Habbernathay was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient
Scotland. The ancestors of the Habbernathay family lived at the place named Abernethy in southeastern
Perthshire. The place name is of Pictish origin, meaning "mouth of the river Nethy."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.Early Origins of the Habbernathay family
The surname Habbernathay was first found in
Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central
Scotland at Abernethy, a parish that " derives its name from Aber, signifying in Gaelic, in conjunction with Nethy, the 'termination of Nethy' which is descriptive of the situation of the church, near the entrance of that river into the Spey."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. The Abernethy family appear in ancient records as lay abbots of the Culdee Monastery of Abernethy in Strathearn in the 12th century.
[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 History of the Habbernathay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Habbernathay research.
Another 423 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1189, 1196, 1296, 1399, 1465 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Habbernathay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Habbernathay Spelling Variations
Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of
spelling variations with single names. Habbernathay has appeared Abernethy, Anernethie, Abernathy, Abernathie, Albirnyth, Abirnethie, Abernettie and many more.
Early Notables of the Habbernathay family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Habbernathay Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Habbernathay family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to
Ireland and
Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American
War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the
Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Habbernathay: John Abernathy who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767; William and Anne Abernathy settled in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850; Robert Abernethy arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1871..
The Habbernathay 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: In Christo salus
Motto Translation: Salvation is in Christ.