Clan Baird

Lawyers, soldiers, and statesmen of Lanarkshire and the north-east.

Motto

Dominus fecit

— God Made

What does the Baird name mean?

Of debated origin — possibly from the Gaelic 'bard' (poet) or the Old French 'bardé' (armoured). Borne in Lanarkshire from the 13th century.

The history of Clan Baird

From the 13th century the surname Baird is recorded in Lanarkshire and, by the 14th, in Aberdeen and Banff. Important Baird families appear from this period and would remain prominent in Scottish public life for centuries.

The Bairds rose to particular distinction in the legal profession. John Baird was raised to the bench in the 17th century with the title Lord Newbyth. The family also produced soldiers of the first rank.

General Sir David Baird (1737–1829) joined the army in 1772 and served in India from 1780, where he was severely wounded and held captive by Hyder Ali. He took Pondicherry in 1793, captured Seringapatam in 1799, and led a famous overland march from the Red Sea to the Nile in 1801. He commanded the expedition to the Cape of Good Hope in 1805.

Notable bearers of the Baird name

Sir David Baird, general
John Baird, Lord Newbyth

Frequently asked

What does the surname Baird mean?

Of debated origin — possibly from the Gaelic 'bard' (poet) or the Old French 'bardé' (armoured). Borne in Lanarkshire from the 13th century.

Where does the Baird family come from?

Clan Baird was historically based in the Glasgow & Strathclyde and Grampian & the North-East of Scotland, in particular Lanarkshire and Buchan & Mar.

What is the Clan Baird motto?

The motto of Clan Baird is "Dominus fecit", which translates as "God Made".

Who are some famous Bairds?

Notable bearers of the Baird name include Sir David Baird, general and John Baird, Lord Newbyth.