Robertson, Robinson, Robison

[TheOfficialBren]

I have a question for our clan experts.

We have traced my mother's ancestry to an unexpected direction, to the Scottish names Robertson and Robinson (or Robison, depending on the immigration documents viewed) in the early 19th century.

What can you guys tell me about these families? Where do they hail from in Scotland? Which clans are they associated with and would it be appropriate (I understand the one tartan general observance in Scotland but I am an American, mind you) for me to wear the tartan(s) associated with these lines?

Just curious. Thank you, folks.

[ThistleDown]

BREN, all three are simply based on the name ‘Robert’. Robison/Robeson/Robertson/Robinson are the written forms used by all Robert's progeny, whomever that Robert might have been; without a lot more genealogy you won’t be able to officially connect yourself with any particular clan and certainly not with a Highland one. There was a family of Robertsons at Struan in Perthshire. They are often referred to as the Clan Donnachaidh in recognition of a Duncan ancestor who was pretty important. The chief of the name now lives in the south of England. Today most folk with the name Robeson/Robison/Robertson/Robinson settle on this connection in lieu of attempting the near-impossible task of proving another. Nice tartan; wear it if you wish.

[TheOfficialBren]

Excellent. Thank you, Rex. Shaw is my father's Highland clan. That's good enough for me but I am curious about this new maternal line.

Valuable information, my friend.

[StevieR]

Robertson is the surname most usually associated with Clan Donnachaidh. There are a number of other septs but I wasn't aware that Robinson was one of them. In the UK at least, Robinson is accepted as being a particularly English surname and Robertson a Scots one.

Clan Donnachaidh, particularly Robertsons from the 17th century onward, have a long and colourful history and are a notable highland clan.

[TheOfficialBren]

Gotcha. Thanks, Steve. Clan Robertson does indeed have a colourful history! I just watched an episode of "Scotland's Clans" which featured Clan Robertson. Very interesting stuff. Alexander Robertson sounds like quite an interesting character.

[Chas]

It should be noted that many Scots came south to England and changed their names from (for example) MacDonald to Donaldson.

[Geoff Withnell]

Don't get overly concerned with minor differences in spelling. Consistent spelling is a fairly recent (20th century) habit. My Grandmother, Mary Davis, was also Mary Davys and Mary Davies, sometimes on the same document.

[Chas]

Don't get overly concerned with minor differences in spelling. Consistent spelling is a fairly recent (20th century) habit. My Grandmother, Mary Davis, was also Mary Davys and Mary Davies, sometimes on the same document.

William Shakespeare signed his name with different spellings. One was William Shakeshaft!

[davidlpope]

William Shakespeare signed his name with different spellings. One was William Shakeshaft!

I think you may be confusing a reference in the will of Alexander Hoghton of Lea Hall, which leaves a bequest to William Shakeshafte. The connections to Shakespeare is not proven, however, as there was a family of Shakeshaftes in that area.

There are six extant signatures believed to be written by the Bard. He seemed to prefer the form "Shakspere", although spelling was quite variable at that time. Such variation existed as well in references to Christopher Marlowe, sometimes referred to as "Morley".

[sydnie7]

Clan D is very active in SoCal, Bren. Check out our website and wander by the tent at Vista next weekend (a really nice Games venue!).