| ![Show Contents]() Robertshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of RobertshawWhat does the name Robertshaw mean? The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Robertshaw is 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 Robertshaw Coat of Arms CreationThe 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 Robertshaw familyThe surname Robertshaw 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 Robertshaw familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Robertshaw 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 Robertshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Robertshaw Spelling VariationsHistorical recordings of the name Robertshaw include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. Robertson, MacConachie, Maconachie, MacConaghy, MacConchie, MacConckey, MacConkey, MacDonnachie, MacDonachie, MacDunnachie, MacInroy, MacLagan, Mac Raibeirt (Gaelic) and many more. Early Notables of the Robertshaw familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was 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...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Robertshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Robertshaw family to IrelandSome of the Robertshaw 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.
| Robertshaw migration to the United States | + |
Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Robertshaw, or a variant listed above:
Robertshaw Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- James Robertshaw, who landed in Mississippi in 1888 3
| Robertshaw 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: Robertshaw Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- George Robertshaw, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
- Mary Robertshaw, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
- Anne Robertshaw, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
- George M. Robertshaw, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
- Frank E. Robertshaw, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Robertshaw (post 1700) | + |
- Lieutenant General Louis Bentham Robertshaw (1912-2003), American Marine aviator in WW II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War
- Andrew Robertshaw, English military historian, curator, author and educator
- Jeff Robertshaw (b. 1983), Canadian football defensive end
- Rawson Robertshaw (1861-1920), British rugby union footballer
- Jerrold Robertshaw (1866-1941), British film actor of the silent era
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.
- 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)
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- 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)
 |
