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Nec sorte, nec fato (Neither by chance, nor fate)
The Rutherfords (also Rutherfurd) are a Borders family centred on Roxburghshire; the Clan Rutherfurd Society traces its earliest charter record to about 1140. The family fought at the 1575 Battle of the Redeswire, which the society calls the last actual battle fought between England and Scotland, and later produced Andrew Rutherford, created Lord Rutherford in 1661 and Earl of Teviot in 1663, who was killed at Tangier in 1664 while governor there. No chief is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
Clan Rutherford Crest
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Clan Rutherford Tartan Highland Christmas Tree Skirt
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Clan Rutherford Tartan Rug – Scottish Highland Carpet for Living Room, Celtic Home Decor & Scotland Gift
Rutherford
Crest & Motto
The motto of Clan Rutherford is Nec sorte, nec fato (Neither by chance, nor fate). It appears on the Clan Rutherford crest badge: the chief’s heraldic crest set inside a strap and buckle that carries the motto.
In Scotland a crest belongs to the chief, not to everyone with the surname. Clan members may wear the crest badge, with the crest inside the strap and buckle, to show that they belong to the clan. The plain crest without the strap remains the chief’s own.
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View all Rutherford productsRobertus dominus de Rodyrforde witnesses a charter of David I[3]
Richard Rutherford of Littleheuch leads Jedburgh's burghers at the Battle of the Redeswire[3]
Andrew Rutherford is created Lord Rutherford[5]
Andrew Rutherford is created Earl of Teviot and made Governor of Tangier[5]
Andrew Rutherford is killed at Tangier; the earldom becomes extinct[5]
Map outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Pins use official Historic Environment Scotland grid references.
These family names are connected with Clan Rutherford. Each list says who records the link.
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Nec sorte, nec fato — 'Neither by chance, nor fate', per COSCA.
No chief is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
The Clan Rutherfurd Society traces the earliest record to about 1140, when Robertus dominus de Rodyrforde witnessed a charter by David I to Gervase de Rydal. The society also records an etymology deriving the name from a ford crossing, 'Ruddervoorde, or a knight's river crossing'.
In 1575 Richard Rutherford of Littleheuch, son of the 'Cock of Hunthill' and then provost of Jedburgh, led the town's burghers into the fight. The Clan Rutherfurd Society calls it the last actual battle fought between England and Scotland.
Andrew Rutherford, created Lord Rutherford by patent of 10 January 1661 and Earl of Teviot on 2 February 1663; he was named governor of Tangier that same year and was killed in a sally against the Moors on 4 May 1664. The earldom of Teviot became extinct, but by a settlement he executed on 23 December 1663 his estates and the title of Lord Rutherford passed to Sir Thomas Rutherford of Hunthill, who was served heir in 1665.
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Clan HomeThe Clan Rutherfurd Society says the Rutherfords had been allies and members of Clan Home.