Outside the small circle of the nobility and great magnates, few individuals or families are well recorded in Scottish medieval history; but the obscurity surrounding the origins of the Elliots, who suddenly make their appearance as a distinct Clan with a Chief in the late 15th century is unusual even by the sparse standards of medieval records.
This lack of information can probably be traced to the destruction of the old castle at Stobs in a fire in 1712, when all the family documents, with a single exception, were burnt. One Pedigree dated c.1704, which had been kept at Minto, survived. It is significant, though frustrating, that the author of this Pedigree takes a knowledge of "ye old writes of ye family" for granted and feels no need to retrace the Clan's genealogy before about 1550.
According to family tradition, the Ellots (as the name was then pronounced) came from Angus at the foot of Glenshie, and moved to Liddesdale at the time of Robert the Bruce to ensure this strategically important frontier region.
Our earliest reference is to Redheugh itself in 1376. Next, we know from a Berwickshire Pedigree, of the existence of an "Elwald of Redheugh" living in the early 1400s, a man of some consequence. "Robert Elwald of Redheugh" appears as Chief in 1476. In 1470 he built a strong tower on a cliff overlooking the ford on Hermitage Water. This was one of about one hundred such towers belonging to the Ellots which were dotted around Liddesdale, which they shared with the Armstrongs, another of the great Borders riding clans.
They fought at Flodden where Robert, 13th Chief, was killed along with James IV and the flower of Scottish nobility. The years which followed were bitter ones for Scotland with the infant James V as King, the government and administration of the country in confusion. The Border clans, the only equivalent to a professional standing army in Scotland, braced themselves for defence or retaliation. Thomas, Lord Dacre followed up the Earl of Surrey's victory with forays into Teviotdale, Liddesdale and the Western valleys and it was reported that no corn was sown and that the 100 'pleughs' (4,000 acres) of arable land in Liddesdale was left uncultivated.
It is scarcely surprising that to sustain themselves, the Ellots and the Armstrongs raided the rich and fertile farms on the English side of the Border and gained a considerable notoriety as the most lawless and unruly 'reivers' of the Middle March.
The Union of the Crowns in 1603 marked the beginning of the end for the 'Border Reivers'. There were many summary executions, and around this period many Borderers accepted the offer of a new life in Ulster during the plantation, when much of the province was was colonized. Sir Gilbert Eliott of Stobs became Chief in 1673. He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles II in December 1666. The 3rd Baronet remodeled the old Tower of Stobs into a mansion house around 1764. His eighth son, George Augustus, was a distinguished soldier, created Lord Heathfield as a reward for his spirited defence of Gibraltar in 1782. Another branch of the family named after their lands at Minto produced considerable diplomats. The 1st Earl of Minto and Viscount Melgund was created in 1813 following his time in India as Governor General of Bengal. The present chief , Margaret Eliott of Redheugh, is the daughter of Sir Arthur Eliott, 11 Baronet of Stobs, and assumed her father's seat on the Council of Chiefs in 1989, but the baronetcy passed to a male heir living in Australia. The Elliot Clan Society was formed by Sir Arthur Eliott in 1977 following the publication of "The Elliots - Story of a Border Clan" written in conjunction with his mother, the Dowager Lady Eliott of Stobs.
Books on Elliot History and Genealogy
"The Elliots, The Story of A Border Clan"
This is the most excellent book available, on Elliot History. This is a "must have", if you are an Elliot! The book gives detailed account of the Eliott's from the time of Robert the Bruce to the present day.
By the sixteenth century the border clans, of which the Eliott's were one of, had gained the reputation of being, "...the finest light cavalry in all Europe...". The book gives fascinating accounts of contributions made by the Eliott's both in Scotland and abroad. This work was compiled from original charters and contemporary records... After 40 years of research by ( Dora Flournoy Hopkins, wife)The Dowager Lady Eliott of Stobs and Sir Arthur Eliott, her son. The book was published in 1974 in a limited edition of 950 copies by Seeley Service & Co LTD. This book is endorsed by our current chief, Margaret Eliott of Redheugh, (the daughter of Sir Arthur Eliott, 11 Baronet of Stobs). For information about how to purchase this book just click on the link provided below.
Other Books on Elliot History and Genealogy
Please take note - The books listed below are ones in which I have read and have found informational regards to Scottish/Elliot history. Keep in mind these are the Webmaster's recomendations and not in particular endorsement or affiliation with the Elliot Clan.
Scottish and Border Reiver History
Elliot and Border Reivers
Elliots in Colonial America - The War/Rebellion of 1812
Elliot History and Other Genealogical Research
The Origin of the Elliott's The roots of the Elliot family stem back many centuries... Some traditions claim that they are of ancient Celtic stock and are directly linked with Kings named AEthelgeat and AElfweald. One King ruled in Northumbria on the northeastern coast of England and the other ruled East Anglia to the South. Still others insist that the Elliots are from some sources are a "Noble and Ancient Tribe/Clan of Caledonii (Caledonians)....
Black's
ELLIOT, ELIOT, ELIOTT, ELLIOTT. The early form of this well-known border name was Elwald, or Elwold, for the full OE. Aelfwald, and until the end of the fifteenth century the spelling and the name was fairly regular. Elwald and Elwold were common in OE. times and the name continued in use as Christian name down to the period when surnames became common. It was a common name on the borders, the original home of the Elliots. The form Elliot is used by the Minto family and most of the others on the Border, and Eliott is used by the family of Stobo. The four forms of the name are thus referred to in an old rhyme:The double L and single T Descend from Minto and Wolflee, The double T and single L Mark the old race in Stobs that dwell, The single L and single T The Eliots of St. Germains be, But double T and double L Who they are, nobody can tell.
The Scottish Nation - by William Anderson
ELLIOT, ELIOT, or ELLIOTT, a surname of considerable antiquity both in Scotland and England, possessed by a border clan which resided mainly in the eastern districts of the border. Willis, the antiquary, mentions persons of this name having been seated in Devonshire about the reign of King John, and having branched out into several families, chiefly in the west of England, some of them being of importance to Edward the First. Of the same stock is descended Eliot of Port Eliot in Cornwall, settled there about 1540. There were families of this name in Suffolk and Surrey. The Scottish Elliots appear to have been originally settled on the river and village of Eliot or Elot, in Forfarshire, hence the word Arbirlot, a contraction of Aber-Eliot, the river entering the sea at the parish of that name. As most of the surnames in Scotland were local, it is probable, and this has ever been the opinion of the Elliots themselves, that they had their name from this river. During the reign of Robert the Third, about the year 1395, they were induced to remove, in a body, into Liddesdale, by the family of Douglas, to strengthen their interest on the borders, toward England.Scottish Surnames - by Donald Whyte
ELIOTT Some seventy spellings of this name have been recorded, the most prolific being Eliot, Eliott and Elliott. The name was originally Elwald or Elwold, in Old English Aefwald, and anciently was used frequently as a forename. The Border clan of the Middle March had a chief in the late 15th century called Robert Elwald, who was Captain of Hermitage Castle. His son was slain at Flodden, 1513, and his son Robert was also Captain of Hermitage Castle. His brother Archibald was ancestor of the Elliots of Arkleton. The main forms of the name appear in an old rhyme:The double L and single T Descend from Minto and Wolflee, The double T and single L Mark the old race in Stobs that dwell, The single L and single T The Eliots of St. Germains be, But double T and double L Who they are, nobody can tell.
The Rt Hon. Walter Elliot, 1888-1958, son of William Elliot, Muirglen, Lanark, was a distinguished politician, who was Secretary of State for Scotland, 1926-29, and the recipient of many honours. His second wife, Katharine, 1903-94, daughter of Sir Charles Tennant, Baronet, was active in public life, and was created CBE in 1946 and DBE in 1958. She was also created Baroness Elliot of Harwood of Rulewater; Roxburghshire in 1958.
Association of the Elliot Clan with Angus
Of the association with Eliott/Elliot of Angus and the relation to house/family/Clan Douglas in Angus - some are interchangable thereby of same genalogical stock and or paternal line. As related in historical accounts have shown, in the reign of Robert the Third, the Elliot's in body were persuaded to move into Liddesdale, by the family of Douglas to strengthen their interest on the borders as noted in the book "The Scottish Nation*".
Great Historic Families of Scotland - by James Taylor
...THE original earldom of Angus was one of the oldest titles in the kingdom. The early rulers of the district termed Angus, or the Mearns, extending along the east coast of Scotland from the Tay to the Dee, which they governed with almost independent authority, bore the title of Mormaor, but little or nothing is known of their history. The inhabitants were a fierce and warlike race, and vigorously resisted the attempts of the Scottish kings to subject the province to their authority. Two of these sovereigns, indeed, lost their lives in battle with the men of the Mearns. Kenneth III., on some pretext or other, caused the son of the Mormaor of the province to be executed at Dunsinnan. In revenge for this deed he was killed—according to the ‘Chronicle of the Picts and Scots ‘—at Fettercairn, by the treachery of Finella, daughter of Cunchar, whose only son he had put to death.The first of the chieftains of the province of Angus who bore the designation of Earl was GILCHRIST. A singular story regarding him is related by Buchanan**, on the authority of an old chronicle. For the great services which this powerful noble performed to the Crown he received the hand of the King’s sister in marriage. She, however, proved unfaithful to her marriage vow, and he caused her to be put to death. This murder so enraged the King—William the Lion—against Gilchrist that he dismantled his castles, confiscated his estates, and banished him the kingdom. The Earl took refuge in England; but in the treaty between William and the English King Henry it was stipulated that neither of the two should shelter the other’s enemies. The exiled noble was in consequence obliged to leave England, and returning to Scotland with his two sons, he shifted from place to place in great want and misery. One day they were seen by the King in the neighbourhood of Perth, in the disguise of farmers. Their mien, however, showed them to be superior to that station, and on the approach of the King they quitted the road to prevent discovery. Their evident desire to avoid him roused William’s curiosity, and he caused the three men to be brought before him. On inquiring who they were, Gilchrist knelt down before the King, and in very moving terms acquainted him with their lamentable condition. William was so much affected by the story that he not only pardoned the Earl, but restored him to his former honours and estates.
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*The Scottish Nation
The book "The Scottish Nation" or "The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours and Biographical History of The People of Scotland", was written by William Anderson, published 1863. 3 volumes of 750 pages each. This book may be found online at electric scotland - accounts of Elliot Clan also included therein.
**Buchanan
The Origins of the Buchanan Clan is from Ulster, Ireland. ANSELAN BUEY OKYAN:, the first Scottish Chief of the Clan Buchanan was born about 980, in Ulster, Ireland. Anselan (or Absolon) Buey (or fair) Okyan or Bocainain in Scottish was Buchanan. Tradition states that after many centuries of raiding, the Danes, under Swein The Fork Beard took control of most of England and Ireland from 1013-1014. His son, Canute (994-1035), was to be made King of England. Swein ordered celebrations be held in Limerick, Western Ireland. Swein also ordered that 1,000 beautiful daughters of the Irish nobility must attend. The Irish sent 1,000 people, but they were not female.... They were young men, disguised as women. They had long Irish Scains (daggers) concealed below their cloaks. A massacre of the Danes, at the feast then followed. One of men of the 1,000 was Buey Anselan O Kyan/ O Cahan, (which is pronounced O Kane). He was the son of the King of the Dermod Okyan, provincial King of the southern part of Ulster, Ireland... He fled Ireland and went to Argyll, Scotland....
(note) Unlike England, the Normans never conquered Scotland. The Norman knights and barons were invited by St. David I to build Castles there and help to defend the country. The Scottii or Scots, who gave their name to Scotland, originally lived in Northern Ireland and began to migrate in large numbers to Argyll and Galloway in the fifth century... Small groups seem to have come earlier. The first of Scotland's national heroes, Calgach (Calgacus) was probably a Scot rather than a Pict, according to numerous sources. He and his army held the Romans to a standstill at the Battle of the Mons Grampians in AD 84. The Romans were left in possession of the field but did not pursue their campaign.... Calgacus was referred to by the Roman historian Tacitus as "a man of high courage and lineage". Tacitus described the Caledonians as having "reddish hair and large limbs". The Celtic tribes united against the Romans under Calgacus, but he along with 10,000 of his men were killed at this batttle. The Scots combined with the Picts in the ninth century and at the time "Scotus" could still mean "Irishman".
Electric Scotland now has a whole array Scottish books and articles providing an excellent resource for research & reading about Scotland and the Scots - now available "online". Make sure to check out this page as it is a wonderful resource.
Electric Scotland online books - www.electricscotland.com
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