Show ContentsRobertson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Robertson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Robertson

What does the name Robertson mean?

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the Robertson family. Their name comes from the personal name Robert. Known as the Clan Donnachaidh, (MacDhonnchaidh) 'son of Duncan' the family's origins are very distinguished, as the senior branch of the line were the hereditary abbots of Dunkeld, who traced their descent from Iona. In addition, Abbot Duncan of Dunkeld, the Robertson progenitor, was killed in battle in 964, as he led the warriors, bearing, a reliquary of St. Columba. His grandson, Abbot Crinan of Dunkeld, married the Kings daughter and then fathered King Duncan I of Scotland who was killed by MacBeth (of Shakespearean fame). Crinan is buried at the Isle of lona, burial place of Scotland's early Kings. 1

Robertson Coat of Arms Creation

The wolf, long a terror in many parts of Scotland, appears in several crests and shields. Wolves were evidently a pest in Perthshire, and it is said that one Donald Macdonald got the lands of Struan or Strowan in Perthshire for killing wolves, and three wolf heads appear in his shield.

The crest is a hand holding an imperial crown, and the motto is " Virtutis gloria merces " (Glory is the reward of valour). Robert, one of the heads of the family, apprehended one of the murderers of King James I., and for this the family of Struan has since borne a wild man chained under the escutcheon of their arms.

In the Highlands the Robertsons are known as the Clan Donnachai, pronounced Donachie, and it is sometimes asserted that the clan is not derived from the Macdonalds, but from Duncan, eldest son of Malcolm III., and it was from some Robert in the reign of James II. that they got the name Robertson. 2

Early Origins of the Robertson family

The surname Robertson was first found in Atholl. King Duncan's younger son, Maelmore, sired Madadh, Earl of Atholl, and his grandson, Earl Henry, was father to Conan who held vast territories in this area. Conan of Glenerochie was the first Chief of the Robertsons and gave his name to the Clan Connchaidh or Duncan. His successor, Duncan, the 5th Chief, led the Clan in the army of King Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314 against the English. For this service, and his subsequent staunch support of the Scottish Crown, his grandson Robert of Struan was granted the lands and barony in 1451.

Early History of the Robertson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robertson research. Another 403 words (29 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1561, 1587, 1645, 1653, 1668, 1680, 1686, 1689, 1703, 1705, 1715, 1723, 1727, 1745, 1746, 1749, 1783, 1784 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Robertson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Robertson Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Robertson have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Robertson, MacConachie, Maconachie, MacConaghy, MacConchie, MacConckey, MacConkey, MacDonnachie, MacDonachie, MacDunnachie, MacInroy, MacLagan, Mac Raibeirt (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Robertson family

  • Thomas Robertson (fl. 1520-1561), schoolmaster and dean of Durham, was born at or near Wakefield in Yorkshire early in the sixteenth century
  • William Robertson (d. 1686?), Scottish lexicographer, was a graduate of Edinburgh, and is probably the William Robertson who was laureated by Duncan Forester in April 1645. From 1653 to 1680 he lived...
  • Alexander Robertson, 13th chief (b. 1668) joined the Jacobite rising of 1689 and was taken prisoner a few weeks after the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Dunkeld and was later released

Robertson World Ranking

the United States, the name Robertson is the 147th most popular surname with an estimated 159,168 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Robertson is ranked the 84th most popular surname with an estimated 30,875 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Robertson is the 820th popular surname. 5 Australia ranks Robertson as 50th with 39,216 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Robertson as 22nd with 5,987 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Robertson as 75th with 59,552 people. 8 South Africa ranks Robertson as 751st with 9,199 people. 9

Migration of the Robertson family to Ireland

Some of the Robertson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Robertson migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Robertson family emigrate to North America:

Robertson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Nicholas Robertson, aged 30 who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 11
  • Francis Robertson, who landed in Maryland in 1664 12
  • Anders Robertson, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1693 12
Robertson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Daniel Robertson, who settled in Virginia in 1716 along with Francis, Isabella, James, John, and Donald
  • Daniel Robertson, who landed in Virginia in 1716 12
  • Archibald Robertson, who arrived in Virginia in 1746 12
  • Henry Robertson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774 12
  • Helen Robertson, aged 16, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 12
Robertson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Robertson, who arrived in North Carolina in 1808 12
  • Gilbert Robertson, aged 50, who landed in New York in 1812 12
  • Catharine Robertson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 12
  • Eleanor Robertson, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 12
  • Duncan Robertson, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1820 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Robertson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Harriet L Robertson, who landed in Arkansas in 1903 12

Robertson migration to Canada +

Robertson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Christopher Robertson U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 13
  • Mr. Daniel Robertson U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 13
  • Sgt. David Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
  • Mr. Duncan Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
  • Mr. William Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Robertson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Donald Robertson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
  • Christian Robertson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
  • Duncan Robertson, aged 42, a farmer, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
  • Isabella Robertson, aged 31, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
  • Alexander Robertson, aged 6 1/4, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robertson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Mr. James Robertson, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Third Fleet
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Robertson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Robertson, British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. David Robertson, Scottish settler  who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the  "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Francis Robertson, (b. 1780), aged 35, Scottish convict who was convicted in Ayr, Scotland for 14 years for theft, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1816 16
  • Mr. John Robertson, British Convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Miss Elizabeth Robertson, British settler who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 1st May 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robertson 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:

Robertson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robertson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tory" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th September 1839 18
  • Alexander Robertson, aged 23, a shoemaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
  • Margaret Robertson, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
  • A. Robertson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 19
  • Mr. George Robertson, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Robertson (post 1700) +

  • Phil Alexander Robertson (1946-2025), American professional hunter, businessman (Duck Commander company), and reality television star on the popular television series Duck Dynasty, featured on the television show Duck Commander, a hunting program on the Outdoor Channel
  • Jarrett Jackson Robertson (1940-1993), American military officer nicknamed "Desert Fox", who was a major general in the Army and who died in the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter near Wiesbaden, Germany
  • James Lawton Robertson (1940-2023), American jurist, Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi (1983–1992)
  • Pat Robertson (1930-2023), born Marion Gordon Robertson, an American media mogul, religious broadcaster, political commentator, former presidential candidate who was associated with the Charismatic Movement within Protestant evangelicalism, Chancellor and CEO of Regent University and Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)
  • Julian Hart Robertson KNZM Jr. (1932-2022), American billionaire hedge fund manager, and philanthropist who founded Tiger Management, one of the first hedge funds, in 1980
  • Dede Robertson (1927-2022), born Adelia Elmera, an American author, nurse and evangelical Christian activist, wife of Christian evangelical televangelist Pat Robertson
  • Jeanne Flinn Swanner Robertson (1943-2021), American athlete, teacher, humorist, motivational speaker, YouTube personality, and Miss North Carolina 1963
  • Don Robertson (1928-2021), American television announcer for the CBS television network, known as "The Voice Of CBS Sports"
  • Isiah "Butch" Robertson (1949-2018), American NFL football player who played from 1971 to 1982, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971)
  • ... (Another 50 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Vergil L Robertson (1960-1985), American Sergeant from Spencer, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 20
  • John Robertson, British crew aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845, he survived
  • Mr. John Robertson, British 2nd Class Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
  • Mr. Porter Robertson (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 22
  • Miss Elizabeth  Robertson (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
  • ... (Another 28 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Robertson 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: Virtutis gloria merces
Motto Translation: Glory is the reward of valour.

Suggested Readings for the name Robertson +

  • Children of Nashville by Sarah Foster Kelley.
  1. 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)
  2. Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. 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)
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm
  23. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance

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