Scottish Family Names A

AGNEW

NAME ON MAP: AGNEV OLD COUNTY: Wigtownshire DATE: 1436 MEANING: there are two possible sources. The spelling Agnev, recorded in 1436, suggests a derivation from one of the original Ulster tribes that came to Galloway in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. In Ireland the name Agnew is usually an Anglicization of O'Gneeve. However, a William des Aigneu, from Agneaux in Normandy was granted land in Liddersdale in 1190, and the name (which means `lambs' in NORMAN‑FRENCH ) may descend from him. The Agnews were appointed Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway in 1363 and have always been associated with that area.

ANSTRUTHER

NAME ON MAP: see under place‑names. HISTORY: William de Candela possessed this barony in 1153. The name Candela came from Candel in Dorset, England, which had been given to the Norman family of Malherbe after the Conquest. William's grandson was the first to use Anstruther as a surname.

ARBUTHNOTT

NAME ON MAP: see under place‑names. HISTORY: Hugh de Swintun obtained the lands of Arberbuthenoth from Walter Olifard (see the entry for Oliphant) in c.1200.

ARMSTRONG

NAME ON MAP: ARMSTRONG OLD COUNTY: Cumberland DATE: 1235 MEANING: a nickname. Tradition has it that Fairbairn, armour‑bearer to an early king of Scotland, lifted his master onto his own horse after the king's had been killed in battle and was rewarded with lands in Cumberland (now in England but then in Scotland). By the late 14th century the clan was found in Liddersdale just north of the present border, where its lawlessness contributed much to the turbulence of these `Debatable Lands'.