ROBERTSON: 'son of Robert,' which see. William Robertson (fils Robert), a Scot going abroad, had English letters of protection in 1371 (Bain, IV, 195). Mauricius filius Roberti elected sergeant in Aberdeen, 1399 (Guildry, p. 184). Thomas Roberti (Latin genitive form) was burgess of Montrose, 1435 (REB., II, 47), Thomas Robertson a Scot, had a safe conduct to travel in England in 1444 (Bain, IV, 1175), and in 1464 John Robertsoune was master of the ship Marie of Leith (ibid., 1343). John Roberti was witness in Brechin, 1477 (REB., I, 202), in 1511 Andree Roberti was tenant under the bishop of Aberdeen (REA., I, p. 360), and Sir Valter Robertsone was vicar of Abyrdowr in 1556 (CMN., p. 72). In 1456 Rich. Roberti is mentioned in the body of a document and in signature R. Robertsone (LSC., p. 172). Similarly in 1541 an attestation begins Et Ego Alexr Roberti," while the signature is Alexr Robertsone (ibid., p. 130). David Robertson was provost of Monybole, 1480 (Friars Ayr, p. 57). Duncan Robertson of Atholia had a second son, Patrick, from whose eldest son, Donald, descended the Robertsons of Lude; from his second son, Alexander, the Robertsons of Straloch, and from his daughter the Farquharsons of Invercauld. Jacob Robertson of Struan was physician or 'life-medicus' of Gustavus Adolphus and Queen Christina (SHR., XXV, p. 290). Archibald Robertson (1765—1835), born in Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, while a guest of the first president of the United States, painted from life the miniatures on ivory of General and Martha Washington. The English name of Clann Donnchaidh, is from Robert, who, upon the murder of James I by the earl of Atholl and his accomplice, Graham, was fortunate enough to arrest Graham, together with the Master of Atholl, after the commission of the deed.

Donnacha Reamhar, 'Fat Duncan,' the friend of Bruce, was first of the Robertson chiefs, hence their name Clann Donnachie. William became chief of Stuan in 1509. "It was this William who first assumed the name of Robertson. During the first half of the 16th century its use became quite general with all the members of the clan, but in Gaelic they still continued to be called Claim Donnacha-Duncan's children:- as the result of their descent from Dunan the Fat" (Stewart, A Highland parish, p. 131). The earls of Portmore were traditionally descended from the Robertsons of Struan. but their lineage beyond the grandfather of the first peer has not been traced, and it is still doubtful whether Colyear or Robertson was their original patronymic (Ruchan, Peeblesshire, II, p. 501).

See Robert. A Highland clan bear this name. The Robertsons of Struan, co. Perth, are unquestionably one of the oldest families in Scotland, descending both from the Mac Donalds, Lords of the Isles, and from the ancient Earls of Athol. The surname is derived from Robert, son of Duncan (de Atholia) who arrested the murderers of James I., and for that service received a royal charter, erecting his lands into a free barony, A.D. 1451. Alexander, his son, adopted the surname Robertson, which became persistent.

The son of Robert. The family are descended from the ancient Earls of Athol, who were derived from Duncan, king of Scotland, son of Malcolm Canmore. The name was assumed by Alexander, son of that Robert who arrested the murderers of James I, and for which act James II granted him for a crest a hand supporting a regal crown.

The Robertsons of Northumberland are probably derived from the Robertsons of Scotland who are especially numerous in the Scottish border counties.