The surname Galbraith is derived from the Gaelic elements gall, meaning "stranger", and Breathnach, meaning "Briton".[1] As such, the surname can be taken to mean "British foreigner",[2] "British Scandinavian",[3] "foreign Briton",[4] or "stranger-Briton".[5] The surname Galbraith can be rendered in Scottish GaelicasMac a' Bhreatannaich.[6]
The surname is borne by members of Clan Galbraith.[7] The clan is known in Gaelic as Clann a' Bhreatannaich.[4] The earliest recorded chief of this family may be "Gillcrist Bretnach", a man attested in 1193.[8] This man's name could indicate that he was either of Welsh[9] or North British ancestry.[10]
Early examples of forms of the surname include: "Gillescop Galbrad" in 1208×1214;[11] "Gillescop Galbrath" in 1208×1214;[12] "Gillescop Gallebrad" in 1208×1214;[13] "Wilielmo filio Arthuri filii Galbrait" in 1239;[14] "Gillaspec Galbraith" in 1208×1241;[15] and "Mauritio filio Gillaspic Galbraith" in 1208×1265.[16]
