, Viking immigrants settled the shores of Scotland and named many places. The Borth name was then created from one of these place names. They 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 Borth family

The surname Borth 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 Borth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Borth 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 Borth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borth Spelling Variations

Intuition and sound were the primary sources medieval scribes used to judge appropriate spellings and translations for names. The spelling of a name thus varied according to who was doing the recording. The different spelling variations of Borth include Borthwick, Borthwicke, Barthwick, Barthwicke, Borthock, Borthok and many more.

Early Notables of the Borth family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Sir William Borthwick, 1st Lord Borthwick (c.1411-c.1458), Scottish peer and ambassador
William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick (died 1483), Scottish ambassador to England
Sir William Borthwick, 3rd Lord Borthwick (d. 1503), Scottish nobleman, ambassador, and Master of the King's Household in 1485
William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick (died 1542), Scottish nobleman
John Borthwick, 5th Lord Borthwick (d. 1566)
William Borthwick, 6th Lord Borthwick (d. 1582)
James Borthwick, 7th Lord Borthwick (1570-1599)
John Borthwick, 8th Lord Borthwick (d. 1623)
John Borthwick, 9th Lord Borthwick (1616-1675)
William Borthwick, 10th Lord Borthwick (d. 1690)

Borth migration to the United States +

In their new home, Scots found land and opportunity, and some even fought for their new freedom in the American War of Independence. Some, who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, the ancestors of both of these groups have begun recovering their illustrious national heritage through Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Borth name:

Borth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Michael Borth, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 3

Borth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henr Borth, who arrived in North America in 1832 3
C Borth, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 3
Friedrich Borth, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1892
Jos. Borth, who settled in America, in 1892
Joseph Borth, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Borth Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Chalotte Borth, aged 17, who landed in America, in 1902
Balint Borth, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
Elisabeth Borth, aged 53, who landed in America, in 1908
Albert Borth, aged 3, who settled in America, in 1908
Ephram Borth, aged 12, who landed in America, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Borth (post 1700) +

Frank M. Borth III (1918-2009), American comic book artist
Michelle Borth (b. 1978), American actress

The Borth 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

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)