The Derivation
Arbuthnott is the name of an exact geographical location.
Those who have the surname Arbuthnot or Arbuthnott must have an ancestor who came from
that place or at least from within the parish of Arbuthnott, the barony and ecclesiastical
district of which Arbuthnott castle and church would have been the administrative centre.
The Meaning of the Name
The name Arbuthnot(t) comes from the celtic Aberbuthenot or
Aberbothenoth meaning 'the place where the burn called Buthenot(h) joins the (Bervie)
waters'.
This is derived from -
ABER - the confluence or joining of a small stream to a river.
BUTHENOT(H) - 'little one of (healing) power'. (This name was also given to other
streams and springs believed to have the power to cure sickness in cattle or other
creatures).
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