Please also visit the page of general information applicable to all of Angus & Kincardineshire.
Abbreviations
| NLS | National Library of Scotland |
|---|---|
| NRS | National Records of Scotland, formerly called the National Archives of Scotland [NAS] and, before that, the Scottish Record Office [SRO] HM General Register House, Edinburgh EH1 3YY (Tel: +44-131-535-1314) |
| OPR | Old Parish Registers of Births/baptisms, Banns/marriages & Deaths/burials (pre-1855) |
- See also, for history of the parish:
- The Statistical accounts of Arbirlot
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire, in particular Warden, vol. 2, pp. 365-380.
Statistical accounts of Arbirlot
- Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 3, p. 467
- New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p.332
- 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957 (part of the parish)
- 1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1859, published 1865 (part of the parish)
For the full range of maps of Arbirlot, see National Library's Maps.
See Geograph.org: Arbirlot - recent photographs of Arbirlot. National Grid ref. NO6040.
Located at National Grid ref. NO602405. The mediaeval kirk was dedicated to St Ninian and belonged to Arbroath Abbey.
There is an article, with photographs, on Arbirlot Parish Church in A Corpus of Scottish Mediaeval Parish Churches.
Above: Arbirlot Kirk
Other churches
Above: the former Free Kirk of Arbirlot, built 1854. Now in use as a hall.
Above: stone used (upside down) over fireplace in ruinous building attached to north side of former Free Kirk. The inscription appears to be Mr RP (..) 41 and presumably relates to Mr (later Sir) Robert Preston, minister here 1731-1758.
adm.: admitted, ass.: assistant, bapt.: baptised, contr.: contract, dem.: demitted, dep.: deposed, ind.: inducted, lic.: licensed, mar.: married, min.: minister, ord.: ordained, pres.: presented, rel.: related, res.: resigned, suc.: successor, test.: testament, tr.: translated
| Walter Lindsay | 1563 | reader |
| Charles Michelson | 1567-1591 | min. 1567 with Inverkeilor also in his charge; in 1574, had Panbride and Monikie in place of Inverkeilor; in 1576, also Barry; pres. to the vicarage bef. 7 Jul 1569; removed to Barry 1584, returning here bef. 1590; d. bef. 18 Dec 1591 |
| James Auchterlonie | 1591 | pres. to vicarage 18 Dec 1591 on death of Charles Michelson |
| Patrick Lindsay | 1592 | pres. to vicarage 2 Feb 1591-2 on death of Charles Michelson |
| George Gledstanes | 1592-1597 | M.A.; tr. from St Cyrus; pres. to the vicarage 17 May 1592 on death of Charles Michelson; tr. to St Andrews FIF 1597 |
| David Black | 1597-1603 | adm. min. of St Andrews FIF Nov 1590; tr. & adm. 1597; pres. to the vicarage 15 May 1598; d. 12 Jan 1603 Dundee, while travelling to Perth; mar. Kath. Prattie, who survived him; issue: Sarah |
| David Lindsay | 1603 | min. of St Andrews; pres. to vicarage 14 Jan 1603 on death of David Black |
| John Guthrie | 1603-1617 | M.A.; tr. from Kinnell & adm. 1603; tr. to 2nd charge Perth 20 Feb 1617 |
| James Irving | 1617-1625 | min. of Tough ABD 1599; pres. 14 Mar 1617; d. Aug 1625; mar. Helen Strachan; issue: Alexr, Agnes (mar. aft. 3 Apr 1621) Mr David Pearson, son & heir to Thos P. of Lochlands) |
| James Guthrie | 1625-1662 | b. 17 Sep 1590, son of Partick G., goldsmith, St Andrews; M.A. St Andrews 1610; min. of Kinnell 1614; tr. & adm. Oct 1625; d. 17 May 1662; mar. 1614 Isabella Durie; issue: -- Guthrie of Aldbar; James, M.A.; John, min. here; Jane (mar. James Philip, min. of Lunan) |
| John Guthrie | 1655-1667 | son of above; M.A.; adm. (colleague) 4 Oct 1655; tr. to 2nd charge Dundee 14 Mar 1667 |
| George Makgill | 1667-1702[?] | b. ca. 1641, 2nd son of Patrick M., min. of Monikie; M.A. St Andrews 1662; ord. 16 Sep 1667; d. 1691x1702; mar. Margaret Guthrie; issue: Alexander, architect, Edinburgh |
| Charles Charteris | 1702-1729 | b. ca. 1673 ELN; M.A. Edinburgh 1697; ord. 1702; dep. Aug 1728 but reinstated Mar 1729; d. Dec 1729; mar. 1704 Marjory Williamson; issue: Chas; Alexr; Eliz.; Patk; Geo.; Marjory (mar. Thos Hunter, min. here); Henry |
| Sir Robert Preston of Airdrie, 5th bart. | 1731-1758 | b. 1706, apparently son of John Preston (who had signature of Prestonhall in 1731), only son of Sir John Preston of Airdrie & Prestonhall, 4th bart.; M.A. St Andrews 1724; ord. 18 Feb 1731; tr. to 2nd charge Cupar FIF 9 Nov 1758; later, min. of 1st charge there; heir 1782 to gfa, Sir John Preston of Airdrie & Prestonhall, bart.; d. 1 Sep 1791 Dundee; mar. (1) 1749 Jean, dau. of Andrew Melville, min. of Monimail FIF; issue: Alexr; mar. (2) 1755 Margt, dau. of Robert Speid of Ardovie; issue: Robt, James, Geo. |
| Thomas Hunter | 1759-1789 | ord. 2 Aug 1759; d. 28 Oct 1789; mar. 1757 Marjory, dau. of Chas Charteris, min. here; issue: Wm, Thos, Chas |
| Richard Watson | 1790-1829 | ord. (ass.) Arbroath 8 May 1777; adm. 10 Jun 1790; d. 7 Sep 1829; mar. 1778 Isobel Balfour; issue: Eliz. (mar. David Phillip, merchant, London); Richard |
| Thomas Guthrie * | 1830-1837 | b. 12 Jul 1803 Brechin, son of David G.; ord. 13 May 1830; tr. to Old Greyfriars Edinburgh 21 Sep 1837; a leader of the Disruption 1843; d. 24 Feb 1873 St Leonard's-On-Sea, Sussex; mar. 1830 Ann Burns; 11 children |
| John Kirk | 1837-1843 | b. 1795 St Andrews, son of John K., baker; ord. to Barry 24 Jun 1824; tr. & adm. 28 Dec 1837; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of Arbirlot Free Kirk 1843-58; d. 4 Mar 1858; mar. 1828 Christian Guthrie, dau. of Alexr Carnegie, min. of Inverkeilor; issue: Alexr Carnegie, LL.D., naval engineer; Sir John, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., D.C.L., D.Sc., F.R.S.; Eliz. Jane (mar. James R. Black, writer, Arbroath) |
| George Addison | 1843-1852 | b. 7 Apr 1805 Auchterhouse, son of Geo. A., D.D., min. of Liff & Benvie; ord. 2 Nov 1843; d. 3 Jul 1852 unmar. |
| John Christie | 1852-1884 | b. 23 Apr 1826 Edinburgh, son of Archd C., writer; ord. 13 Dec 1852; d. 30 May 1884; mar. 1857 Margaret, dau. of Thomas Finlayson of Lawton, formerly tenant Nether Kelly; issue: Archd Kennedy; Isabella Johnstone; Eliz. Kennedy; Margaret Finlayson; Helen Cathcart; Mary Cathcart; John Cathcart |
| William Whitburn Scotland | 1884-1923 | b. 4 Jan 1860 England, son of James S., customs officer; ord. (ass. & suc.) 25 Jan 1884; d. 15 May 1923 Arbroath |
| Archibald Cowan Kennedy | 1923-1928 | b. 2 Mar 1892 Old Aberdeen, son of Archd Robt Stirling K., D.D., prof. of Hebrew, Edinburgh Uni.; M.A. 1914 B.D. 1921 Edinburgh; ass. St Michael's Dumfries Jul 1921 to Sep 1923; ord. 26 Sep 1923; tr. to St Enoch's Glasgow 8 May 1928; tr. to Chair of Hebrew, Aberdeen 16 May 1932; D.D. Edinburgh 1944; mar. 1923 Janet Amy, dau. of James Lumsden, min. of Ratho MLN |
| Matthew McPhail | 1929-1959 | b. 1 Oct 1893, son of Matthew McPh.; ass. New Monkland LKS and Govan LKS; ord. to Castle Douglas 7 Nov 1923; tr. & adm. 19 May 1929; res. Feb. 1959; d. 1974 Glasgow; mar. 1921 Eliz. Haggart |
* See also Wikipedia: Thomas Guthrie
Ministers of the Free Church, Arbirlot; later, United Free Church
| John Kirk | 1843-1858 | See above list of parish ministers |
| Richmond Scott Thomson | ?-1861-1878 | b. 10 May 1831 Stirling, son of Robt T., solicitor; M.A.; d. 20 Jun 1878 Arbirlot; mar. 1858 Janet B. Inglis; issue: Jeanette Balfour; Mary Jaffray |
| Edward Thomson Vernon | 1878-1901-? | M.A.; b. 16 Sep 1853 West Calder MLN, son of John Edward V.; min. emeritus by 1929; d. 1937 Edzell; mar. 1880 Eliz. Shirra Gibb; issue: Geo. S.G.; Margherita; Edward T., min.; Frank M.; Harold R. |
| John Oliver | 1915-1928 | M.A.; tr. from West U.F. Church, Crossford, Carluke & ind. 2 Dec 1915 as colleague & succ.; d. May 1928 Manchester |
Monuments in Arbirlot Kirkyard bearing pre-1855 information (ca. 80 stones) are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Angus, Vol. 2: Seacoast" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1996), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Angus MI - Vol. 2. Pre-1855 Sea-coast" in their online shop.)
Copy of monumental inscriptions in Arbirlot Churchyard, compiled by S. Cramer, in NRS [NRS ref. RH4/41/3 no. 1]
The following is one of the monuments in Arbirlot kirkyard:
1929 In loving memory of EDWARD PATERSON KYDD born 4th Feb. 1896, died 24th Nov. 1896 ALEXANDER CANT KYDD born 20th April 1903, died 13th Nov. 1910 Act. Corpl (M.G.C.) CHARLES WYLLIE KYDD born 13th Dec. 1890, killed in the Great War 30th Sept. 1918. GEORGE SOUTAR KYDD born 1st June 1864, died 19th Sept. 1924. Also his wife MARY ANN CANT born 15th Sept. 1867, died 1th Oct. 1942 GEORGE STRACHAN KYDD born 4th Jan. 1889, died 15th April 1966. WILLIAM CANT KYDD born 1893 - died 1970 FLORENCE JANE KYDD 1898-1991 HELENA KYDD 1909-1999
Arbirlot 1914-18 war memorial
On north wall of parish kirk
From the Roll of Honour Arbroath & District 1914-1919 and CWGC records:
| Name | Rank | Unit | Date | Place of death | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Airth | pte | - | - | - | - |
| William Gardiner Brown | trooper | 6th Dragoon Guards | 24 Mar 1918 | No. 46 Casualty clearing station, France | Kelly Bleachfield; son of Frank Brown and Annie Gardiner, Elliot |
| John Cook | pte | Canadians | 16 Sep 1916 | - | in Toronto; son of John C., farmer, bank of Arbirlot; mar. |
| W. Donald | pte | - | - | - | - |
| D. F. Fearn | pte | - | - | - | - |
| William Gray | pte | 7th Batt., Black Watch | 23 Apr 1917 | France | farm servant; son of David Gray, Mains of Kelly |
| Hope Hunter | capt | 14th London Regt | 3 Dec 1917 | No. 24 Stationary Hosp., El Kantara, Palestine | engineer, London; 4th son of George Neish Hunter and Isabella Cloudesley, Bonnington |
| David John Campbell Ireland | pte | 2nd Batt., A&S Highlanders | 31 Oct 1916 | Somme | farmer; son of James Ireland, Bannety and Lappie, and Mrs I., East Balmirmer |
| Charles Wyllie Kydd | cpl | Machine Gun Corps | 30 Sep 1918 | - | in America; son of George Soutar Kydd and Mary Ann Cant, Elliot |
| James Lindsay | pte | Scots Guards | -- Oct 1918 | - | son of James L., Dunnichen, formerly Salmond's Muir |
| James S. McIntosh | pte | 1st Canadian Batt. | ca 23 Apr 1915 | France | farming in Canada; son of George McIntosh and Elizabeth Shepherd, Arbirlot |
| Alexander Munro | gunner | Royal Field Artillery | 29 Oct 1918 | near Piave, Italy | fireman, Port Glasgow; 2nd son of Alex. M. and Margaret MacDougall, Mains of Balcathie |
| David Munro | gunner | Royal Field Artillery | 14 Sep 1918 | France | clerk, Stanley Mill; son of Alex. M. and Margaret MacDougall, Mains of Balcathie |
| George Scott | pte | 1st Canadians | 6 Nov 1917 | France | contractor's employee, Canada; son of James Scott, Bonhard |
| David R. Sievwright | pte | Machine Gun Corps | 26 Sep 1917 | Hansbeck Wood, near Ieper | shepherd, Shielgreen, Memus, Kirriemuir; son of David R. S., Bonnington of Arbirlot |
| John P. Steele | - | - | - | - | - |
| James Thomson | pte | Black Watch | 1917 | France | farmer, Fauldiehill |
| Alexander Watt | pte | 6th Batt., Black Watch | 21 Mar 1918 | - | farm servant near Letham; son of Charles Watt and Jemima ---, West Balmirmer |
Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1855 to present
Indexes and actual records for Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages & Deaths, beginning 1 Jan 1855, are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
-
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1855 - 1879 [NRS CH2/505/6]
Births, Marriages & Deaths, before 1855
Indexes and actual records for all extant Old Parish Registers (OPRs) (pre-1855) of the Established Church of Scotland are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
Church Session Records of Arbirlot Parish Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/505/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes & session ledger | 1759-1833 | 1 |
| Minutes | 1830-1872 | 2 |
| Session ledger | 1740-1802 | 3 |
| do | 1829-1877 | 4 |
| Register of discipline | 1709-1758 | 5 |
| Baptisms | 1855-1879 | 6 |
| Minutes | 1872-1975 | 7 |
| Session ledger | 1877-1932 | 8 |
| Baptisms | 1879-1998 | 9 |
Church Session Records of Arbirlot Free Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/441/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1843-1907 | 1 |
| do | 1908-1928 | 2 |
| Deacon's court minutes | 1858-1890 | 3 |
| do | 1890-1914 | 4 |
| Baptismal register | 1881-1893 | 5 |
| do | 1914-1928 | 5 |
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. HR598/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minute book | 1920-1934 | 1 |
| Minutes | 1928-1930 | 2 |
| Papers re transference of property to Church of Scotland General Trustees | 1926-1929 | 3 |
In 1790, the only proprietor in the parish was the hon. William Maule (brother of the earl of Dalhousie). In 1835, the sole proprietor was lord Panmure.
There were 19 individuals (& one set of trustees), proprietors of land in the parish in 1902 [Source: 1902 Valuation Roll]:
| Estate | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Denfield | John Jamieson, sheriff clerk of Fife, Cupar | part of farm, Denfield |
| Panmure | Arthur George Maule Ramsay, 14th earl of Dalhousie | |
| Westownfield | Trustees of Patrick Allan Fraser of Hospitalfield | Westownfield |
| do | William Paterson Dowall, Misses Margaret & Nancy Dowall, Mrs Eliza Miln | houses & Kelly Bleachfield, Wormyhills |
| do | James Shanks Carrie, dairyman, Elliot | Emil Bank, Elliot |
| do | Charles Buchanan, carting contractor | do |
| Arbirlot village | Rev. Edward T. Vernon, M.A. | U.F. manse |
| do | William Craig, postmaster | house, shop |
| do | Mrs Margaret Anderson or Douglas, Greenford, Arbirlot | house |
| do | Mrs Isa Leslie (& Kirk Session) | houses |
| do | Mrs Margaret Fowler, Braeside | house, shop, slaughterhouse |
| do | John Martin, farmer, Middleton of Panbride | houses, smithy |
| do | Andrew Kydd, retired farmer | house |
| do | Mrs Margaret & Mrs Isabella Leslie, 46 Glover St, Arbroath | houses, wright's shop |
| do | James Peter, tailor | house, shop |
| do | John Wilson, Middleton of Panbride | house |
| do | Rev. William W. Scotland | manse, glebe |
Estate records
These are parts of the very large collection of papers of the Maule Family, Earls of Dalhousie
- Records of the Barony of Kellie and tenandry of Cuthlie, 1413-1873 - NRS ref. GD45/16/1516 to 1736
| Farm | Name | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Balcathie | Alexander Finlayson [d. 1815] | -1798-1815 |
| do | David Finlayson [6th son of above Alex; d. 1852] | -1852 |
| do | Alexander Finlayson [1st son of above David; d. 1876] | 1852-1876 |
| do | James Finlayson [2nd son of above David; d. 1910] | 1876-1910 |
| do | James Graham | -1914-1942- |
| do | Howard B. Graham | -1947- |
| Bank of Arbirlot | James Fowler | -1861-1871- |
| do | John Cook | -1881-1906- |
| do | David Cook | -1910-1921- |
| do | C.M. Soutar | -1926-1942- |
| Bankhead | John Ostler | -1861-1871- |
| do | William Samson | -1881- |
| do | George Samson [d. 1919] | -1891-1919 |
| do | George Samson | -1919-1920 |
| Blindwells | William Lamb | -1871-1901- |
| do | David Millar Lamb [d. 1951] | -1906-1942- |
| Bonnington | George Neish Hunter [d. 1911] | -?- |
| do | William Shiells | -1921- |
| Braeside | James Johnston | -1861- |
| do | James Fowler | -1881-1890 |
| do | Representatives of James Fowler | -1902- |
| do | Arthur C. Fowler | -1906-1921- |
| do | A.S. Fairlie | -1926-1942- |
| Craigend | David Millar | -1861- |
| do | Patrick A. Baird [d. 1933] | -1901-1942- |
| Crudie | James Jamieson | -1861- |
| do | John Rennie, jun. | -1891-1902- |
| do | John Harris | -1910-1942- |
| Crudieacres | David Lamb | -1861- |
| do | James Hall | -1861-1914- |
| do | Mrs Fyffe | -1918- |
| do | James Hall | -1921- |
| do | R. & D. Fyffe | -1926- |
| do | R. & W. Fyffe | -1930-1942- |
| Cuthlie | George Neish Hunter | -1871-1881- |
| do | James McCorquodale | -1902-1906- |
| do | David Alexander McCorquodale [d. 1921, ex-Provost, Carnoustie] | -1910-1921 |
| do | James Young & Son | -1926-1942- |
| Denfield | Colin Grant [d. 1929, ex-Provost, Arbroath] | -1902-1929 |
| do | James Young | -1935-1942- |
| Denhead | Alexander Shield | -1861- |
| do | Benjamin Norrie | -1891-1906- |
| do | Robert Norrie | -1910- |
| do | Benjamin [d. 1917] & Robert Norrie | -1914-1917 |
| do | Robert Norrie | 1917-1942- |
| East Balmirmer | John Hume | -1861-1891- |
| do | James Ireland | -1901-1902- |
| do | Mrs Isa & David Ireland | -1906-1926- |
| do | Mrs Ireland | -1930-1942- |
| Easter Bonhard | William Fairlie [d. 1902] | -1881-1902 |
| do | James Fairlie | -1910-1935- |
| do | Ed. Fairlie | -1938-1942- |
| Easter Knox | George Paterson | -1861- |
| do | Alexander Shield | -1881-1901 |
| do | William Chalmers | -1906-1918- |
| do | William Guild | -1921-1950- |
| Fallaws [Fallows] | Andrew Gibb | -1861- |
| do | Patrick Anderson | -1891- |
| do | John P. Anderson | -1902- |
| do | Thomas A. Norrie | -1906-1914- |
| do | Alexander Strachan | -1917-1935- |
| do | Hugh Stewart Russell | -1935-1942- |
| Fauldiehill | George Thomson [killed 1906] | -1901-1906 |
| do | Representatives of George Thomson | -1910- |
| do | Robert Binnie | -1914-1930- |
| do | R. & C. Binnie | -1935-1942- |
| Greenford | John Anderson | -1881- |
| do | Thomas Douglas [d. 1899] | -1899 |
| do | Representatives of Thomas Douglas | -1902-1906- |
| do | Mrs Margaret Douglas | -1910- |
| do | John Anderson Douglas [d. 1919] | -1914-1919 |
| do | Mrs Douglas | -1921- |
| do | W. & D. Donaldson | -1926- |
| do | D. Donaldson | -1930-1942- |
| Hunterspath | James Guild | -1881-1891- |
| do | Alexander King | -1901-1906- |
| do | Charles Brown [d. 1917] | -1910-1917 |
| do | Trustees of Charles Brown | -1918- |
| do | Mrs Brown | -1921-1942- |
| do | William Norrie Brown | -1934- |
| Kellyfield | Andrew Kydd [d. 1910] | -1881-1902- |
| do | David Esplin | -1901-1914- |
| do | George Smart | -1918- |
| do | J. Smart | -1921- |
| do | George Smart | -1925 |
| do | George Robertson | -1930- |
| do | Edward B. Moir | -1935-1942- |
| Lochaber | John Kydd | -1871-1910- |
| do | John [d. 1914] & William Kydd | -1914 |
| do | William Kydd | 1914-1926- |
| do | Miss Kydd | -1930-1942- |
| Mains of Kelly | Alexander Bowie | -1861-1881- |
| do | Mrs Margaret & Misses Bowie | -1901-1902- |
| do | Robert C. Bowie | -1906-1930- |
| do | Alexander Bowie | -1935-1942- |
| Millhill | John Blues [d. 1924] | -1881-1921 |
| do | Charles McPherson | -1926-1942- |
| Nether Kelly | Thomas Finlayson | -1841-1851- |
| do | James Johnstone | -1871- |
| do | David Ogilvie | -1881-1885- |
| do | Thomas Matthew Hynd | -1901-1921- |
| do | James Alexander Hynd | -1926-1942- |
| Newton & Broomhill | James Addison Scott | -1861-1906- |
| Newton of Arbirlot | James Addison Scott [d. 1912] & W.R. Scott | -1910-1912 |
| do | W.R. Scott | 1912-1942- |
| Panlathy | John Collier | -1861-1871- |
| do | George Young | -1891-1906- |
| do | Thomas & John Hay | -1910-1921- |
| do | John Hay | -1926-1942- |
| Panlathy Mill | James Duncan | -1861-1881- |
| do | David Maxwell | -1901-1921- |
| do | Trustees of David Maxwell | -1926- |
| do | D. Maxwell | -1930- |
| do | John Kerr | -1935-1942- |
| Peasiehill | Alexander Dickson | -1861- |
| do | John Brown [d. 1888] | -1871-1888 |
| do | John Brown | -1901-1942- |
| Pitcundrum | James Petrie | -1861- |
| do | Adam Jack [d. 1911] | -1881-1906- |
| do | A. & James Jack | -1910-1930- |
| do | Messrs Jack | -1935-1942- |
| Shelterfield | John Butchart [d. 1901] | -1901 |
| do | Alexander Dunbar | -1906- |
| do | Alexander B. Dunbar [d. 1924] | -1910-1924 |
| do | William Dunbar | -1930- |
| do | William Matthewson Dunbar & George Dunbar | -1935-1942- |
| West Balmirmer | Alexander Kydd | -1861- |
| West Balmirmer & Fauldiehill | David Ogilvie [d. 1896] | -1881-1896 |
| West Balmirmer | James Fairlie | -1901-1910- |
| do | J. & J.M. Fairlie | -1914-1921- |
| do | J. Fairlie | -1926-1942- |
| Westownfield | William Buick | -1906-1942- |
Records of the official censuses of the parish in 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921 are held in Register House, Edinburgh and are open to the public on payment of a fee.
Indexes to all the original census records, and the records themselves, can be accessed online at modest charge at ScotlandsPeople.
Microfilm copies are also widely available in libraries. The 1881 census is available on CD-ROM.
The early censuses of 1801-31 do not name individuals.
There is a List of householders in the parish of Arbirlot with their servants, subtenants, horses and oxen and the compositions due from them [? for road work], in 1760 - NRS ref. GD45/12/74
| Year | male | female | total | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1755 | 865 | Dr Alexander Webster | ||
| 1790 | 550 | 505 | 1055 | Old Statistical Account |
| 1801 | 1050 | |||
| 1811 | 1014 | |||
| 1821 | 519 | 543 | 1062 | |
| 1831 | 1026 | |||
| 1841 | ||||
| 1851 | ||||
| 1871 | 452 | 467 | 919 | |
| 1881 | 419 | 403 | 822 | |
| 1891 | 429 | 419 | 848 | |
| 1901 | 422 | 378 | 800 | |
| 1911 | 438 | 402 | 840 | |
| 1921 | 397 | 392 | 789 |
Arbirlot was in the Commissariot of St Andrews.
Indexes to all extant pre-1926 testamentary records (wills & inventories of moveable property) can be searched free of charge at ScotlandsPeople. Digital (and paper) copies of the documents can be purchased at that site. See further the introduction to Angus & Kincardineshire at Testaments.
Testaments of Arbirlot people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of St Andrews, 1549-1823
| Isobel Airth | widow to James Ouchterlony, in Milnehill, par. of Arbirlot | 17 Jun 1619 |
| Andrew Allan | servitour to John Allan, in Newtoun of Arbirlot, his father | 1 Feb 1600 |
| John Allan | sometime in Newtoun Arbirlott | 1 Oct 1605 |
| Henry Anderson | in Greenford | 27 May 1819 |
| Thomas Anthony | cotterman in Claschbenny, par. of Abirlott | 24 Feb 1607 |
| Helen Brown | spouse to James Gibson, in Quhythillok, par. of Arbirlot | 26 Jan 1618 |
| Christian Butchart | sometime spouse to Andrew Patersoun, in Panlethie, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Sep 1605 |
| Isobel Butchart | widow in Parlathie, relict of John Butchart, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Mar 1621 |
| Jean Butchart | relict of Alexander Smith, sometime in Arbirlott | 21 Jun 1799 |
| John Butchart | in Arbirlot | 27 Dec 1711 |
| William Butchart | in Powlathie, par. of Arbirlott | 29 Aug 1635 |
| Andrew Caird | in Cottoun of Crudie, and Euphame Gibson, his spouse, par. of Arbirlot | 16 Feb 1637 |
| John Caird | in Cottoun of Crudie, par. of Arbirlot | 31 Jan 1617 |
| William Caird | in Cartfuird, par. of Arbirlott | 29 Aug 1621 |
| Margaret Christie | in Baith, par. of Arbirlot, spouse of Archibald Anderson | 14 Jun 1614 |
| William Couper | in Balmirmuir, par. of Arbirlot | 6 May 1641 |
| David Deuchars | par. of Arbiriot | 6 Aug 1662 |
| John Dick | farmer at Balmirmar | 22 Aug 1818 |
| Janet Earner | spouse to William Smyth, in the Mains of Kellie, par. of Arbirlot | 3 Aug 1640 |
| Patrick Fauld | in Balmirmure, par. of Arbirlot | 19 Jul 1641 |
| Alexander Gillespie | in Cottoun of Cathlie, par. of Abirlot | 15 July 1613 |
| David Goodall | at Peasyhill | 28 Sep 1806 |
| Isobel Gray | in Dowrie, par. of Arbirlot, spouse to Thomas Milne | 1 Mar 1614 |
| Jean Gregorie | spouse to George Reatt, in Fernyknow, par. of Arbirlott | 9 Feb 1639 |
| David Guild | in Panlethie, par. of Abirlott | 25 Jun 1619 |
| Janet Guild | spouse to Thomas Huntar, in Balmirmuir, par. of Arbirlot | 1 Mar 1614 |
| John Guthrie | in Fadishill, par. of Arbirlot | 6 Aug 1662 |
| Alexander Henderson | in Wester Knox, par. of Arbirlot | 6 Aug 1662 |
| Catherine Henderson | spouse to John Gladstains, in Panlethie, par. of Arbirlot | 20 Sep 1605 |
| Thomas Henderson | in Panlethie, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Jan 1621 |
| James Heron | in Crowdie, par. of Arbirlot | 8 Jun 1614 |
| James Hussy | wright at Bonnyton | 28 Feb 1823 |
| George Hutcheon | in Newtoun of Arbirlot | 21 Jan 1617 |
| Alexander Johnstone | in Blakburnhead, par. of Arbirlot | 31 Jan 1615 |
| John Johnstone | in Newtoun of Arbirlott | 12 Dec 1617 |
| Marion Johnstone | in Newtoune of Arbirlot | 11 Jan 1616 |
| Elspet Kay | in Mylne hill, par. of Arbirlott, spouse of James Watt | 1 Feb 1600 |
| Isobel Ked | spouse to Andrew Dae, in Peasiehill, par. of Arbirlot | 24 Oct 1684 |
| Janet Littlejohn | widow in Newtoun of Arbirlot | 20 Mar 1600 |
| Margaret Littlejohn | in Bonytoun, relict of William Auchinleck, par. of Arbirlot | 14 Jul 1627 |
| Isobel Lynn | spouse to Thomas Finlay, in Rottinraw, par. of Abirlot | 31 Jan 1615 |
| Helen Milne | spouse to Andrew Gibson, in Bonytoun, par. of Arbirlot | 10 Mar 1619 |
| James Milne | in Balbenn, par. of Arbirlot | 11 Jul 1583 |
| Janet Milne | spouse to David Weddell, cook in Cairtfuird, beside Cathlie, par. of Arbirlott | 30 Aug 1606 |
| John Milne | in Cottoun of Crowdie, par. of Arbirlot | 13 Jul 1615 |
| Marion Milne | spouse to John Johnston, in Newtoun of Arbirlot | 12 Jul 1615 |
| Bessie Mylne | in Newtoun of Abirlott | 1 Feb 1600 |
| John Nicoll | lawful son to umquhile David Nicoll, in Newtoune of Arbirlott | 7 Jan 1619 |
| Catherine Ochterlony | spouse to David Smyth, in Wormihills, par. of Arbirlot | 5 Apr 1617 |
| Christian Paterson | spouse to Thomas Schanks, in Balkenie, par. of Arbirlot | 7 May 1636 |
| Bessie Peter | sometime spouse to Nicoll Crichtoun, husbandman in the Fernieknow, par. of Arbirlott | 11 Aug 1599 |
| John Peter | in Milnetoun of Crudie, par. of Arbirlot | 11 Aug 1599 |
| Margaret Peter | spouse to David Tyrie, in Wester Maynes of Kelly, par. of Arbirlot | 8 Mar 1616 |
| James Petrie | in Newtoune of Arbirlott par. of Arbirlot | 19 Feb 1607 |
| James Petrie | residing at Kellyden | 31 Mar 1823 |
| William Rait | in Crudie, par. of Arbirlott | 29 Aug 1635 |
| Janet Seton | sometime spouse to Robert Fauld, husbandman in Paitcurren, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Sep 1605 |
| Thomas Sim | Newton of Arbirlot | 9 Oct 1805 |
| Margaret Sinclair | sometime spouse to John Broun, in Balbeny, par. of Arbirlot | 3 Mar 1617 |
| David Smith | in Wormehills-milne, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Jun 1618 |
| Euphaim Smith | spouse to Robert Gibson, in Rottinraw of Kellie, par. of Arbirlot | 23 Jan 1616 |
| Isobel Somer | spouse to William Ochtirlony, in Milnehill of Kellie, par. of Abirlot | 15 Jul 1613 |
| James Spence | tenant in Greenfoord, par. of Arbirlot | 11 Feb 1676 |
| John Steven | in Balmirmure, par. of Abirlot | 27 Feb 1650 |
| Gellis Strattoun | sometime spouse to Thomas Henderson, in the Knox, par. of Abirlott | 20 Sep 1605 |
| Elizabeth Watson | spouse to James Kid, in Panthie, par. of Arbirlott | 20 Sep 1605 |
| Patrick Wright | in Braeside of Arbirlot | 19 Dec 1785 |
Testaments registered at St Andrews that have been lost, for which only entries in the minute books are extant.
| Mr Charles Charteris | minister at Arbirlet | 6 Aug 1735 |
| James Smith | in Creedie, par. of Abirlot | 9 Dec 1731 |
Testaments of Arbirlot people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1701-1800
| Agnes Crichton | sometime spouse to Henry Richardson, in the Mains of Kellie, par. of Aberlot, sher. of Forfar | 1 Jul 1602 |
| Bessie Crichton | relict of David Nicoll, in the Newtoun of Arbirlett, sher. of Forfar | 5 Mar 1607 |
| Alexander Findlo | in Penstoun, par. of Arbirlet, in Angus | 16 Jul 1602 |
| David Nicoll | in the Newton of Abirlett, sher. of Forfar | 5 Mar 1607 |
| James Peter | in Newtown of Arbirlett, in Angus | 13 Jul 1603 |
| Thomas Petrie | in Newtown of Arbirlett, in Angus | 14 Jan 1602 |
Jacobite rebels - 1745 rebellion
From: A List of Persons concerned in the Rebellion (Edinburgh, Scottish History Soc., vol. 8, 1890)
| Names | Designations | Abode | Acts of rebellion & circumstances | Where at present |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Caird | servant to George Miln | Balcathie | Went to Dundee in arms with his master | Balcathie, Lurking |
| John Hunter | - | Newton of Arbirlot | Carried Arms & went north with the Rebels | Lurking |
| Hary Hunter | - | Newton of Arbirlot | Carried Arms & went north with the Rebels | Lurking |
| George Mill | tenant | Balcathie | Was a Lieut. in the Rebel Army & very active in Levying men & money | Lurking |
| David Scott | servant | Balcathie | Carried Arms in the Rebel Service | Lurking |
Images of the original records for Arbirlot:
Images of the original records for Arbirlot: