EXTRACT FROM 'THE SURNAMES OF SCOTLAND'

ARCHIBALD. A surname derived from the personal name Archibald. in OE Arcebald, Arcenbald, or Ercenbald and doubtfully explained as meaning 'right bold' or 'holy prince'. Archebaldus filius Swani de Forgrunde is mentioned in reign of William the Lion. Erchnbaldus, Abbot of dunfermelyne mentioned c. 1180, appears again in the same record as Arkebaldus and Arkenbaldus. Thomas, the brother of Erkenbaldus, witnessed the gift of the church of Kilmaurs to the Abbey of Kelso before 1189, and Arkembaldus de Duffus was witness to an agreement between the bishop of Moray and John Buseth concerning the churches of Coneway and Dulbatelauch between 1203 - 34. Robert Archebalde had a charter of the Hospital of Roxburgh in 1390 from Robert III and John Archibald was a witness in St. Andrews in 1545. The "of" (de) form of the personal name is found in Archambaud (earl of Dougles), 1405. Harrison's explanation of the use of Archibald for Gaelic Gillespie is probably correct. "Archibald was adopted by the Scots as a Lowland equivalent of Gillespie because the -bald was mistakenly supposed to mean 'hairless', 'shaven', 'servant' and therefore to be equivalent to Gael. gille 'servant', 'shaven one', 'monk'. Harchbald (earl of Argyll) 1493, Archombaldus 1233, Arkanbaldus 1228, Enkerbaldus a. 1189. (This information provided by our good friend Elaine from Britain.)

Source of information: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/9229/

 

Source of information: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/9229/

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COPYRICHT

Aa richts is pitten by. Nae pairt o this darg shuid be doobelt, hained in onie kin o
seestem, or furthset in onie kythin or bi onie gate whitsomeiver, athoot haein leave
frae the writer afore-haund.   

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