Robertson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

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

Notable 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 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

In the United States, the name Robertson is the 147^th most popular surname with an estimated 159,168 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Robertson is ranked the 84^th most popular surname with an estimated 30,875 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Robertson is the 820^th popular surname. 5 Australia ranks Robertson as 50^th with 39,216 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Robertson as 22^nd with 5,987 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Robertson as 75^th with 59,552 people. 8 South Africa ranks Robertson as 751^st 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" 10
Francis Robertson, who landed in Maryland in 1664 11
Anders Robertson, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1693 11

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 11
Archibald Robertson, who arrived in Virginia in 1746 11
Henry Robertson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774 11
Helen Robertson, aged 16, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 11

Robertson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Robertson, who arrived in North Carolina in 1808 11
Gilbert Robertson, aged 50, who landed in New York in 1812 11
Eleanor Robertson, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 11
Catharine Robertson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 11
Duncan Robertson, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1820 11
... (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 11

Robertson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Robertson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Christopher Robertson U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Mr. Daniel Robertson U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Sgt. David Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 12
Mr. Duncan Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 12
Mr. William Robertson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Robertson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Christian Robertson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Donald 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 followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants 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 13
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 14
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 15
Mr. James Robertson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Robertson who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (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
Alfred Robertson, aged 23, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
Emma Robertson, aged 20, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Robertson (post 1700) +

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)
Theodore Zanderson "Ted" Robertson (1921-2017), American jurist, Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (1982–1988)
Charles H. Robertson (1934-2017), American Democratic politician, 22nd Mayor of York, Pennsylvania (1994-2002)
... (Another 47 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Robertson family +

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 19

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Robertson, British 2nd Class Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20

Fraterville mine

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 21

Halifax Explosion

Miss Elizabeth Robertson (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mr. Donald Robertson (1893-1917), Canadian Signaller aboard the HMCS Musquash from who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22

Hillcrest Coal Mine

Mr. George Robertson (1877-1914), Scottish Miner from Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 23

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. William James Robertson (1901-1941), Australian Leading Cook from Red Cliffs, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Michael John Robertson (1916-1941), Australian Leading Seaman from Granville, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Thomas Noel Robertson (1914-1941), Australian Acting Stoker Petty Officer from Kingsgrove, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24

HMS Dorsetshire

Peter Anderson Robertson (d. 1945), British Wireman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. T J Robertson, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. H Robertson, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. Alexander Robertson, British Petty Officer Telegraphist, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Robert Watt Robertson, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 27
Mr. Percy Edwin Robertson, British Chief Petty Officer Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

Norman Claude Robertson, British Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
Morris Gordon Robertson (d. 1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
Robert Urquhart Robertson (d. 1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

Lady of the Lake

Miss Mary Robertson (b. 1811), Irish traveller from Donemana, Norhtern Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Neil Robertson, English Carpenter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29
Mr. Andrew Robertson, American 2nd Class passenger from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30

SS Southern Cross

Mr. James Robertson (1893-1914), Newfoundlander from St. John's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

St. Francis Dam

Mr. Lenonidas Grant "Pone" Robertson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

Mr. James Milton Robertson, American Machinist's Mate First Class from Tennessee, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31
Mr. Edgar Robertson Jr., American Mess Attendant Third Class from Virginia, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

Victoria steamboat disaster

Jas Robertson, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Vimy Ridge

Henry Alexander Robertson (1888-1917), Canadian broker, Lieutenant in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge May 1917

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.

Citations +

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
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"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
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
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
List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html