The Scott Clan (from Scotland)
June 23rd, 2006
History of The Scott Clan
Work on the history of our Scott ancestors was largely carried out by the late Edith Colburn Scott, my grandfather's sister-in-law. Her collaborative efforts have been published in the two volume History and Descendants of Jacob Scott - John Scott (1782-1996). The material on this page owes much of its content to Edith's work.
Origins of the Scott Family
The earliest known Scott among my ancestors is James Scott. James was born in the early 1700s in Northern Ireland. Although no one has conclusively traced his line back much further, we do know that he was a Scots Presbyterian. The Scots of Norther Ireland were sent by England to subdue and dilute the Irish population, in the hopes that the rebellious Celts would chafe less violently at London's leash. The bloody reaction to that disenfranchisement continued into modern times.
There are two possibilities about the surname of Scott, both plausible in light of the historical situation. First, the name could have been given to any Scot who settled on the Emerald Isle, simply as a way of referring to the settler's geographic origins. The second possibility is that our Scott ancestors were members of Clan Scott, a borders clan from the southern marches of Scotland. It seems to me that by the 1700s most people had adopted fairly stable surnames, and that the more likely option is that our ancestors were from Clan Scott.
Clan Scott is centered in the aptly-named Borders, a region often called the Lowlands that lies near the border with England. The most common symbol of Clan Scott is the Clan Badge (shown here). The badge shows the clan chief's coat of arms, a Stag, surrounded by a leather strap and inscribed with the chief's motto, Amo. This word means "I Love" in Latin, or it could be a Scotch word meaning "among" or "in the middle", referring to the location of Clan Scott's historical riding grounds. Another common sign of Clan Scott, as with the other Scottish families, is the tartan, a simple square design. The Scott tartan has at least eleven different color and pattern variations. You can see the red tartan in the title of this site.
James, the son of James Scott, was born in 1743 at Donaghmore, Ireland. He married Sarah Scott (also of Donaghmore). Their son Jacob Scott is the first member of the family about whom we have any substantial history.
8 Comments Add your own
1. Steve Scott | October 11th, 2006 at 11:51 am
See Clan Scott News Blog at:
http://scottclannews.blogspot.com
(Editor)
2. Rachel Bastien | May 31st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Je cherche des informations sur Mary Thomasine Scott née vers 1787.
3. James | May 31st, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Rachel, je suis desole, j'ai recherche dans mes dossiers mais je n'ai trouve rien au sujet de Mary Thomasine Scott. Je vous souhaite bonne chance pour lui trouver.
4. Tony Scott | January 14th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I just happened across your page and discovered "we're related!" I'm a direct descendant of James Scott (b. 1723; d. ?).
Father of James Scott (b. 1743; d. 1800) married to Sarah Scott.
Parents of Jacob Scott (b. 1772; d. 1845) married to Sarah Warnock.
Parents of John Scott (b. 1811; d. 1876) married to Elizabeth Meneary. John was also married to Mary Pugh; Roxy Angeline Keller; Sarah Ann Willis and; Esther Yeates.
Do you have any additional information on the family pre James Scott - 1723? I can't seem to find anything prior to that date.
I also have a number of photos I could email you of various family members in the Scott line.
I'm in Los Angeles and currently writing a family history of my direct lineage and any help would be greatly appreciated.
You have a great website - keep up the good work!
Tony Luke Scott
5. Robert Andrew Scott | April 6th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I was wondering how to trace my familly history in Scotland?
6. Lynne Leedle | January 15th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
I am related to Helena Lucinda Mulholland Hockings. Helena was married to William John Hockings. Their son, Clarence William Hockingswas my great grandfather. His son, William Francis Hockings was my mother, Marilyn June Hockings Walther's father.
7. John Walter Scott | January 29th, 2013 at 5:33 am
My family come originally from County Armargh in Northern Ireland and I suspect they were part of the Plantations. My earliest known ancestor was one Quinton Scot who emigrated to South Africa around 1830-50. I had an aunt who used to tell me that we had Scott family in France. Does anyone know anything about this Scott family line?
8. siobhan spence | April 28th, 2013 at 11:11 am
Fasinating to find Scott family history. I have been strugaling to find out about my grandmother Edith Scott, b)1896ish in Sligo. Trained as a nurse in Dublin, then volentered for active service, met my grandfather on a ship going to India married & ended living in kenya. I beleve her father was a bank manidger i am gessing Sligo / Dublin ? can any one help?
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