The same as OF. Guischard, from OF. wischard, 'prudent, sagacious.' William Wischard witnessed grant of the mill teind to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth, c. 1200 (Cambus., 86). John Wischard, witness in 1245, was present at perambulation of bounds of Conon and Tulloch, 1254 (LAC., 55; RAA., I, 366). William Wischard was a Culdee of St. Andrews, 1250 (Reeves, Culdees, p. 232). Adam Wiscard had charter of the land of Kenny Murchardyn, 1279 (RAA., I, p. 332), John Wychard of the Miernes rendered homage, 1296. Andrew Wycchard (Wyschard or Wychard) of Scotland, a prisoner of war in Hereford Castle, 1305-07 (Bain, II, 1668, 1934). George Wischart was burned for heresy at St. Andrews, 154 5/6, and a later George Wischart was first bishop of Edinburgh after the Restoration and private chaplain and biographer of the marquess of Montrose. The writer of the inscription on his tomb believed his name to mean Wise heart:" Hic recubat celebris doctor Sophocardius alter, entheus ille Σοφοσ χαρδιιν Agricola. In 1549 Queen Mary presented Mr. James Buchart or Buschart (apparently the same as Wischart) to the chaplainry called Towie (or Tollz) in the diocese of Ross (OPS., II, p. 473). Johnnett Wischart in Aberdeen was burnt for witchcraft, 1596 (SCM., I, p. 94), James Wisehartt or Wysehartt was burgess of Montrose, 1649 (REB., II, p. 247), and John Wishit was prisoner in Canongate Tolbooth, Edinburgh, 1686 (RPC., 3. ser. XII p. 232). Visart 1428, Vischart 1532, Vishert 1646, Vychart 1553, Vyschart 1442, Wischarte 1567, Wischeart 1508, Wiseheart 1676, Wisheart 1651, Wissart 1435, Wisscheart 1510, Wissheart 1692, Wschartt 1588, Wschert 1541, Wyischart 1563, Wyishart 1567, Wyschart 1442, Wysharde 1296, Wyssart 1485, Wythcharde 1490; Vischarge, Vischert, Whyssard, Wiscatd, Wischarde, Wischarge, Wischat, Wychart, and among the Scots Guards in France Oulchart.

(Anglo-French-Teut.) Wise, Sagacious [Old French guisc(h)ard, guiscart-Old Norse uizk-r, wise, &c. + the French intens. and diminutive suff. -ard, Old Teutonic hard, hart (Old Norse harð-r, hard] . . . take with the [thee] Syr Gawayn my neuew, Syre Wysshard, Syre Clegys, Syre Cleremond, and the Captayn of Cardef.—Morte d'Arthur, V. ix.

Perhaps the old personal name Guiscard. This seems likely, from the mediate form Wiscard in H.R.

The family are of ancient date in Forfarshire, and are descended from Robert, a natural son of David, Earl of Huntingdon, who having gone on a crusade to the Holy Land, was called Guishart, on account of the slaughter he made of the Saracens. Adam Wishart of Logie, was living in 1272.

Some ancient writers say, that Robert, son of David, Earl of Huntingdon, took on him the cross, and distinguished himself in the Holy Land, where, from his gallant exploits against the Saracens, he received the name of Guis—hart, that is, Wise—heart, now Wishart.