Stewarts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland
• Ireland
• England

Etymology of Stewarts

Scotland's history is inextricably linked to that of the Royal Clan, the Clan Stewart. The surname Stewarts was an occupational name for a steward, the official in charge of a noble household and its treasury. It derives from the Old English word "stigweard," a compound of "stig," or "household," and "weard," or "guardian." As every great house, Earl and Bishop in medieval England and Scotland had its stewards, this office has given rise to many lines of this hereditary surname.

Stewarts Coat of Arms Creation

The Stewarts are numerous in Scotland, and the many branches of this clan have their own crests. Nearly all of them have somewhere in their arms what Sir Walter Scott calls "The Stewart Chequer," the ancient cognisance of the Stewarts which appears on the seal of Allan, the second High Steward of Scotland, appended to the charter of Melrose Abbey about 1190. The chequer represents the chessboards which of old the accountants of the King's office made use of in calculating their accounts, from which probably the Exchequer had its name, as the office was under the charge of the High Steward.

The Earl of Galloway (a Stewart) has as crest a pelican in her nest feeding her young, and the motto, " Virescit vulnera virtus " (Valour strengthens from a wound).

The pelican feeding her young has often been used as an emblem of our Saviour and the affection of parents for their children. It is frequently used as a device of piety and devotion. In this case the motto is appropriate.

Families of the name of Paterson, Ormiston, Henry, and Cramond also have a pelican somewhere in their arms. 1

Early Origins of the Stewarts family

Early History of the Stewarts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stewarts research. Another 397 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1343, 1371, 1382, 1405, 1452, 1467, 1476, 1479, 1503, 1504, 1508, 1545, 1565, 1567, 1598, 1641, 1653, 1659, 1662, 1675, 1688, 1692, 1714, 1720, 1728, 1745, 1746, 1807 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stewarts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stewarts Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Stewart, Steward, Stillbhard (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Stewarts family

Notable among the family at this time was Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan (Wolf of Badenoch) (1343-1405), third surviving son of King Robert II of Scotland, first Earl of Buchan since John Comyn (1382-1405), Justiciar of Scotia for a time, but not an effective one, held large territories in the north of Scotland before eventually losing a large part of them, remembered for his destruction of the royal burgh of Elgin and its cathedral, nickname was earned due to his notorious cruelty and rapacity but there is no proof that it was used during his lifetime; John Stewart, Earl of Mar...
Another 153 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stewarts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stewarts family to Ireland

Some of the Stewarts family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 151 words (11 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 Stewarts family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Stuard who settled in Virginia in 1651; Charles Stewart, a Royalist soldier captured at Worcester, sent to Boston aboard the "John and Sara".