Clan Gibson Crest
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CREST: A pelican vulning Proper MOTTO: Pandite coelestes portae TRANSLATION: Open ye heavenly gate VARIATIONS: N/A |
| The Gibson name whispers its first historical breaths from an etymology rooted in the personal, ‘son of Gib’ – a diminutive of Gilbert. This seemingly modest beginning belies the remarkable journey this clan would undertake, traversing through the annals of Scottish history.
Our story finds its footing in the scenic landscapes of Fife, where the Gibsons, particularly the Gibsons of Durie, began to etch their mark. It was here, in this corner of Scotland, that they founded a lineage of legal minds, a legacy initiated by the eminent Sir Alexander Gibson. Elevated to the Bench as Lord Durie in 1621, Sir Alexander not only solidified the Gibson’s status in legal circles but also intertwined their lives with other notable Scottish families, including his marriage into the family of Sir Thomas Craig, a renowned expert on feudal law. |
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| The Gibsons’ story is as much about symbols as it is about people. The family arms, granted by none other than the pope, are believed to have been an honor bestowed upon a 15th-century laird of Durie. These arms bear symbols that evoke the keys of St Peter, a nod, perhaps, to the spiritual authority and esteem the family had garnered.
In 1633, the Gibsons expanded their influence, purchasing the barony of Pentland near Edinburgh. Here, they left an indelible mark, not least through the imposing family mausoleum still standing in Old Pentland Graveyard. The title of baronets of Nova Scotia further embellished their noble status. But not all was smooth in the Gibson narrative. Sir Walter Scott, in his “Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border,” captures a darker chapter – the harrowing tale of the alleged kidnapping of Alexander Gibson. This event, mired in legal and political intrigue, involved figures such as Willie Armstrong and the Earl of Traquair and underscored the volatile nature of the times. As generations passed, the Gibson legacy continued to evolve. Sir John Gibson, the sixth Baronet, added a twist to the family story by adopting the additional surname of Carmichael. This was a period of expanding horizons, and Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael, the eleventh Baronet, exemplified this as he held governorships in Madras and Bengal, a far cry from the hills of Fife. The passage of time saw the family representation passing through various lines, reflecting the ebb and flow of family fortunes and changing societal norms. By 1810, the Gibson name was revitalized in the family line, symbolizing not just continuity but also adaptability. |
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