Stobo Surname Origin - Limited Information

[ScottishNewZealander]

Hello,

I am looking to find the origin of a surname in my family tree. This is the Stobo surname. I am related to the reverend Archibald Stobo who settled in the Americas. This man's brother was a tobacco merchant and owned land in Glasgow.

From what I have searched there is very little information on this family.

I have heard several pieces of information:

1) The surname is locational from the barony of Peeblesshire.

2) The family held a seat from early times, however what sort of seat was it and are today's Stobos related to these nobles?

3) The Stobos originally came from Norway in the 1100s.

There is very little solid information and the origin of this surname is a mystery. What we know for certain is the region of origin, but beyond this there is very little information.

Perhaps the family came to Scotland in the 1100s, settled in Peeblesshire, were given a title and seat and then took the name of the locality?

Any information would be highly valued.

[Skoosh]

Black, in his "Surnames of Scotland" gives the origin as the Barony of Stobo, where a David Stobou witnessed charters of the Bishop of Glasgow 1177/1199. Adam de Stobou a juror in Peebles in 1262, John Stobo was a servant of the King in 1583 & Major Robert Stobo of Glasgow led the Fraser Highlanders up the Heights of Abraham at Quebec in 1759.
 The name Stobie/Stobbie is given as being probably of the same origin.
I've heard Stobo pronounced as Stobie when in Peebles.

Skoosh.

[ScottishNewZealander]

Thank you very much for the information.

Would these early Stobos have been nobility?

Maybe it is a Norman name?

Also, would the Stobos of today be related to these people?

[Janet.h.2013]

Hello.  I have just been asked by a 1st cousin once removed to look into a presumed ancestor of hers, Robert Stobo, who was a tobacco merchant in Glasgow.  This looks remarkably like your ancestor too.  I am trying to go back from 1800 so maybe I'll finish up joining with your search.  I will ask my cousin if I can give you the information I have.  This would give you one strand up to the present day.  Will be in touch again when I have spoken to her.

[ScottishNewZealander]

Hello Janet,

That would be very helpful if possible. I would be very grateful for such information.

Thank you very much for this.

Also I must thank you for trying to put my search into yours.

I wish you and your cousin the best in your search.

[Plantman]

Hi, Yes the name does come from Peeblesshire, and there is a small town called Stobo there.
As I understand it the name comes from a Viking word meaning 'Stump'
Everything else I have read hear I have seen before and have heard of Archibald Stobo and Traders from Glasgow, I am descended from Stobos who were Farmers just south of Glasgow in the  Avondale Area.
Keep in touch....
Plantman

[Skoosh]

A William Stobo, merchant, purchased the lands of Petershill from Glasgow town council in 1729, a condition of the sale was that Stobo completes the draining of a loch which was a condition of his previous tenancy.

A stob is of course a fence-post & one of the names used in Gaelic for a mountain.

Skoosh.

[isobelw]

Black, in his "Surnames of Scotland" gives the origin as the Barony of Stobo, where a David Stobou witnessed charters of the Bishop of Glasgow 1177/1199. Adam de Stobou a juror in Peebles in 1262, John Stobo was a servant of the King in 1583 & Major Robert Stobo of Glasgow led the Fraser Highlanders up the Heights of Abraham at Quebec in 1759.
 The name Stobie/Stobbie is given as being probably of the same origin.
I've heard Stobo pronounced as Stobie when in Peebles.

Skoosh.

According to Wikipedia the Barony of Stobo was only created in 1577.

[Skoosh]

Anent the old Barony of Stobo, David de Stobo witnessed charters by the Jocelyn bishop of Glasgow 1177-1199  You can put good money on Black & his Surnames!

www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/hillhouse-tower-stobo

Major Robert Stobo, a native of Glasgow, guided the Fraser Highlanders up the Heights of Abraham at Quebec in 1757.

Skoosh.