Home / Scottish Clans - Histories, Tartans Crests and much more / Clan Trotter (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

Clan Trotter (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

Trotter

Clan Crest: A knight in armour, Proper, holding his courser, Argent, caparisoned, Gules

Clan Motto: In Promptu (In readiness)

Lands: Edinburgh

Clan Chief: Alexander Trotter of Mortonhall

⇨ View All Trotter Tartan Products

Trotter Clan History

This surname was common in the Borders, and Trotter of Prentannan, Berwickshire, was the head of the Trotter border clan. The name is also common in northern England, particularly in County Durham. The Trotters of Mortonhall, in the south of Edinburgh, are said to be one of the oldest Trotter families, dating back to the 14th century, during the reign of Robert II.

In 1370, John Trottir served as a juror at an inquisition in Berwick-upon-Tweed. A John Trottar of Fluriswall was recorded in 1478, and a declaration by John of Roull in 1479 was witnessed by George Trottar and Sanderis Trottar. In 1479, Parliament summoned John Trottare and Alexander Trottare to answer charges of treason and other crimes.

The Trotters of Catchelraw were another junior branch of the clan. Under royal warrants issued in 1437 and 1450, William Trotter of Catchelraw was tasked with keeping the peace on the Borders. His grandson served as the city treasurer of Edinburgh.

In 1512, John Trotter, son and heir of quondam Ninian Trotter, received a charter for a carucate (roughly 120 acres) known as Waringzes land in Coldingham, Berwickshire. The surname Trotter appears frequently in the Commissariot Record of Lauder between 1561 and 1800.

The Trotters of Catchelraw were Charles I of England supporters who were punished for assisting James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, during his campaign in 1645.

A direct descendant of a Flodden Trotter fought for John Graham, Viscount Dundee, at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. His grandson was the Reverend Robert Trotter, a distinguished academic who wrote a book about Christ and the Apostles. Dr. John Trotter kept the family's Jacobite sympathies alive by treating wounded Scots soldiers returning from England.

Postmaster General for Scotland was Robert Trotter of Bush, who died in 1807. At the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Thomas Trotter of Mortonhall was killed while serving with his squadron of Dragoons.

Alexander Richard Trotter of Mortonhall and 5th of Charterhall is the current chief.

Trotter Places & People

Trotter Locations

Pele near Duns in Berwickshire. The Trotter family owns the building, which dates from the 16th century. It got its unusual name during an English siege, when the inhabitants shared their rations one bite at a time.

Charterhall House is located near Duns. Trotters have held this position since the 15th century.

Trotter Tartans

Trotter has no official tartan; the most appropriate tartan is Edinburgh District:

Tartan of Edinburgh District

Trotter Crest & Coats of Arms

Trotter Clan Emblem:

A knight in armour, Proper, holding his courser, Argent, caparisoned, Gules.

Coats of Arms of Trotter:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.