Clan Nesbitt
| Clan Nesbitt or Nisbet | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Plant badge Oak | | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| Mark Nesbitt of that Ilk[1] | |||
| Chief of Clan Nesbitt | |||
| Historic seat | Nisbet House | ||
| |||
Clan Nesbitt (or Clan Nisbet) is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Borders that is recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.[2]
History
Origins of the clan
The surname Nesbitt is derived from the barony and lands near Edrom in Berwickshire.[2] The lands are likely to have been named after a geographical feature such as a nose-shaped hill or nose-shaped bend.[2] In clan circles the name is best known through the work of Alexander Nisbet (1657–1725), who was one of the greatest authorities on Scottish heraldry.[2] Alexander Nisbet established his connection to the chiefly line of the clan and he is regarded as authoritative on the pedigree of his own family.[2] He stated that the lands of Nesbit were of ancient denomination for, in the reign of King Edgar, son of Malcolm Canmore, in whose reign surnames came first to be hereditary, they were donated to the monks of Dunfermline to pray for the soul of his father, and for the health of his own.[2]
The historian George Fraser Black listed William de Nesbite as a witness to a charter by Patrick, Earl of Dunbar to Coldingham Priory in about 1160.[2] From 1219 to 1240 Thomas Nisbet was Prior of Coldingham.[2]
Wars of Scottish Independence
In 1296 Philip de Nesbit appears on the Ragman Rolls submitting to Edward I of England.[2] Also appearing on the rolls are James, John and Adam Nisbet.[2] It is likely that Adam was the Nisbet of that Ilk who received a charter from Robert the Bruce for the land of Knocklies with the feudal obligation of providing one knight for the king's army.[2] Adam or possibly his son of the same name continued in royal favour, distinguishing himself in defending the Scottish Borders in the service of David II of Scotland.[2]
15th and 16th centuries
Adam was succeeded by Philip Nisbet, who appears in important charters of the Earls of Dunbar.[2] Philip was succeeded by his son Adam.[2] Adam's great-grandson was another Philip Nisbet who married a daughter of Haldane of Gleneagles and their heir was Alexander Nesbit.[2]
17th century and Civil War
Alexander Nesbit was a royalist who was devoted to
18th and 19th centuries
Alexander Nisbet initially trained as a lawyer but soon acquired a passion for history and heraldry.[2] In 1702 he published his first work, an essay on cadency.[2] His great work was System of Heraldry which was published in 1722 with more editions following in 1742, 1804 and 1816.[2] Nisbet died in 1725.[2]
Clan branches
Related branches of the Nisbet family became established at
Clan tartan
According to the Scottish Tartans Society the Nesbett tartan is identical to the Mackintosh, and similar to the Dunbar sett, which both appear in the Vestiarium Scoticum. There is however no historical link between the Nisbetts and Clan Mackintosh to explain why the tartan is based upon that Mackintoshes.[3] The Vestiarium was a Victorian era forgery, first published in 1842 by the Sobieski Stuarts. Even though it has since been proven forgery, the Vestiarium is still the basis of many of today's clan tartans.
Clan chief
The clan was chiefless for four centuries following the loss of the Nesbitt lands during the Civil War. In 1994 the Lord Lyon recognised Robert Anthony Ellis Nesbitt as Chief of the Name and Arms of Nesbitt (or Nisbet).[2] After his death in 2000, his son Mark Nesbitt (born 1961) became Chief.
Clan profile
- Arms: Argent three boars heads erased Sable, armed Argent and langued Gules.
- Crest: A boar passant Sable, armed Argent and langued Gules
- Motto: I byde it ("I endure it")
- Plant badge: Oak
Clan castles / ancestral lands
- Nisbet Castle, Berwickshire
- Nisbet House, Nisbet, Berwickshire
- Dirleton Castle, purchased in 1663 by lawyer John Nisbet when it was already a ruin, Nisbet built nearby Archerfield as his country residence.
Variant spellings
Nesbitt, Nesbit, Nisbet, Nisbett, Nisbeth (Sweden and Denmark), Naisbitt, Nezbeth
Clan society
The Nesbitt/Nisbet Society was founded in 1980 by Prof John A. Nesbitt, of Iowa. The British Isles branch was founded in 1983, the North American branch in 1985, and the Australian branch in 1986. Each branch also serves neighbouring regions, and all three work closely together. Total membership is 400+ families. Each branch organises gatherings, those in the British Isles usually held in locations with historic family associations; those in North America in association with one of the well-known Highland Games. Membership is open to all, whether descended from or related to N/Ns, or interested in the family.
Notes
- ^ a b c Clan Nesbitt Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 290–291.
- Scottish Tartans World Register(scottish-tartans-world-register.com). Retrieved 12 September 2008.
References
- A.D. Mills (1998). English Place Names. OUP.
- ISBN 0-85033-929-4.
- Nesbitt, Tom (February 2007). "DNA testing: the gene in genealogy. NN Society DNA results: 2003-2006". Nesbitt Nisbet Society. North American News. 40: 1–20.
External links
- Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (United Kingdom)
- Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (Australasia)
- Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (North America)
- Nesbitt & Nisbett Heraldry
