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 Elliot Clan Badge To find out more about the Elliot Clan just go to the Elliot Clan Society Home Page Here you will find more info on the history of the clan and what is happening now. Also are current events, highland games for your area, contact address's and how you can become a clan member too ...The Elliot Clan Society currently has a geneology project underway that may also be of interest. Visit the Elliot Clan Society, USA Genealogy Project Page for more details....
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The Elliott Clan (Introduction)Outside the small circle of the nobility and great landed families, few individuals or their clans are well recorded in Scottish medieval history. The obscurity surrounding the origin of the Elliots, who suddenly make their powerful appearance as a distinct clan with a chief in the late fifteenth century, is very strange indeed. 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. | 
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The History and Origins of the Elliott ClanAccording to family tradition, the Ellots, as the name was then spelled at the time, came from Angus at the foot of Glenshie The clan moved to Teviotdale at the time of Robert the Bruce. This move from the north of Scotland to the Borders, as stated by Elliot tradition, would be considered as an exceptional and somewhat perplexing thing. However, if you look at Scotland around that time you will see that in 1320 there occurred in Liddesdale an event that would make it very probable. In the year 1320, William de Soulis, one of the most powerful nobles in Scotland, whose family had for nearly two hundred years held the Lordship of Liddesdale, was convicted of treason against Robert the Bruce. All his lands were forfeited. Two years later Liddesdale, together with the great fortress of Hermitage Castle, was made over to Bruce’s illegitimate son, Robert.... How would Bruce secure this very sudden and drastic a change in the lordship and what was the plan? - - How was Bruce to ensure his hold on the strategically important frontier region? He granted lands and encouraged the settlement of the Ellots here. It is in this manner and for this reasoning that the Elliot's were granted lands in Liddesdale by Robert the Bruce in 1320. One thing is certain, the Elliots comprised a major part of the military forces of the great House of Douglas, who held Hermitage Castle and the Lordship of Liddesdale for 150 years, until 1508. A Berwickshire pedigree shows an Ellot of Redheugh was living in the early 1400s. John Elwalde from Teviotdale is recorded in 1426. Robert Ellot of Redheugh appears as the tenth chief in 1476, and from that time the "formal" history of the clan can be said to have begun. In 1470, Robert built a strong tower on a cliff.  |
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The Elliott's and HermitageThe "wild district", of Scotland in which was centered on Hermitage Castle was inhabited by the great "riding" clans - The Elliots and Armstrongs.. The Elliots were so independent and difficult to control and the chief of the clan demanded and eventually recieved special consideration. The "Keeper of Liddesdale" was appointed. The responsibility of the person holding this position was very similar to those of the Wardens, the only difference being they were in charge of a smaller area. The Keeper of Liddesdale took part in the Wardens meetings. This "Keeper of Liddesdale" had "assistance" from the Elliot Chief of Redheugh, who most of the time also held the Captaincy of Hermitage Castle. Near the end of the 15th century when reiving was at its height, one sixth of the whole of the Scottish Border military force was stationed at Hermitage. This explains somewhat of the importance that Hermitage was to Scotland. The Assistant Warden or Deputy, meant that Elliot Clan of Redheugh was also held the title of "Deputy Keeper of Liddesdale". Although this theroy was sound, the everchanging parade of Wardens in the 16th, caused more problems than it solved. In the borders lawlessness and chaos reigned, and the Border clans and families in this area ruled themselves; and each clan's chief was were the loyality of the people resided. Hermitage Castle This is a photograph taken of Hermitage, the date and origin of this photograph is not known. Hermitage is located on Hermitage Water, on the Scottish Boarders. This great impressive fortress is located about 5 miles north of Newcastleton, just north of Hermitage Water, on the Scottish Boarders. It is now owned by Historic Scotland and is open to the public... If you are interested in finding out more about Hermitage here is a link that has more details: http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/Hermitage.htm The Elliott's and FloddenRobert Elliot, the 13th Chief died in the Battle of Flodden in 1513, along with King James IV. Much of Scottish nobility died in this battle. Ellot the 13th chief (or Elwold) was killed there as were 3 of his sons.... It was from his third son that the Elliot's of Arkleton stem. Sources also claim that he had a daughter Mary that married Cuthbert Blackadder of that Ilk, and that she had a son living in 1447... In 1565, Scott of Buccleuch executed 4 Elliots for reiving. This event was what started the famous feud between the Elliots and the Scotts. Three hundred Elliots rode out to avenge their kinsmen. Both clans sustained very heavy losses. The Scott's finally sought and received terms from the Elliots. Queen Elizabeth gave the Elliot nobles large payments for damages done by the Scott's... It is not clearly known why this agreement was made. There were very close ties with Elliot's and the very powerful Red Douglas Clan. The next event that the Elliots took part in was in 1569 - in the form of Little Jock Elliot. James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell and the future husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Bothwell was wounded by an Elliot in a battle around Hermitage Castle. The end result, a Royal force of nearly 4000 men ravaged the Elliot's lands and any clan that happened to live nearby. Little Jock Elliot was a member of the same powerful border family, (the Elliots of Liddesdale) that William Elliot of Larriston the Lion of Liddesdale was. By the 16th Century as the Elliots became more powerful and independant. They reclaimed the leadership of Liddesdale from the Armstrongs, after the execution of Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie by King James V. The Elliots remained consistent enemies of England. The neverending complaints of their unrelenting raids on those over the border in England continued to cascade to the ears of the Wardens. The power and independence of the clan was only broken when King James VI succeeded to the England in 1603. After the Union of the CrownsIn 1603 James the VI of Scotland became James the I, of England. One of the first policies James set forth were new laws to bring peace to the borders. James assigned commission of ten men, 5 from each side of the border to administer his policies; and these men were given unlimited powers by him. New new law: it was proclaimed that "...If any Englishman steal in Scotland or any Scotsman steal in England any goods or cattle which amount to 12 pence, he shall be punished by death..." The most blatant offenders were rounded up and served with what was known as Jeddert Justice - which was immediate execution without trial. Many innocent people were put to death.... Sir George Home was one of the men appointed and he was ruthless, hanging 140 of the most powerful thieves in all the borders. The Border Clans had endured such purges in the past but this time the border's headmen joined in the proceedings and turned against their own kinsmen. Buccleuch himself hanged and drowned many of his former companions. Naturally the Elliot Clan, as did other Border families bitterly resented the New Commission. With disregard to these new laws, the Armstrongs and Elliots mounted a massive raid on Redesdale. Because of this they were singled out for exile to Ireland. None of these measures were totally effective and some some did return home. Because the central government was now combined into one they could not play England against Scotland, as they successfully did in the past. During the first year of the reign of King James, many executions took place. The list reads as 32 Elliots, Armstrongs, Johnstones to name just a few. After the Union of the Crowns, the Elliots, together with many other Border clans, were scattered and their lands confiscated. Many were forcibly sent to Ulster and America. Some moved into Northumberland where the name is quite common. Robert Elliot of Redheugh went into exile in Fife, leaving his broad lands in Liddesdale. This "Pacification" of the Borders the Elliots suffered severely, perhaps more than any other clan. . Their territory the clan lived in was centered mainly in Teviotdale and Rulewater; the Chief lived at Stobs, near Hawick. Currently the 14th Chief of the Clan, Sir Arthur Eliott Bt., lives again in the very lands granted to his forefathers. He lives at Redheugh in Liddesdale. The very same lands which were originally granted to the clan Chief in about 1320 by Robert the Bruce. It is claimed that these lands have belonged to Elliot Clan and members of it's family for close to 650 years. Another famous Eliot was, Sir John Eliot. Sir John was the "emotional" leader of the English House of Commons. When the king sent his officers to serve the petition to dissolve parliament they were forcibly held down in their chairs until three resolutions were put through condemning the current form of the "Kings Government". Parliament was not held again until 1640. Elliot was put in prison for his actions. Sir John Eliot 1592-1632, English parliamentary leader. He was a staunch defender of parliamentary liberties. Eliot instituted (1626) the impeachment proceedings against Charles I's favorite, the 1st duke of Buckingham, and joined Sir Edward Coke and others in promoting the Petition of Right, which was presented to the king in 1628. In 1629 he read a protest in the House of Commons against arbitrary taxation and the advance of "popery," while the speaker was held in the chair by force in defiance of the king's order of adjournment. Eliot was committed to the Tower of London numerous times; he died there in 1632. Gilbert Elliot gained lands at Stobs in the 1630's and his eldest son was a member of parliament for Roxburghshire in the 1640's. Gilbert's grandson, also a member of parliament, was knighted by King Charles II and created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1666. Sir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs became clan's chief in 1673. The third Baronet remodeled the old Tower of Stobs into a mansion house around 1764. His second son, George, was a distinguished soldier who was rewarded for his spirited defense of Gibraltar in 1782 with a peerage and was created Lord Heathfield . General George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar 1717-90,was a British general. In 1775 he was appointed governor of Gibraltar, he was forced to defend it against a combined Spanish and French siege that lasted three and a half years (1779-83). For this memorable defense he was raised to the peerage in 1787. His name also appears as Elliott. He lived to see the start of the French Revolution and died at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) on his way to resume his old command as Governor of Gibraltar, thus narrowly missing his fourth major war as a serving soldier. The Elliots of Stobs go back to Gawain Elliot of Stobs in the late 16th century, who was descended from the Elliots of Redheugh ..... The Elliot's and StobsThe Stobs branch of the Elliot's most famous during this time was Gilbert Elliot of Stobs (1651-1718) He was also known as "Gibbie with the Golden Garters" He was convicted of high treason in 1685 for plotting against the Catholic Duke of York, a story within itself. Gilbert was pardoned, and after the accession of William of Orange in 1689. He was knighted, appointed Clerk to the Privy Council, and created Lord Minto. Gilbert's son, also named Gilbert (1693-1766), attained the title of Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland. He was the father of the famous Jane Elliot of Minto the author of the traditional song/ballad "The Flowers of the Forest", which gave account of the Battle of Flodden. Jane Elliot of Minto (1727-1805) Sadly, the estate of Stobs passed from family hands at the turn of this century. The Stobs is located right outside of Harwick. 
Castle Stobs This picture was taken around 1900. Stobs is located right outside of Harwick. It is about 10 miles north of Hermitage castle. The Stobs Estate and 10,000 acres of it lands were sold to British war department in 1903. Stobs was first remodeled from the "Tower of Stobs" to a mansion house in 1764 , by the third Baronet, Sir Gilbert Elliot. Gilbert's second son, George, was a distinguished soldier and General who was famous for his, "Defense of the Rock", which was claimed to be, "... one of the most glorious achievements in British Naval History." For this, he was grated formal title and raised to, "peerage" in 1787... His title - General George Augustus Eliott of Stobs, 1st Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar. Stobs, in the early 1700's became "library" of sorts for all family records. It housed all documents concerning Elliot genealogy, and records of various other clans had been gathered there to... The very unfortunate "burning", of such documents that took place in 1712, is said to be perhaps be of malicious intent, and was no mere accident. Another famous account was of a Gilbert Elliott, that was a cadet of Nethermilne. Gilbert’s two sons Charles and Edward, took part in the Jacobite Uprising of 1715, an unsuccessful effort to throw off the yoke of English domination. Charles was wounded in the fighting at the Dutch East India Company and raised his family in the East Indies. His descendants crossed the Pacific Ocean and sources claim that they were early settlers in California. The grandson of "Gibbie" was Gilbert (1751-1814), he became the 1st Earl of Minto and was the Governor General of India from 1806-1813. Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto was a diplomat who served first in Corsica, then in Vienna, finally becoming Governor General of Bengal. While serving in India he expanded British possessions in the East Indies and rid merchant shipping of the menace of pirates in Borneo. He returned from India in 1813 to be created Earl of Minto and Viscount Melgund. His great grandson Gilbert 1847-1914, the fourth Earl of Minto, became the Governor General of Canada from 1898-1904. He also was the Viceroy of India 1905 thru 1910. Gilbert served in the 1st Boer War, Egypt, in which he was an officer. He drove several times in the Grand National before succeeding to the title, and won the corresponding French race (the Grand Steeplechase de Paris) in 1874. The present Earl of Minto it is said active in government in the Borders. He was born in 1928 and was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1948. He served in Malaya (1949-51), after which he was appointed ADC to the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, then, in 1953-55, ADC to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff; he was thereafter ADC to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Cyprus. After retiring from the Army, he spent some time running the home farm at Minto. In 1974 he was elected to the Borders Regional Council. He served on the Council for eight years, becoming one of its most popular and respected members. He is a Brigadier in the Royal Company of Archers, the Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland. One of the sons of the 6th Baronet of Stobs immigrated to Australia. He became Speaker of the Queensland Parliament from 1860 thru 1871. He immigrated to Australia, in 1839 and founded Australian branch, ( Cadets of Stobs). The first speaker of the Queensland Parliament, married daughter of Rev. Robert Elliot, Rector of Wheldrake, Yorkshire, died 1871.) He had 4 children. The family still lives there. Currently, one of the best-known members of the clan was the Rt. Hon. Walter Elliot of Harwood, C.H., F.R.S. (1888-1958), the son of a tenant farmer and auctioneer who had bought the estate towards the end of his life. Walter Elliot served as a Doctor with the Royal Scots Greys in the First World War. He served as Minister of Agriculture (1932-36), Secretary of State (1936-38) and as Minister of Health, (1938-40). He also served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1956 and in 1957. For a time the Elliot chiefs resided in America, but in 1932 the tenth Baronet reclaimed the ancient holding of Redheugh where he died in 1958. The present chief is the daughter of Sir Arthur Elliot, eleventh Baronet and twenty-eighth chief of the Elliot Clan. Sir Arthur passed away on April 6, 1989. His daughter, Margaret, was installed as Clan Chief. There being no bar to female succession to a Scottish chiefship, she assumed her father’s seat on the Council of Chiefs, but the baronetcy passed to a male heir. A Few Elliott/Elliot Loyalists in CanadaElliot - Lieutenant-Colonel William, KB - Royal Canadian Rifles - died 17th December 1845. Memorial at St. Mark's Church, Niagara, Canada - "Sacred to the memory of Lieut. Col. Wm. Elliot, K.B., of the R.C. Rifle Regt. Colonel commanding Niagara frontier, who died at Niagara, Dec. 17th, 1845, aged 55 years. 39 years of his life were devoted to his country, he having served in most of the glorious victories of the Peninsular War. This tablet is erected by the officers of the Royal C. Rifle Regt., as a memorial of affection and of sincere regret for his lamented death." Elliott - Major John - 4th Light Dragoons - died 5th July 1837.Grave at Simla. "Sacred to the memory of Major John Elliott. Captain in H.M.'s 4th Light Dragoons and Asst. Adjt Genl. King's Troops in India, who departed this life on the 5th July 1837." Elliot - Cornet R. - King's Dragoon Guards - died 30th April 1860. Memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Bangalore. "Sacred to the memories of: Cornet R. Elliot, Kings Dragon Guards died at Madras 30 April 1860. Cornet J. Greatorex, KDG, died at Bangalore 19 March 1861. Cornet W.T. Jay, Lt. Caw. who died while on service with the Left Wing King's Dragoon Guards in China 4 December 1860. Cornet H.W. Cockerell, MLC, died while doing duty with the KDG at Bangalore 8 August 1860. Erected by the Officers King's Dragoon Guards and the Officers M.L. Cavalry attached." Matthew Elliott - United Empire LoyalistAccording to numerous sources, most important organization within the British colonial government during the Rebellion/War of 1812 was the Indian Department. The main objective and this organization’s overall goal was to seek out then employ men who had close relationships with Natives in the Ohio Valley and Southern Canadian regions. Matthew Elliott, Thomas McKee, Robert Dickson, and William Caldwell all served as officers of the Indian Department for the British government at various times. Elliott's ties were indeed particularly strong... Matthew was listed of reaching rank of Captain, but British and Canadian sources indicate that he was Lt. Colonel; he was stationed at Fort Amherstburg and at Fort Detroit. His 19 year old son another Matthew, that joined British Army in 1813 (present at battle of Frenchtown), also served with him. There was another Elliott a Colonel William Elliott that also was stationed at Fort Amherstburg. It is thought that this may have been Mattthew Sr's brother or perhaps a cousin. Sources also list his name as Elliot. Matthew was listed as one of the first Officiers of the Scottish Regiments in The Royal Canadian Legion of Canada. For more information: History of The Essex Scottish Regiments - THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION. Canadian/British records indicate that Matthew Elliott served as Captain in Indian Dept., from 1777-84. Listed him officialy as: Superintendent, Lt. Colonel Matthew Elliott, Sr., Amherstburg. These records state also that he died near Burlington Heights, Upper Canada, 7 May 1814, at 75 years of age. Other sources state that he died about 1818. There was a Matthew Elliott that was elected three times to the Ontario Legislature for Essex South and documentation that shows that he amassed thousands of acres of property. Matthew Elliott married Sarah Donovan, daughter of Matthew Donovan, one of Detroit's early schoolmasters, sometime around 1810. Matthew and Sarah had 2 children. Elliott/Elliot Name OriginsThe name Elliot has obscure beginnings... 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 King other ruled East Anglia to the South. Aelfweald means Elf Ruler.ö.... Some even claim direct ties to Boudicca.... The name Elliott had a similar sound to names like Aethelgeat and Aelfweald. The root word el in the old Indo-European language meant a spirit or a god. Still others insist that the Elliots are "Noble and Ancient Tribe/Clan of Caledonii" and were there many years ago and defended Scotland against the Romes most gallant armies.... There is mounting evidence that suggests some of Elliot's (and other border famlies too) may be also related to Roman soldiers of Sarmation(Iazyge) descent that that were stationed at Hadrian's Wall. In 181 AD, there is record that many of the Soldiers of VI Victrix mutinied... This legion was comprised primarily of Sarmation conscripts (were specialized cavalry units)that originated from the Danube region. In 175 AD the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelias, defeated the Iazyges tribe of Alans. He took them into Roman service and eventually many of them settled in "Northern Britain", at Ribchester, south of Lancaster. The Alans were assigned to the VI Legion Victrix. It is recorded that approximately 6,000 "Alans" came. These people specialized in horse breeding and were excellent equestrians.... And it is believed they brought over well over 10,000 horses with them. The troops on the western Wall were mostly cavalry. The fore mentioned seems to indicate that perhaps some of the "Border Reiver" qualities may have sprung from abilities and military skills of these people. The surname has four different spellings which are Eliot, Eliott, Eliot and Elliott. The last spelling is unpopular by the Scottish border Eliotts. According to an old rhyme: "The De`il Ken Whae They May Be" Double T and Single L the Eliotts in Stobs do dwell, Double L and Single T the Elliots of Minto and WolfeLee, Single L and Single T the Eliots of St.Germains be, But double L and double T the de`il kens who they may be... The modern rhyme is somewhat kinder to us ELLIOTT's: 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... These rhymes are a lighthearted guide to the origins of certain branches of the Elliot Clan or family. I'm sure that 500 years ago it was probably taken much more seriously than it is today. The main reason for the different spellings was to do just what the rhyme states - so one could more easily differentiate between various branches of the family. I would not suggest that it implies any negative connotations, if you happen to be an Elliott. (as I am) My great grandfather had his last name changes 2 times within 10 years, compliments of "The Army of the Potomac". The biggest problem with the Elliott spelling is that it is much harder to trace. Many of us that live here in the US and in Canada have been named such; it is the most favored here in the US. Excellent Books on Scottish and Related Histories:Book Detailing the Elliot Clan's Genealogical History:This book traces 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. 
 www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk elliott and border reivers DNA Project border reivers official elliot clan site elliot clan USA genealogy project page scottish gazetteer and people electric scotland border reivers maps for sale the history of Alans/Sarmations ancient Iranian-Scythian histories elliot clan message board (Yahoo Groups) www.tartans.com (elliot message board) elliott sites misc search Dogpile ancestral findings genealogy.com rootsweb site burkes peerage scotland ancestry.com genealogy.org elliot clan USA genealogy project page 
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