History Linked To My Family Tree: Origin & Meaning of the Stewart Surname

Scottish Stewart Coat of Arms

This famous clan surname is regarded as the royal name of Scotland. It is however arguably of Olde English pre 7th century origins as it derives from the ancient word "stigweard", the later steward, a compound of "stig" meaning household, and "weard", a guardian. As such it was the status and title used by an officer who controlled the domestic affairs of a royal or noble household. In Scotland after the 12th century it took on a meaning of even greater importance, and described the Steward of Scotland, the highest post in the kingdom, below that of the monarch. The Scottish royal family surname of Stuart or Stewart, the spellings have and continue to vary over the centuries, originated from their holding the hereditary office of High Steward over several centuries from about 1157. In so far that the royal family of Stewart family originally had a surname it was the French "Dapifer", the family of that name having come from Brittany, in Northern France after the conquest of England in 1066. King Robert 11nd, 1371 - 1392, was the first "Steward" to hold the crown of Scotland. The earliest recordings of the surname include Nicholas Staward of Somerset in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, and William le Fiz Stywarde of Berwick in 1296. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Rogere se Stiwerd. This was dated circa 1100, in the "Old English Byname Register". Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

At Present I am uncertain as to whether there is some connection to my paternal Stewart family from Ayrshire and the Royal line, however the documental proof of my mothers family connection is conclusive that there is a family connection through another line. My Ayrshire Stewarts line ended with my great grandmother Jane Reid Stewart who passed away in 1944, only a few weeks before the death of my grandmother, her daughter, Jean Stewart Dick.

My great grandmother, Jane Reid Dick nee Stewart

ROYAL STUART/STEWART LINE

Through my Cockburn line, my tree is also connected to the Royal Stewart line through the marriage of Lady Elizabeth Stewart to James, Master of Cranstoun. Their daughter Margaret Elizabeth married Patrick Cockburn, son of Sir Richard Cockburn of Clerkington and his wife Margaret Cockburn.

Lady Elizabeth's Parents were Francis Stewart (1st/last Earl Bothwell) and Lady Margaret Douglas. Francis's parents were John Stewart (1st Lord Darnley) and Prior of Coldingham and his mother was Lady Jean Hepburn. The link to the Stewart family becomes complicated at this point as John Stewart was technically born illegitimate however received the royal surname but was not allowed to inherit the crown although allowed to keep the land and title his father bestowed on him and his family. John's mother was Lady Elizabeth Carmichael, daughter of Sir John Carmichael and Lady Elizabeth Bruce of Airth. Lady Elizabeth was the mistress of King James V of Scotland and bore him 2 sons, John and his brother Robert. James went on to make the usual prudent marriage to protect the throne and married Marie de Guise, Princess of France, whose daughter was the infamous Mary Queen of Scots (picture below).