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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Napier

Napier Clan Tattoos - This name derives from the lands and barony of Nesbit near Edrom in Berwickshire. The lands are probably named after a geographical feature, possibly meaning nose-shaped hill or nose-bend. The name is now best known in clan circles through the work of Alexander Nisbet (1657-1725), one of the greatest Scottish authorities on heraldry. His System of Heraldry is still a classic work, and was produced in facsimile form as recently as 1984. He established his own connection with the chiefly line and must be regarded as authoritative on the pedigree of his own family. In his own words,' the lands of Nesbit were of ancient denomination for, in the reign of King Edgar, son of Malcolm Canmore, in reign surnames came first to be hereditary, they were donated to the monks of Dunfermline to pray for the souls of his father, and the health of his own.'

Adam was succeeded by Philip Nisbet, who appears in important charters of the Earls of Dunbar, and he, in turn, was succeeded by his son Adam. Adam's great-great-grandson, Philip Nisbet married a daughter of Haldane of Gleneagles, and their heir was Alexander Nesbit.

Clan Napier Motto: Sans Tache ~ From French: Without Stain

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragons, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests, Crescent Moon