Robertson


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Robertson is a patronymic name meaning "son of Robert."  The surname is to be found in the north of England but is particularly popular in Scotland - because of national figures such as Robert the Bruce. 

The Robertson clan, which claims to be the oldest clan family in Scotland (descended from Mael Muire of Atholl), used the Gaelic form Donnachaidh.   It was Robert Donnachaidh who helped capture the assassins of King James I in 1437 and he was accordingly rewarded.  In the 15th century most if not all of the clan adopted the surname Robertson.  Their base was Struan in Perthshire.  They lost out in the 18th century because of their backing for the Jacobites.

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William Robertson was an 18th century Scottish historian and principal of Edinburgh University. 
Sir Dennis Robertson was a distinguished British economist who worked closely with John Milton Keynes in developing his new economic theories.
Sir William Robertson was Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the latter stages of the First World War.
Pat Robertson is an American tele-evangelist.
George Robertson, a British Labour politician from Scotland, served as Secretary General of NATO from 1999 to 2004.

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  • 86,000 in the UK (most numerous in Midlothian)
  • 47,000 in America (most numerous in Texas)
  • 47,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Australia)
Robertson is the #7 ranked surname in Scotland.