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Clan Arbuthnott

Item code: C6

Arbuthnott is a name of territorial origin from lands of the same name in Kincardineshire. The land has been in possession for c. 24 generations and recently passed onto the Viscount of Arbuthnott. It is thought to have been acquired through the marriage between Hugh and the daughter of Osbert Olifard, during the time of William the Lion. In the charter of 1282 a different Hugh is listed to have given away land to the monastery of Arbroath. Phillip de Arbuthnott was the first name to be described in a charter in 1355. His son, Hugh, was implicated in the John Melville murder in 1420, though was latter pardoned and died peacefully in 1446. Sir Robert Arbuthnott of that ilk was elevated to the peerage of Viscount of Arbuthnott and Baron of Inverbervie by Charles I. Alexander Arbuthnott descended from a younger branch of the chiefs house. Being a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, he was a strong supporter of the Reformation in Scotland. In 1583 he directed the Assembly to wait upon James VI to complain about the various popish practices still permitted in the realm. He was consequently put under house arrest in his college at St. Andrews and died in October 1583. 18th century physician, Dr. John Arbuthnott, claimed to be of near kinship to the chiefly line. He went to London to seek his fortune and in 1705 when Prince George took ill was summoned to aid him. He was appointed a royal physician. He was described as 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 bright and active imagination. He died in September 1779. Recent history includes the 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott, Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire and the representative peer for Scotland in Parliament from 1818 to 1847. Todays chief contributes much of his life to public service. He has been awarded the Distinguished Silver Cross and the OBE. In 1997 he was created a Knight of the Thistle. The family seat remains at Arbuthnott.

Names connected with the clan: ABERBUTHNOCHT ABERBUTHNO ABERBUTHENOTH ABERBOTHENOTH ABIRBUTHENOTT ARBUTHNET ARBUTHNETH ARBUTHNAT ARBUTHNOTH ARBUTHNOTT ARBUTHNOT