Stuart of Bute

Clan Crest: A demi-lion rampant, Gules, armed and langued, Azure

Clan Motto: Nobilis Est Ira Leonis (The Lions Anger is Noble)

Lands: Bute, Arran and Cumbrae

Clan Chief: John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute

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Stuart of Bute Clan History

Sir John Stewart, who was born between 1345 and 1390, is the ancestor of the Stuarts of Bute. Sir John Stewart was Robert II of Scotland's son and was known as 'The Black Stewart' (either because of his dark complexion or because his brother, John of Dundonald, was known as 'The Red Stewart').

Robert III established Bute, Arran, and Cumbrae as counties, and Sir John was appointed hereditary sheriff to the lands in a Royal Charter in 1400.

Between 1445 and 1449, James Stewart was sheriff of Bute, and he was succeeded by his brother William, who was also keeper of Brodick Castle on Arran.

Ninian Stewart, William's grandson, was appointed sheriff as well as hereditary captain and keeper of the royal Castle of Rothesay in 1498. The family retains the honor, which is depicted in the Coat of Arms.

Ninian was succeeded in 1539 by his son James, who was succeeded in turn by his son John in 1570. In addition to being sheriff, John served as Commissioner for Bute and attended Parliament in Edinburgh. Around this time, the Stuarts adopted the French spelling of their surname, which had been introduced by Mary, Queen of Scots. Charles I created Sir James Stuart of Bute a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1627.

In the reign of Queen Anne, his grandson, Sir James Stuart of Bute, was made a Privy Councilor and became Earl of Bute, Viscount Kingarth, and Lord Mount Stuart, Cumra and Inchmarnock in 1703. He was later appointed as Scotland's Commissioner for Trade and Police, Lord Lieutenant of Bute, and Lord of the Bedchamber. He was the commander of the Bute and Argyll militia at Inveraray in 1715.

John Stewart, the third Earl of Bute, was Prince George's friend and tutor. When George III was born, John was made a Privy Councillor and First Lord of the Treasury. In 1763, he signed a treaty with France that ended the Seven Years' War.

In 1792, John Crichton-Stuart, John Stewart's heir, was appointed Earl of Bute and later 2nd Marquess of Bute. He went on to develop Cardiff's docklands, and with the opening of the Bute Docks in 1839, Cardiff became the world's largest coal port.

The architect William Burgess collaborated with the 3rd Marquess, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, on the extensive restoration of Castle Coch and Cardiff Castle.

Johnny Bute (known as Johnny Dumfries) is the 7th Marquess and current Chief, who had a successful racing career, winning the Le Mans in 1988.

Mount Stuart is the clan seat of the Stuart of Bute. The 3rd Marquess rebuilt the grand gothic mansion in the 19th century after it was damaged by fire in 1877.

Stuart of Bute Places & People

Bute Places Stuart

Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute. Built in 1877 for the Marquess of Bute.

Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute.

Bute People Stuart

Stuart, John MacDonald (1815-1866)

Stuart, who was born in Fife, boarded the first available ship to Australia after discovering his fiancée and best friend kissing. With his civil engineering training, he found work as a draughtsman for explorer Charles Sturt.

By 1858, he was leading his own expeditions, demonstrating exceptional speed, endurance, medicine, botany, and astronomy. Stuart became the first man to reach the center of the continent after winning a £2000.95 prize for charting a route suitable for the proposed Overland Telegraph.

However, it took him five attempts before he was successful from the South coast to the North on July 25, 1862. The return trip south cost him his health, and he died a year after returning to London. The Overland Telegraph, which used his route from Darwin to Adelaide, was completed in 1872.

Stuart of Bute Tartans

Stuart of Bute

Stuart of Bute Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Stuart of Bute Crest:

Crest: A demi-lion rampant, Gules, armed and langued in Azure.

Coats of Arms for Stuart of Bute:

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.

Bute Arms Marquess

Jacoby Stuart of Yeochrie, Baron of Yeochrie, Flight Capt. Richard Downing

Arms: Or, a fess chequy Azure and Argent between a Cross Gules surmounted in chief by a pair of Wings Azure and a balance Purpure in base. Above the Shield is his Feudo-Baronial Mantle Gules, doubled of silk Argent, fur-edged of miniver, collar Ermine, and fastened on the right shoulder by five spherical buttons. Or, a Chapeau Gules furred Ermine (in honor of his feudal Barony of Yeochrie), a Helm befitting his degree, and a Mantling Azure doubled. Or,

Crest: A Pelican Argent, Ducally gorged Gules, feeding her young Proper, in her nest.

'MORS POTIOR MACULA' means 'Death Before Infamy.'

a standard four yards in length of four tracts or and Azure, split at the end, having Azure, a St. Andrews Cross Argent in the hoist with the Motto 'MORS POTIOR MACULA' in letters Gules upon two transverse bands Argunt which Chapeau, Mantle, Badge, and Standard are destined to the petitioner and his heirs which Chapeau, Mantle, Badge, and Standard are destined to the petitioner and his heir