Clan Arbuthnot
Clan Arbuthnot (Arbuthnot Tartan)
Crest: A peacock’s head couped at the neck, Proper
Motto: Laus Deo (“Praise be to God”)
Origin of Tartan: Registered by Lord Lyon in 1962, based on Black Watch tartan
Origin of Name: From the place name Aberbothenoth
Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon The Viscount of Arbuthnott K.T.
1. Clan Arbuthnot History
The history of the Arbuthnots begins in the prehistoric Arbuthnot territory in Kincardineshire. Hugh's marriage to Osbert Olifard's daughter, dubbed "The Crusader," allowed the Swinton family to acquire these lands.
Around 1175, William the Lion gave Olifard these lands, which is when the Arbuthnot legacy started. The region was originally known as "Aberbothenoth," which means "meeting of the small stream with the river" or "mouth of the stream below the noble house."
Philip de Arbuthnott made the initial record of the Arbuthnot family using the name Arbuthnot in 1355.
However, the Arbuthnot family became well-known around 1420 when Hugh, his son, became involved in a sinister plot involving the Glenbervie sheriff, John Melville's murder.
Several of the local lairds had grown enraged with Sheriff Melville's strict rules. Weary of the sheriff's authoritarianism, the Duke of Albany, Scotland's Regent, is said to have said, "sorrow gin that sheriff were sodden and supped in broo."
The Lairds of Mather, Arbuthnott, Pitarrow, and Halkerton plotted to have the sheriff put to death, viewing this as a gory invitation.
They set up an ambush for the gullible sheriff while posing as hunters in the Forest of Garvock. The unfortunate man was boiled to death in a cauldron.
After finishing the broth, all of the conspirators—including Arbuthnott—sealed their silent agreement. Arbuthnott died in 1446, though he was later pardoned.
In the midst of these bleak narratives, Alexander Arbuthnot became well-known within the Church of Scotland and was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly in 1577. His passion for change, however, caused him to clash with Scotland's James VI over "popish practices" that persisted.
Following this altercation, Arbuthnot was imprisoned in St Andrews, where his circumstances worsened and ultimately led to his premature death later that year.
With the ascent of Sir Robert Arbuthnott, who was made 1st Viscount of Arbuthnott and Baron Inverbervie by King Charles I of England, the Arbuthnot family experienced a boom in their fortunes.
Charles made this gesture, it is thought, in an attempt to increase his support north of the border.
Dr. John Arbuthnot was another Arbuthnot who benefited from his connections to the royal family. His fortunate break occurred in 1705 at the Epsom races when Prince George of Denmark, the spouse of Queen Anne, became ill. The prince was thankfully able to recover after Dr. Arbuthnot was summoned to attend to him promptly.
Prince George named Arbuthnot a royal physician, grateful for his help. The queen, as well as prominent individuals such as Dr. Samuel Johnson, who commended him for being "a man of great comprehension, skilful in his profession, versed in the sciences, acquainted with ancient literature and able to animate his mass of knowledge by a bright and active imagination," trusted and friendship with him because of his esteemed position.
From 1818 until 1847, the eighth Viscount of Arbuthnott represented Scotland in Parliament while holding the office of Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire. After his father died in 1966, John Arbuthnott, the 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott, became the new leader.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II, and in 1985 he was made a CBE of the Order of the British Empire. He received the title of Knight of the Thistle in 1997.
An era came to an end on July 14, 2012, with his passing. The 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott and Clan Chief was succeeded by his son, The Rt Hon. Keith Arbuthnott.
From the current Viscount of Arbuthnott, the land of Arbuthnot has been in the same family for more than twenty-four generations. Situated a short distance to the southwest of Stonehaven is Arbuthnott House.
2. Clan Arbuthnot Tartans
The Black Watch tartan is the source of the Arbuthnott tartan. Though not much is known about its history, it was formally registered with the Lord Lyon in 1962.
Arbuthnot Modern
Arbuthnot Ancient
3. Clan Arbuthnot Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Arbuthnot Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A peacock’s head couped at the neck, Proper
3.2 Clan Arbuthnot Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
A person is granted a coat of arms under Scottish heraldic law; civic or corporate arms are not granted. There is no such thing as a "family coat of arms." The personal arms pictured below belong to the person who received them, unless they are corporate or civic arms. The only person authorized to wield these weapons is the one who has been given them.
A peacock's head, cut open at the neck and left to show off its natural color, with an ermine collar around it, set between two gold-colored keys, one on each side of the head, crossed in a saltire.
The shield is azure in color, with a silver crescent set between three silver mullets. It is bordered with ermine and has three lion heads affrontée, each with a red color and a gold crown.
Robert Arbuthnott was awarded these arms on April 1, 1969, according to the Lyon Register (LR 51/102). The arms are accompanied by the motto "Laus Deo."
Arbuthnot Standard
The crest of Sir William is "a peacock's head and neck, in its natural colors, accompanied on either side by a spray of green strawberry leaves, each adorned with a silver cinquefoil flower."
"Azure, featuring a silver crescent positioned between three silver mullets," is how his shield is described. The red border of the shield is embellished with two gold escallops at the top, a gold buck's head facing forward at the bottom, and a small silver shield charged with a red hand with its fingers spread and palm outstretched, severed at the wrist, facing left, overlapping the border in the middle."
He lives by the motto "Deum Laudans," which means "Praising God."
Hugh Forbes Arbuthnott's coat of arms is described as follows:
Azure, featuring a silver crescent positioned between three silver mullets, enclosed within a border adorned with Ermine fur and embellished with three red lions' heads facing forward, crowned with gold in an imperial manner. This coat of arms was granted to Hugh Forbes Arbuthnott on June 21, 1954.
Alexander Aberbuthnet's coat of arms is described as follows:
On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver strawberry (fraise) emerging from a silver crescent, positioned between three silver stars (mullets). This coat of arms was granted to Alexander Aberbuthnet between 1672 and 1677.
Arms:
Quarterly:
I and IV: On a blue background (Azure), a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (mullets), all within a gold border (bordure) engraved with three red boars' heads, erased, to signify a difference (for Arbuthnot).
II and III: On a silver background (Argent), a black double-headed eagle displayed, positioned on a green chief (Vert) adorned with three gold spur-rowels (for Aitchison).
Crests:
A natural-colored peacock's head and neck, with a blue mantling doubled with silver.
A natural-colored rooster standing on a gold trumpet, with a black mantling doubled with silver.
Mottos:
"Innocent and true"
"Vigilantibus"
Mary Helena Arbuthnot or Pullan's entry in Table M. ii 01496 notes her passing on January 20, 1925, as recorded in the Lyon Register (LR 26/51).
The coat of arms for Arbuthnot of Auchterforfar is described as follows:
Shield: On a blue background (Azure), a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (etoiles), arranged two above one, all within a gold border (bordure).
The coat of arms for Aberbuthnet of Catherlen, granted between 1672 and 1677, is described as follows:
On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (mullets), enclosed within a silver border (bordure) adorned with eight silver strawberries (fraises) emerging from green leaves (verdoy).
The coat of arms for Aberbuthnet of Fiddes, granted between 1672 and 1677, is described as follows:
Shield: On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (mullets), all within a silver border (orle) adorned with eight silver strawberries (fraises).
Motto: "Tam interna, quam externa" (As well internal as external - qualities)
The coat of arms for Aberbuthnet of Findoury, granted between 1672 and 1677, is described as follows:
Shield: On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (etoiles), arranged two above one, all within a silver border (bordure).
Motto: "Interna proestant" (Internal things stand fast / Inward things are best).
The coat of arms for Robert Aberbuthnet of Montrose, granted between 1680 and 1687, is described as follows:
Crest: A natural-colored dove encircled by an adder, both in their natural colors.
Motto: "Innocue ac provide" (Harmless and with foresight).
Shield: On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (mullets), all within a silver border (bordure) that is indented and quartered with alternating silver and blue sections.
The coat of arms for David Arbuthnot of Weymouth, granted between 1680 and 1687, is described as follows:
Crest: A ship with sails set, in its natural colors.
Motto: "Fluctuo sed affluo" (I move as a wave, but I flow on).
Shield: On a blue background (Azure), there is a silver crescent positioned between three silver stars (mullets), all within a silver border (bordure) that is wavy.
Permission to use these images was given from Heraldry Online, for more information please see their website: http://www.heraldry-online.org.uk
4. Clan Arbuthnot People & Places
4.1 Clan Arbuthnot People
4.1.1 Alexander Arbuthnot (1538 — 1583)
Scottish ecclesiastical poet Alexander Arbuthnot is well known for his Reformation-era works. Raised at the University of Aberdeen and studied languages, philosophy, and civil law under the eminent Jacques Cujas at the University of Bourges in France.
After returning, he enthusiastically backed the Reformation movement in Scotland by adopting ecclesiastical orders. He rose to the rank of principal at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1569, a post he retained until his death. Arbuthnot was involved in church politics and held two positions as the Kirk of Scotland's Moderator.
His involvement included a state-of-the-university of St Andrews inquiry. However, Catholic circles chastised him for his public positions. Although Arbuthnot's policies were not considered periurit apostatis by Nicol Burne, James VI did not approve of them.
The king ordered Arbuthnot to return to his duties at King's College because he was unhappy with the Assembly's appointment of him to the kirk of St. Andrews.
4.1.2 Dr. John Arbuthnot (1667 – 1735)
Well, just give him the name Dr. Arbuthnot! A Scottish boy gifted in the arts of medicine, wit, and general multitasking. In London town, he became highly well-known.
These days, people remember him for his aptitude for math, his membership in the Scriblerus Club (where he inspired Pope's creativity and gave Swift's Gulliver's Travels a boost), and for creating the character of John Bull.
4.1.3 Sir William Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet of Edinburgh (1776–1829)
About Sir William, a gentleman from Scotland who was well-versed in politics. Not once, but twice, he was known as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh: from 1815 to 1817 and again from 1821 to 1823.
Raised in the Arbuthnot family, he was the older brother of George Arbuthnot, the first of Elderslie, and the son of Robert Arbuthnot, the second of Haddo-Rattray. After marrying Anne Alves, Sir William had a few small children of his own.
He assumed the position of Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Encouragement of the Manufactures and Fisheries of Scotland upon the death of his father.
4.1.4 Sir William (“Willie”) Arbuthnot-Lane (1856–1943)
Arbuthnot Lane was a famous Scottish surgeon who had an interesting backstory. He established himself in the medical field despite coming from a family of Lanes, his father being Brigade Surgeon Benjamin Lane.
The majority of people are aware of him from his groundbreaking work at Guy's Hospital, where he developed three surgical methods. He first made great progress in treating cleft palates. Later, he developed the "Lane technique" for treating fractures and made significant advancements in the treatment of chronic intestinal stasis.
Now, from 1914 to 1918, he established Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, a pioneering plastic surgery facility, during the Great War. Arbuthnot Lane was something of a maverick in the surgical field, not just your average surgeon.
In an effort to support his New Health Society and spread the word about diets and healthy living without running afoul of the General Medical Council, he even went so far as to have his name removed from the Medical Register.
Despite being born in Ireland, he was assigned to Inverness before traveling to Guy's Hospital in London. Lane never shied away from a challenge.
He experimented with a variety of fracture repair techniques, including plates and screws, steel screws, and silver wire. Some could argue that he was a little odd, treating people almost like robots. He went so far as to suggest total colectomy as a treatment for "auto-intoxication."
However, Lane was not limited to surgery; he also supported public health education. In addition to giving public speeches and writing for newspapers, he also worked to increase access to fresh produce. Really quite the character, don't you think?
4.1.5 Sir William Reierson Arbuthnot, 2nd Baronet (b. 1950)
Continuing the family tradition is Arbuthnot, the eldest son of Sir John Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet. In 1992, he assumed his father's role and received the baronetcy.
Arbuthnot received his education at Eton College and then attended The College of Law to refresh his legal knowledge. Over the years, he has taken on various roles, including director of a company, banker, and lawyer.
Parkinson's disease is currently a challenge for Arbuthnot, but it hasn't stopped him in the slightest.
He participates actively in Families Need Fathers and provides assistance when needed. In addition, he has made it his mission to preserve the family history by overseeing the website and genealogy of the Arbuthnott Family Association.
Arbuthnot's commitment to custom and community is further demonstrated by his membership as a proud Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, which he joined in 1981.
Regarding the future of the baronetcy, the younger brother, Rt. Hon. James Norwich Arbuthnot, MP, is prepared to assume the role of heir apparent and continue the Arbuthnot family legacy.
5. Arbuthnot Associated Names
Spelling variations of the surname include Arbuthnot, Arbuthnott, Arbuthnoth, Arbuthnat, Arbuthneth, Arbuthnet, Abirbuthenott, Aberbothenoth, Aberbuthenoth, Aberbuthnocht, Aberbuthno, and many others.