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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Trotter

Trotter Clan Tattoos - The name of Trotter is said to derive from the French, 'Trotier', a 'runner' or 'messenger'. One legend says that this name was given to a brother of Lord Gifford for delivering a message to James III with great speed. The Borders clan bearing this name was headed by the Trotters of Prentannan in Berwickshire, who followed the Homes on their many forays across the border. One of the Trotter chiefs was killed at Flodden in 1513. A direct descendent fought under the banner of James Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, for James Vii at the Battle of Killecrankie. The Jacobite's grandson, the Reverend Robert Trotter, was a distinguished academic who produced a work on the life of Christ and the Apostles which is considered standard reading in many theology colleges.

The Trotters of Mortonhall, which lies on the outskirts of Edinburgh, claim to have held their lands as far back as the reign of Robert II. William Trotter of Catchelraw was one of the knight charged with keeping the peace on the Borders under royal warrants of 1437 and 1450. One of his grandsons was treasurer of the city of Edinburgh.

They were staunch adherents of Charles I, and in 1645 were fined for assisting the Marquis of Montrose. Robert Trotter of Bush was Postmaster General for Scotland. He died in 1807.

Thomas Trotter of Mortonhall was killed serving with his squadron of Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Clan Trotter Motto: In Promptu ~ From Latin: In Readiness

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