Article
Elliot
Old English: Elwold
Badge: An arm holding a sword
Latin Motto: Forfirteret recte (with stength and right)
The name Eliott is believed to derive from the village of Eliot in Angus. Legend has it that the extra "t" in Eliott arose when a branch of the Elliotts adopted Christianity. The 't' was in reality meant to be a cross. In the time of King Robert the Bruce the Clan Eliott moved to Teviotdale in the Borders in order to protect King Robert the Bruce's son who was also called Robert and who had become Lord of Liddesdale.
The chief of the clan was usually appointed Captain of Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale. The Eliotts became famous as one of the great Scottish "riding" clans supporting King James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. Of the Chiefs' direct line, several were distinguished as judges and empire builders. The most famous were Gen. George Augustus Eliott, who was governor of Gibraltar in 1779, and Sir Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Baronet, who was created 1st Earl of Minto: he followed his father into politics and in 1794 was made Viceroy of Corsica.
In 1807, Lord Minto was appointed Governor General of India. In the nineteenth century Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto (1845-1914), is remembered in the sporting world for having broken his neck riding in the Grand National. The mishap had no permanent effects and he was Governor-General of Canada before succeeding Lord Curzon as Viceroy of India in 1905.
The tartan was first recorded by H. Whyte in his book, 'The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland' (1906),
Choose from one of the Elliot tartans listed below:
