Clan Arbuthnott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Arbuthnott |
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Crest: A peacock's head couped at the neck Proper
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| Motto | LAUS DEO (Praise [be] to God) |
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| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowland | ||
| District | Aberdeenshire | ||
| Chief | |||
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| The Rt. Hon Keith Arbuthnott | |||
| The 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott | |||
| Seat | Arbuthnott House | ||
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The Clan Arbuthnott tartan in colors.
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Arbuthnot Tartan Plaid
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| Tartan registries | |
| Scottish Tartans Authority | #204 |
| Scottish Tartans World Register | #204 |
| Scottish Register of Tartans entry | Clan Arbuthnott |
Clan Arbuthnott is a historic Lowland Scottish clan. Clans are like big families or groups of people who share a common ancestor and a strong sense of belonging. This clan has a long and interesting history in Scotland.
Contents
History of Clan Arbuthnott
Where the Name Arbuthnott Comes From
The name Arbuthnott comes from the lands of Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire, Scotland. Old documents called these lands Aberbothenoth. This name means 'the mouth of the stream below the noble house'. The Arbuthnott family has owned these lands for over 24 generations. This includes the current Viscount of Arbuthnott.
How the Clan Began
Hugh, who might have been from the Clan Swinton family, may have gained the Arbuthnott lands. He might have done this by marrying Margaret Olifard. She was the heiress of Arbuthnott. Her brother, Osbert Olifard, was known as "The Crusader". He died during the First Crusade.
Another Hugh, called "Le Blond" (meaning 'The Fair-haired'), was the Laird of Arbuthnott around 1282. A 'Laird' is a Scottish landowner. This Hugh gave lands to the Monastery of Arbroath. He did this for the 'safety of his soul'. The first person in the clan to be called dominus ejusdem (meaning 'of that ilk' or 'of that place') was Phillip de Arbuthnott.
The Story of John Melville
Phillip de Arbuthnott's son was Hugh Arbuthnott. He was involved in the death of John Melville of Glenbervie in 1420. Melville was the sheriff of the Mearns. He was very strict and unpopular with the local landowners, called lairds.
The Duke of Albany was in charge of Scotland at the time. He was tired of complaints about Melville. The Duke supposedly said something that the lairds took as a sign to get rid of the sheriff. So, the Lairds of Arbuthnott, Mathers, Pitarrow, and Halkerton invited Melville to a hunting party. There, Melville was killed. The Laird of Arbuthnott was later forgiven for his part in this event. He passed away peacefully in 1446.
The 16th Century
James Arbuthnott of Arbuthnott received a special document from the King in 1507. This document made his lands a feudal barony. He married Jean, the daughter of Sir John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl.
Alexander Arbuthnot was a relative of the main family. He was an important person in the Church of Scotland. He was even the leader of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1577. In 1583, he was asked to tell James VI of Scotland about some old religious practices the King still allowed. The King was not happy with his complaints. Alexander was placed under house arrest. He died at age 44 in 1583.
In 1589, King James VI asked his lairds to send food for a celebration. This was for the arrival and crowning of Anne of Denmark. The celebration was delayed. So, the King sent another letter to Andrew Arbuthnott, asking for the food again.
The 17th and 18th Centuries
Sir Robert Arbuthnott was a direct descendant of the Laird involved in the Melville incident. Charles I of England made him a noble. He became the Viscount of Arbuthnott and Baron Inverbervie.
Dr. John Arbuthnot was a famous doctor and writer. He was educated at the University of Aberdeen. In 1705, he was at Epsom races when Prince George of Denmark, Queen Anne's husband, became ill. Dr. Arbuthnot helped him recover. Because of this, he became a royal physician. He became a close friend to Queen Anne and many important people of his time. Dr. Samuel Johnson once said he was a very smart and skilled person. Dr. John Arbuthnott died in 1779.
Modern Times: From the 19th Century Onward
George Arbuthnot started a banking business in India. This bank later became known as Arbuthnot & Co. It was very popular in Madras (now Chennai). However, the bank faced problems and closed down in 1906. This caused many families in southern India to lose their savings. Today, a successor bank in London continues under the name 'Arbuthnot Latham'.
The previous clan chief was a brave soldier. He received the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945. He was also honored as a Knight of the Thistle and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He led the Venerable Order of Saint John in Scotland.
The current Viscount of Arbuthnott became the clan chief when his father passed away in 2012.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Arbuthnott is Keith Arbuthnott. He is the 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott, Lord Inverbervie. He is also the Chief of the Name and Arms of Arbuthnott.
Clan Symbolism
Members of Clan Arbuthnott can show their connection to the clan in a few ways. They can wear a crest badge. This badge shows the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The chief's crest is a peacock's head. His motto is LAUS DEO, which is Latin for "Praise God".
Clan members can also wear a clan tartan. A tartan is a special patterned fabric. The Arbuthnott tartan was officially registered in 1962. Its design was inspired by the famous Black Watch tartan.
Clan Arbuthnott Today
- Today, people with the Arbuthnott name live all over the world.
- Around 350 in the UK
- About 1,150 in the USA
- Roughly 220 in Canada
- Around 190 in Australia and New Zealand
- About 85 in South Africa
- Around 120 in Ireland
- The ancestral home, Arbuthnott House, and its surrounding estate are still owned by the family today. The estate covers about 3,000 acres (12 square kilometers).
Clan Arbuthnott in Fiction
- You can find a story about the origin of the name and clan in Nigel Tranter's novel, Tapestry of the Boar.
