The earliest origins of the name Bothwick are with the Viking settlers of the early Middle Ages; the surname having come from a place named by the
Vikings It is a name for someone who 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.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]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)
Early Origins of the Bothwick family
The surname Bothwick 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 Bothwick family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bothwick research.
Another 258 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1450, 1423, 1430, 1513, 1650, 1600, 1986, 1905, 1411, 1458, 1483, 1503, 1485, 1542, 1566, 1582, 1570, 1599, 1623, 1616, 1675, 1690, 1666 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Bothwick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bothwick Spelling Variations
Medieval scribes most often spelled names by the way they sounded.
spelling variations, are thus, very common in records dating from that time. Over the years, Bothwick has been spelled Borthwick, Borthwicke, Barthwick, Barthwicke, Borthock, Borthok and many more.
Early Notables of the Bothwick family (pre 1700)
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...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bothwick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Bothwick family to the New World and Oceana
The Scottish settlers spread out along the fertile land of the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. They and many of their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. That heritage has been recovered by many in this century through
Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Archival documents indicate that members of the Bothwick family relocated to North American shores quite early: James Borthwick who settled in Virginia in 1732; Robert Borthwick arrived in Philadelphia in 1822; John Borthurck arrived in Philadelphia in 1876.
The Bothwick 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