As we further examine the possibility that the Fairweather name has a Flemish origin, here are some additional considerations.
In the 17th century, there were several variations in the spelling of the Fairweather name. Searching Scotland’s People using fuzzy matching reveals a number of these – Fairvether, Fairwather, Fairwedder, Fairvedder, Fawvedder, Faarvedder, Faarwedder. From 1553 to 1700, recorded surnames did not follow a standardised form. Only in the 18th century did Fairweather become the standard spelling of the name, and no variations were recorded since then. This being the case, it raises questions about linking its origins to the wethering of sheep, having a cheerful disposition or with reference to a Bible verse. These don’t take into account the numerous other spellings prior to it becoming the standardised “Fairweather”.
Scotland’s People records numerous people married in Brechin during the 17th century, whose names are not typically Scottish. Might these names have their origins in the Low Countries, and reinforce accounts of Flemish migration to Angus and Dundee?
- DAVID FINDLASONE / JONAT DAIKERS
- ROBERT FINDLASONE / CATHAREN JONKING
- JOHNE BELL / HELEIN CRYSTIESONE
- THOMAS BELLIE / ISABELL CROILL
- DAVID BENNIT / ELSPIT EDEISSON
- RITCHARD BLAK / GRIZELL GEADDIE
- GEORGE BREWHOUS / CATHAREIN FINDLO
- JAMES BROKAS / ISOBELL STEINSON
- PATRIK CAIRNKORSE / ELSPIT PEDDIE
- JOHN CARNOE / MARIE WATSSONE
- THOMAS FAIRWEATHIR / SIBILLA WALLANTYN
Doctor Alexander Fleming and Professor Richard Mason, after much research, recently published the book “Scotland and the Flemish People”. They say: “Some estimates suggest that up to a third of the current Scottish population may have had Flemish ancestors. While this is almost certainly an exaggeration, many Flemish emigrés did settle in Scotland over 600 years between the 11th and 17th centuries. Many shed their continental-sounding names to take on the name Fleming or its variants. Others took on different names that give little clue as to their country or region of origin. As the Flemish left Flanders over a relatively long time period, they were absorbed into Scottish society gradually. So while the Flemish may well be one of Scotland’s largest immigrant groups, the question of why they came, their significance in Scottish history, and their broader impact on the economy, society and culture of their adopted homeland has never been examined in detail.”
“Flemish knights took part in the invasion of Britain in 1066. They were initially given land in England as a reward for participating in the invasion. On becoming King of Scots in 1124 David I of Scotland brought numbers of Flemish up from England to assist him in the economic and social transformation of the country. From the 12th century onwards, Scotland benefited from the migration and settlement of Flemish craftspeople and farmers, as well as elite fighting men and merchants. The burgeoning wool trade with Flanders had brought to Scotland the merchants as well as other specialists associated with sheep rearing. (An interesting link to sheep farming)
“The Flemish merchants and craftsmen were highly regarded by the Scots. The former helped to stimulate the wool trade between Scotland and Flanders, thus leading to significant economic benefit. The latter, the craftspeople – notably the weavers – were held in high regard, and in the late 16th century, the Scottish government even provided incentives to bring Flemish weavers to Scotland to provide what we today would describe as ‘technical assistance’. Those who chose to remain in Scotland were absorbed seamlessly into Scottish life with no evidence of discrimination. More here…
Bear in mind that one of my forebears, John, was a weaver of sailcloth in Alyth. His son, Robert, became a successful draper and later farmed at Craigend of Careston, Angus.
Here’s an excerpt from the Clan Lindsay Society website (the Lindsays have Flemish roots)
“The Flemish are among the most important and perhaps the most underappreciated immigrant groups to have shaped the history of medieval and early modern Scotland. They came to Scotland as soldiers and settlers, traders and artisans, diplomats, and dynasts, over a period of several centuries.
During the medieval period, the trade in wool was another push factor which encouraged Flemish merchants to settle temporarily in the eastern burghs of Scotland. Burghs, such as Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh, and Berwick (when under Scottish control), were the centres of Scotland’s trade with Flanders. The presence of Flemish merchants in Scottish burghs was inexorably linked to the trade relationship between the two regions. The limited documentary evidence that exists suggests that Flemish merchants settled permanently in the east coast burghs of Scotland during the later medieval period. In the late 16th century, the Scottish government recognised the benefit of encouraging Flemish weavers to settle in Scotland. Acts of Parliament were passed in 1581 and 1587, which provided economic incentives to Flemish weavers to settle in Scotland and train local Scots in the art of weaving.
The Flemish People in Scotland “The influx of Flemings—many of whom were expert weavers —led to the development of a trading relationship with Flanders. The new immigrants worked with the suppliers of wool in Scotland, often the monasteries in the south of the country, to export wool to merchants in Flanders. In the course of time, the Scots, realising that they were losing out on the profits that came with the weaving of their wool, decided to bring Flemish weavers to Scotland. The idea was to bring about a transfer of weaving skills to the indigenous population. In some cases, the Flemish weavers and those knowledgeable in flax growing were given significant inducements to come to Scotland. There is evidence of this transfer of skills through to the sixteenth century.
Check out this excellent video by Bruce Fummey on the part played by the Flemish in making Scotland
