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Ab obice suavior (Gentler because of the obstruction)
Galbraith (Gaelic Mac a' Bhreatnaich, 'son of the Briton') is a Lennox family whose name marks descent from the Britons of Strathclyde rather than the Gaels. Its first recorded chief married a daughter of Alwyn Og and so connected the family to the Earls of Lennox; the Galbraiths held the island castle of Inchgalbraith in Loch Lomond and Culcreuch Castle in Stirlingshire, which was sold in 1630. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs lists no Galbraith chief today.
Clan Galbraith Crest
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Clan Galbraith Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name
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Clan Galbraith Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper
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Crest & Motto
The motto of Clan Galbraith is Ab obice suavior (Gentler because of the obstruction). It appears on the Clan Galbraith 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 Galbraith productsFirst recorded Galbraith chief marries into the family of the Earls of Lennox[2]
Maldoven, 3rd Earl of Lennox, grants Buthernock and Kyncaith lands[3]
Sir William Galbraith, 4th chief, serves as Co-Regent of Scotland[2]
Thomas Galbraith of Culcreuch taken at Talla Moss and hanged after a rising[3]
Robert Galbraith sells Culcreuch to Alexander Seton of Gargunnock and goes to Ireland[3]
Map outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Pins use official Historic Environment Scotland grid references.
These family names are connected with Clan Galbraith. Each list says who records the link.
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No chief is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, and the Clan Galbraith Association is seeking to identify one, including through its DNA project. In 1981 the Court of the Lord Lyon confirmed the family of Galbraith as a separate family, not a sept of MacDonald or MacFarlane.
The crest is a bear wearing a muzzle. The motto is usually given as Ab obice suavior, 'Gentler because of the obstruction'; the Clan Galbraith Association's own official version is Ab obice saevior, 'Fiercer because of the obstruction'.
Culcreuch Castle in Stirlingshire, which was sold in 1630; the family also held the island castle of Inchgalbraith in Loch Lomond.
The Clan Galbraith Association's history records that Robert Galbraith had to part with his estates in 1630 and sold Culcreuch to Alexander Seton of Gargunnock, and is said to have gone to Ireland, where he died. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs lists no Galbraith chief today.
In Gaelic the name is Mac a' Bhreatnaich, 'son of the Briton', associating the family with the old British kingdom of Strathclyde rather than with the Gaels.
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Clan LennoxEarly Galbraith chiefs married into the Earls of Lennox and held their lands for generations.