The surname Galbraith is derived from the Gaelic elements gall, meaning "stranger", and Breathnach, meaning "Briton".[1] As such, the surname can be taken to mean "British foreigner",[2] "British Scandinavian",[3] "foreign Briton",[4] or "stranger-Briton".[5] The surname Galbraith can be rendered in Scottish Gaelic as Mac a' Bhreatannaich.[6]

The surname is borne by members of Clan Galbraith.[7] The clan is known in Gaelic as Clann a' Bhreatannaich.[4] The earliest recorded chief of this family may be "Gillcrist Bretnach", a man attested in 1193.[8] This man's name could indicate that he was either of Welsh[9] or North British ancestry.[10]

Early examples of forms of the surname include: "Gillescop Galbrad" in 1208×1214;[11] "Gillescop Galbrath" in 1208×1214;[12] "Gillescop Gallebrad" in 1208×1214;[13] "Wilielmo filio Arthuri filii Galbrait" in 1239;[14] "Gillaspec Galbraith" in 1208×1241;[15] and "Mauritio filio Gillaspic Galbraith" in 1208×1265.[16]

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Citations edit

Primary sources edit

  • Cartularium Comitatus de Levanax. Edinburgh: Maitland Club. 1833. hdl:2027/mdp.39015070200798.
  • "Document 3/14/1". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/2". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/3". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/8". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/17". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/29". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • "Document 3/17/30". People of Medieval Scotland, 1093–1371. n.d. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  • Liber Sancte Marie de Melrose: Munimenta Vetustiora Monasterii Cisterciensis de Melros. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club. 1837. OL 24829686M.
  • Registrum Episcopatus Glasguensis. Vol. 1. Edinburgh. 1843. OL 14037534M.
  • Registrum Monasterii de Passelet, Cartas Privilegia Conventiones Aliaque Munimenta Complectens, A Domo Fundata A.D. MCLXIII Usque Ad A.D. MDXXIX. Edinburgh. 1832. OL 24829867M.

Secondary sources edit