| Archebald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Etymology of ArchebaldWhat does the name Archebald mean? The name Archebald comes from the Scottish/English Borderlands and the ancient Boernicians who inhabited them. It is derived from the personal name Arcebold or Arcenbald which means "right bold", "precious bold" or "holy prince". 1 'So frequent was it (Archibald) in the houses of Campbell and Douglas, that, with its contractions of Archie and Baldie, it has become one of the most commonly used in Scotland, recalling many a fierce worthy, from old Archibald Bell-the Cat downwards.' 2 Early Origins of the Archebald familyThe surname Archebald was first found in Roxburghshire, about 30 miles southeast of Edinburgh. They had been settled from very ancient times in the Kelso area. Before the name became a surname, there was mention of an "Achebaldus filius Swani de Forgrunde," during the reign of King William, the Lion, of Scotland (1143-1214). 1 "Thomas, the brother of Erkenbaldus, witnessed the gift of the church of Kilmaurs to the Abbey of Kelso before 1189 and Arkembaldus de Duffus was witness to an agreement between the bishop of Moray and John Byseth concerning the churches of Coneway and Dulbatelauch between 1203-1234. Robert Archebalde had a charter of the Hospital of Roxburgh in 1390 from Robert III and John Archibald was a witness in St. Andrews in 1545." 1 Early History of the Archebald familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Archebald research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1390, 1545, 1650, 1785, 1822, 1870 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Archebald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Archebald Spelling VariationsA lack of rules and the tendency of scribes to spell according to the sound of the word plagued medieval spelling. Not surprisingly, an enormous number of spelling variations appeared. Archebald has been written Archbold, Archbald, Archibaldson, Archibald, Archibold, Harchbald, Arkanbaldus, Archebald and many more. Early Notables of the Archebald familyAnother 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Archebald Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Archebald family to IrelandSome of the Archebald family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Archebald familyMany Scots crossed the Atlantic for North America hoping to escape poverty, as well as persecution. Much of their heritage was lost along the way and overtime. This century, however, Clan societies and highland games have allowed many ancestral Scots to recover their birthright. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Archebald arrived in North America very early: James Archibald, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1627; John Archibald, who came to New England in 1650; George Archibald, who received a land grant in Virginia in 1676.
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: Ut reficiar Motto Translation: That I may be replenished.
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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