For the ancestors of James Clifton Robertson 1921-2007, please see Robertson Lineage 1.
Most recently updated:
Robertson Lineage
John Robertson 1523-1613, father of Frances Robertson 1549-1605
Frances Robertson > Meribah Gibbs > Peter Folger > Experience Folger > William Swain Sr > Hephzibah Swain > Mary Pinkham > Mary Worth > David Day > Phedora Alice Day > Lenore Inez Steger > Barbara Lou Tridle
Robertson Migration
Norfolk, Norfolk, England > Scole, Norfolk, England > Oakley, Suffolk, England > Frenze, Norfolk, England
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21 September 1549 - 1605
b. Oakley, Suffolk, England >
d. Scole, Norfolk, England
Cemetery TBD
Ancestry | Find a Grave (no record)
Parents:
John Robertson 1523-1613
Ales Grene 1528-1613
Maternal Lineage:
Ales Grene 1528-1613
Spouse: John Gibbs 1549-1609
Married: 1 September 1574
Children:
- Henry Gibbs TBD
- Roger Gibbs TBD
- Margery Gibbs TBD
- Thomas Gibbs TBD
- Edmond Gibbs TBD
- Meribah Gibbs 1594-1664
- Frances Gibbs TBD
Children's names are listed in his Find a Grave memorial bio.
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John Robertson, Bill's 11th Great-Grandfather
1523 - 25 Sep 1613
b. Norfolk, Norfolk, England
d. Frenze, Norfolk, England
Cemetery TBD
Ancestry | FamilySearch | Find a Grave (NR) | Geneanet | Geni | Google | MyHeritage | Newspapers (TBD) | Obituary (TBD) | RootsFinder (TBD) | WikiTree
Noteworthy
- The first documented Robertson in Norfolk/Suffolk Copilot AI Query
- Tags: Farmer_, Yeoman_
Parents:
Robert Robertson 1505–1550 Calculated with 60-75% probability by Copilot AI. See Appendix.
Mother & Maternal Lineage TBD
Spouse: Ales Grene 1528-1613
Married: 2 November 1548 in Oakley, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom
Children:
- Frances Robertson 1549-1605
- Others TBD
- Will Proved 1613. [S2090] Murphy, Nathan W. "Gibbs and Robertson Ancestry of Merrable Gibbs, Wife of John1 Folger of Martha's Vineyard, and Anne Gibbs, Wife of Rev. John1 Fiske of Chelmsford, Massachusetts." The American Genealogist 88 (Oct 2016): 286-301. Cookie Crumbs Ancestry
Potpourri
______________________________________
RECONSTRUCTED GENEALOGY
In the absence of documentation
AI Calculated with 60-75% Probability that
Robert Robertson is the father of John Robertson
See Appendix______________________________________
In the absence of documentation
AI Calculated with 60-75% Probability that
Robert Robertson is the father of John Robertson
See Appendix
1505–1550
b. North Tynedale, Northumberland, England
d. TBD
Cemetery TBD
"Death (c. 1550): Likely occurred in the same Northumberland border region. Burial: Traditionally associated with the Falstone Parish Church or the ancient St. Cuthbert’s Church in Bellingham, Northumberland." Google AI
AI Generated Image by Microsoft Copilot using the prompt "Can you generate a photorealistic image of Robert Robeson / Robertson (1505–1550)?" 13 Jan 2025.
Ancestry (TBD) | FamilySearch (TBD) | Find a Grave (TBD) | Geneanet (TBD) | Geni (TBD) | Google (TBD) | MyHeritage (TBD) | Newspapers (TBD) | Obituary (TBD) | RootsFinder (TBD) | WikiTree (TBD)
Noteworthy
- Recorded as the son of Thomas Robertson 1485–1540. This Robert lived during a period of intense border activity and early Reformation-era record keeping.
- Tags:
Parents & Maternal Lineage TBD
Parents:
Thomas Robeson / Robson / Robertson 1485–1540
Maternal Lineage:
Spouse:
Married:
Children:
- John Robertson 1523–1613 Calculated with 60-75% probability by Copilot AI. See Appendix.
- Others TBD
- Ancestry TBD | FamilySearch TBD
Potpourri
Bill's 13th Great-Grandfather
1485–1540
b.
d.
Cemetery TBD
Ancestry (TBD) | FamilySearch (TBD) | Find a Grave (TBD) | Geneanet (TBD) | Geni (TBD) | Google (TBD) | MyHeritage (TBD) | Newspapers (TBD) | Obituary (TBD) | RootsFinder (TBD) | WikiTree (TBD)
Noteworthy
- migrant to England
- This Thomas is frequently associated with the early Robson/Robeson families of the English-Scottish Border regions, particularly in Northumberland or the Scottish Borders. He is part of the era when these surnames were used interchangeably with "Robertson". Google
- Tags:
Parents & Maternal Lineage TBD
Parents:
Robert Duncan‑son / MacRobert (1465–1520) — grandson
Maternal Lineage:
Spouse:
Married:
Children:
- Robert Robeson / Robertson 1505–1550
- Others TBD
- Ancestry TBD | FamilySearch TBD
Potpourri
Bill's 14th Great-Grandfather
1465–1520
b.
d.
Cemetery TBD
Ancestry (TBD) | FamilySearch (TBD) | Find a Grave (TBD) | Geneanet (TBD) | Geni (TBD) | Google (TBD) | MyHeritage (TBD) | Newspapers (TBD) | Obituary (TBD) | RootsFinder (TBD) | WikiTree (TBD)
Noteworthy
- grandson of Robert Riabhach Duncanson (1390–1450)
- Tags:
Parents & Maternal Lineage TBD
Parents:
Duncan Robertson (1430–1490)
Maternal Lineage:
Spouse:
Married:
Children:
- Thomas Robeson / Robson 1485–1540
- Others TBD
- Ancestry TBD | FamilySearch TBD
Potpourri
Bill's 15th Great-Grandfather
1430–1490
b.
d.
Cemetery TBD
Ancestry (TBD) | FamilySearch (TBD) | Find a Grave (TBD) | Geneanet (TBD) | Geni (TBD) | Google (TBD) | MyHeritage (TBD) | Newspapers (TBD) | Obituary (TBD) | RootsFinder (TBD) | WikiTree (TBD)
Noteworthy
- younger son of Robert Riabhach Duncanson (1390–1450)
- Tags:
Parents & Maternal Lineage TBD
Parents:
Robert Riabhach Duncanson (1390–1450)
Maternal Lineage:
Spouse:
Married:
Children:
- Robert Duncan‑son / MacRobert 1465–1520
- Others TBD
- Ancestry TBD | FamilySearch TBD
Potpourri
Bill's 16th Great-Grandfather and Cheryl's 15th Great-Grandfather
Making Cheryl and Bill 16th Cousins 1x Removed through their Robertson lineages
1390–1450
Since the Robertson lineage on Bill's side converges at this point with the Robertson line on Cheryl's side, please see the ancestors of James Clifton Robertson 1921-2007 to continue.
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From Copilot query 12 Jan 2026:
He owned property in OakleyHis will (proved 25 Sept 1613) shows:
He left bequests to local families
He names no parents, confirming they were deceased long before
He names Frances as his heirThis is the strongest primary document for his identity.
From Copilot prompt "Who is the earliest immigrant from Scotland to Norfolk, England with he surname Robertson?" 12 Jan 2026:
Based on the absence of the surname in earlier records, the earliest possible Robertson in Norfolk is:
John Robertson (1523–1613)
He is the first documented person with the surname in the region.
But—and this is important—there is no evidence he was born in Scotland.
His birthplace is unknown, and no record calls him “Scotchman,” “Scot,” or “foreigner,” which Tudor records often did.
From Copilot prompt "What other Scottish immigrants living in England with the surname Robertson could have been ancestors of John Robertson 1523–1613" 12 Jan 2026:
Based on all surviving historical evidence, no Scottish immigrants named Robertson are documented anywhere in England early enough (before 1523) to be plausible ancestors of John Robertson (1523–1613). The searchable immigration records for 1330–1550 contain no Robertson entries at all.
This means that no known Scottish-born Robertson living in England before 1523 can be linked to John, and any such ancestor would be unrecorded.
There is no record of any Scottish-born Robertson in England early enough to be John’s ancestor.
From Copilot prompt "A list of all Robson/Robeson/Roberdson men in Norfolk/Suffolk 1450–1550" 12 Jan 2026:
There is no surviving, searchable, or published list of all men named Robson, Robeson, or Roberdson in Norfolk or Suffolk between 1450–1550. The tax rolls, manorial rolls, and court rolls that contain these names exist, but none of them are digitized or indexed by surname, so no list can be produced from online sources.
From Copilot prompt "Where might he have immigrated from?" 12 Jan 2026:
Here’s the clearest, evidence‑based answer:
Most likely origin of John Robertson (1523–1613): Scotland — specifically the Highlands (Perthshire/Atholl region)
Every authoritative source on the surname Robertson agrees that it originated in Scotland, especially in the Atholl region of Perthshire, where Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson) formed. This makes Scotland the strongest candidate for where John’s paternal line came from, even if he himself may have been born in England.
But there are two other realistic possibilities based on surname distribution and migration patterns.
Let’s break them down.
1. Most likely origin: The Scottish Highlands (Perthshire / Atholl)
The surname Robertson is especially common in Scotland.Sources show:
It originated with Clan Donnachaidh, whose chiefs took the name from Robert Riabhach Duncanson in the 15th century.
The clan’s historic homeland is Atholl in Perthshire.Why this matters:
If John’s father or grandfather migrated to England, the most likely origin is Highland Scotland, not the Borders or Lowlands.
Most likely scenario:
John was born in England, but
his father or grandfather came from Scotland, probably the Highlands.
From Copilot prompt "How likely is it that he is descended from Clan Donnachaidh?" 12 Jan 2026:
Robertson is overwhelmingly a Highland Scottish surname in the 1400s–1500sIf John Robertson (1523–1613) truly had Scottish paternal origins, then Clan Donnachaidh is the single most likely source, because:
The only major Scottish group using Robertson as a hereditary surname that early was Clan Donnachaidh
No English or Lowland Scottish population used “Robertson” in significant numbers before 1600
East Anglia had almost no local Robertsons, so the name almost certainly arrived from elsewhere
1. What the surname tells us
In the early 1500s:
✔ “Robertson” is a Highland clan surname, not an English one
The name is tied to:
Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson)
Centered in Atholl, Perthshire
Using the surname by the 1400s✔ In England, the surname was almost nonexistent
Before 1600, English records show:
Robson (Northumberland/Durham)
Robison/Robeson
Roberdson
RobinsonBut not Robertson in East Anglia.
This strongly suggests that if John’s paternal line wasn’t local, it was Scottish Highland.
2. What the geography tells us
Norfolk and Suffolk were not typical destinations for Scots.
But when Scots did appear in England before 1600, they were usually:
soldiers
craftsmen
seasonal laborers
displaced Highlanders after clan conflictsA Highlander from Perthshire showing up in East Anglia is unusual, but not impossible.
And if one did, he would almost certainly carry a clan surname like Robertson.
3. What the timeline tells us
John was born in 1523, which means:
His father was born roughly 1480–1500
His grandfather around 1450–1470During this period, Clan Donnachaidh was:
expanding
involved in conflicts
sending men south for military service
interacting with English forces during the reigns of James III, James IV, and Henry VIIThis is exactly the kind of environment that produces migration.
From Copilot prompt "Assuming that he does descend from Clan Donnachaidh, who would be the most likely ancestor?" 12 Jan 2026:
how surnames formed in the clanIf we assume John Robertson (1523–1613) descends from Clan Donnachaidh, then we can narrow the possibilities using what we know about:
which branches produced migrants
which lines were large enough to send descendants south
which men lived early enough to be John’s ancestorBut we have to be honest: no written record can identify a specific ancestor. What we can do is identify the most historically plausible lineages within the clan.
Below is the clearest, evidence‑based reconstruction of who his ancestor would most likely have been.
Clan Donnachaidh: Which line could lead to John Robertson?
Clan Donnachaidh descends from:
Donnchadh Reamhar (“Stout Duncan”), c. 1300
The clan takes its name from him.
Robert Riabhach Duncanson (the first to use “Robertson” as a surname)His descendants include:
The chiefs of the clan (Robertson of Struan)
Several large cadet branchesIf John descends from the clan, his ancestor almost certainly comes from one of these branches.
1. The most likely ancestor: A descendant of Robert Riabhach Duncanson (fl. 1430s)
This is the man whose sons first used “Robertson” as a hereditary surname.
He lived early enough (c. 1400–1450) to be a 3rd–4th great‑grandfather of John (born 1523).Why he is the strongest candidate:
His descendants formed the largest and most widespread branch of the clan.
Many cadet lines trace back to him.
His descendants are the ones most likely to appear outside Perthshire.If John’s line is truly Highland Scottish, Robert Riabhach is the most probable ancestor.
2. Second‑most likely: A younger son of the Robertson of Struan chiefs
The chiefs’ family produced many younger sons who:
- served in the Scottish army
- became mercenaries
- traveled south into England
- joined trade networks
These men often left fewer records, but they are exactly the type who could end up in England.
A younger son born around 1450–1480 could easily be John’s grandfather or great‑grandfather.
3. Third‑most likely: A cadet branch such as:
- Robertsons of Lude
- Robertsons of Inches
- Robertsons of Kindeace
- Robertsons of Straloch
These branches were active in the 1400s–1500s and produced men who traveled widely.
If John descends from a cadet branch, the most likely are those closest to the Struan line.
4. Least likely but possible: A MacRobert / MacRob lineage absorbed into the clan
Some families used:
- MacRobert
- MacRob
- MacRobie
These sometimes adopted “Robertson” later.
MacRobert families were smallerThis is less likely for John because:
They were not major migrants
Their surname adoption happened later (1500s–1600s)So who is the single most likely ancestor?
If we assume John’s paternal line is genuinely Clan Donnachaidh, then the most historically plausible ancestor is:
Robert Riabhach Duncanson (fl. 1420–1450), The progenitor of the Robertson surname.
He is the earliest man whose descendants consistently used “Robertson,” and his line is the one most likely to have produced migrants.
From Copilot prompt "How many generations are likely to have been from John Robertson to Robert Riabhach Duncanson (fl. 1420–1450)?" 12 Jan 2026:
A good way to approach this is to treat it like a historical math problem. We know the approximate dates for both men, and we can use realistic generation lengths for the 1400s–1500s to estimate how many generations separate them.
Let’s walk through it clearly and sensibly.
Step 1: Anchor the dates
John Robertson: born 1523 Robert Riabhach Duncanson: active 1420–1450 (likely born c. 1390–1410)
So the time gap between them is roughly:
If Robert was born c. 1400 → John born 1523
≈ 120–130 years difference
Step 2: Use realistic generation lengths
For medieval and early‑modern Scotland/England, the average generational span is:
28–32 years for father → son
Shorter spans (22–26 years) are possible, but not typical
Longer spans (35–40 years) happen when men father children late in life
Using the standard 28–32 year range gives the most historically accurate estimate.
Step 3: Do the math
120–130 years ÷ 28–32 years per generation = 4 to 5 generations
This is the most realistic estimate.
Final Answer: 4–5 generations
If John Robertson (1523–1613) descends from Robert Riabhach Duncanson (fl. 1420–1450), the most likely generational distance is:
Robert Riabhach Duncanson → (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) → John Robertson
or
Robert Riabhach Duncanson → (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) → (5) → John Robertson
So John would be approximately:
Robert Riabhach’s 4× great‑grandson, or
Robert Riabhach’s 5× great‑grandson
Both are historically plausible.
Why this matters
This generational spacing fits neatly with:
the period when the Robertson surname became hereditary
the expansion of Clan Donnachaidh
the timeframe when younger sons might migrate south
the appearance of the surname in England by the early 1500s
It’s one of the reasons the Clan Donnachaidh hypothesis is possible, even if not provable on paper.
From Copilot prompt "Map out a hypothetical generational chain showing how a younger son of a Donnachaidh line could plausibly end up in East Anglia by 1500" 12 Jan 2026:
Here’s a historically grounded, plausible generational chain showing how a younger son of Clan Donnachaidh could end up in Norfolk/Suffolk by around 1500, eventually leading to John Robertson (1523–1613). This is not a claim of fact—just the most realistic scenario based on clan history, migration patterns, and the timeline.
I’ll keep it vivid and human, because these movements only make sense when you imagine the pressures and opportunities of the time.
Generation 1 — Robert Riabhach Duncanson (born c. 1400)
The man whose descendants first used Robertson as a hereditary surname.
A prominent figure in Clan Donnachaidh
Active during the reigns of James I and James II
Had multiple sons, some of whom stayed in Atholl, others who served in military campaigns
Key point: His younger sons had fewer inheritance prospects and often sought opportunities outside the clan lands.
Generation 2 — A younger son of Robert Riabhach (born c. 1430–1440)
This man is the crucial link.
Not the heir, so he inherits little or no land
Likely serves as a retainer, soldier, or mercenary
Could have participated in conflicts such as:
Clan feuds in Perthshire
Border skirmishes
Service under Scottish nobles allied with the crown
Why he might leave Scotland: Younger sons of Highland chiefs often left to seek military or economic opportunities.
Where he might go:
Edinburgh
Stirling
The Scottish Borders
Northern England (Northumberland, Durham)
This is the generation where the first southward movement becomes realistic.
Generation 3 — His son, born in northern England (c. 1460–1470)
This man may be the first in the line to be born outside Perthshire.
Grows up in a border region where Scots and English intermingle
May appear in records under variant surnames:
Robson
Robeson
Roberdson
Works as a laborer, soldier, or drover
Possibly participates in cross‑border cattle trade or seasonal work
Why this matters: This generation bridges the gap between Highland Scotland and the English interior.
Generation 4 — His son, born c. 1485–1495, moves into East Anglia
This is the most important migration step.
Why would a northern English/Scottish man move to Norfolk or Suffolk?
East Anglia in the late 1400s–early 1500s was:
the wealthiest agricultural region in England
a center of the wool and cloth trade
a major employer of migrant labor
full of manorial estates needing seasonal workers
A young man with no land and no prospects in the north might easily:
join a merchant caravan
travel with drovers moving cattle south
enlist in a retinue that later disbands in East Anglia
follow trade routes into the wool towns of Suffolk
This is the generation most likely to adopt or stabilize the surname “Robertson.”
Generation 5 — His son, born c. 1505–1510, settles in Hoxne Hundred (Suffolk)
This man is the most plausible father of John Robertson.
Works as a tenant farmer or laborer
Lives in or near Oakley, Syleham, Wingfield, or Hoxne
Appears in no surviving records (common for rural laborers before 1538)
His surname may appear as:
Robson
Robeson
Roberdson
Robertson (if the family is stabilizing the name)
This is the generation where the Scottish origin becomes invisible in the records.
Generation 6 — John Robertson (1523–1613)
Born in a world where:
Parish registers have not yet begun
His father’s name is unrecorded
His surname is now fixed as Robertson
He marries Ales Grene in 1548
He becomes the first documented Robertson in Norfolk/Suffolk
Summary of the hypothetical chain
Robert Riabhach Duncanson (c. 1400)
His younger son, a landless warrior (c. 1435)
Grandson, born in northern England (c. 1465)
Great‑grandson, migrates to East Anglia for work (c. 1490)
Great‑great‑grandson, father of John, settles in Hoxne Hundred (c. 1505)
John Robertson, born 1523 in Suffolk/Norfolk
This chain fits:
the timeline
the surname evolution
known migration patterns
the absence of earlier Robertsons in East Anglia
the generational spacing (4–5 generations)
From Copilot prompt "What are the names and dates of the most likely men to have been these people" 12 Jan 2026:
I can map this out for you — but with one important truth up front:
No historical record names the actual men who could fill these generational “slots.” So what I can give you is the most historically plausible candidates, based on:
Clan Donnachaidh genealogy
Known sons and grandsons of the early chiefs
Typical ages and generational spacing
Which branches produced younger sons likely to migrate
The timeline needed to reach John Robertson (1523–1613)
This gives you a realistic, evidence‑based hypothetical lineage, not fantasy names.
Let’s build it step by step.
GENERATION 1
Robert Riabhach Duncanson
Born: c. 1390–1410 Active: 1420–1450 Died: after 1450 Role: Progenitor of the Robertson surname; major figure in Clan Donnachaidh.
He is the earliest man whose descendants consistently used Robertson.
GENERATION 2
Likely: One of Robert Riabhach’s younger sons
These men are documented in clan histories, though not all by name. The most likely candidates are:
1. Duncan (younger son)
Born: c. 1425–1435 Notes: Younger sons of clan leaders often served in military retinues or left Atholl.
2. Patrick (younger son)
Born: c. 1430–1440 Notes: Appears in some genealogies as a non‑heir son.
3. Unnamed younger sons
Clan genealogies from this period often list only the heir and omit younger sons entirely. These unnamed sons are exactly the type who would migrate.
Most likely profile: A younger son born 1430–1440, with no land inheritance, serving as a soldier or retainer.
GENERATION 3
A grandson of Robert Riabhach, born c. 1460–1475
This man would be:
Son of a younger son
Possibly born in Perthshire or the Scottish Borders
Possibly recorded under a patronymic (MacRobert, Duncanson)
A man with no inheritance and every reason to move south
Plausible names (based on clan naming patterns):
Robert
Duncan
Patrick
Alexander
James
These names dominate Donnachaidh male lines in the 1400s–1500s.
Most likely profile: A man born 1460–1475, perhaps serving in border conflicts or mercenary companies.
GENERATION 4
A great‑grandson, born c. 1485–1500, who migrates to England
This is the generation most likely to leave Scotland.
Why this generation moves:
Post‑James III and James IV conflicts
Economic hardship in the Highlands
Opportunities in northern England
Military service under nobles who later disband retinues in England
Trade routes (cattle, wool, hides)
Likely names (based on clan patterns):
Robert
Duncan
Thomas
John
William
Likely locations before East Anglia:
Northumberland
Durham
Yorkshire
Lincolnshire
Most likely profile: A man born 1485–1500, possibly recorded as Robson, Robeson, or Roberdson, who follows trade or military routes into East Anglia.
GENERATION 5
Father of John Robertson
Born: c. 1500–1510 Likely location: Hoxne Hundred (Suffolk) or Depwade/Earsham (Norfolk) Likely occupation: Tenant farmer, laborer, or estate worker Likely surname:
Robson
Robeson
Roberdson
Robertson (if the name had stabilized)
Plausible names (based on naming patterns in East Anglia):
Robert
John
Thomas
William
Most likely profile: A man born 1500–1510, living in or near Oakley or Frense, whose name does not survive in any record.
GENERATION 6
John Robertson (1523–1613)
The first documented Robertson in Norfolk/Suffolk.
Putting it all together
Here is the most historically plausible hypothetical chain, with realistic names and dates:
Robert Riabhach Duncanson (1390–1450)
Duncan Robertson (1430–1490) — younger son
Robert Duncan‑son / MacRobert (1465–1520) — grandson
Thomas Robeson / Robson (1485–1540) — migrant to England
Robert Robeson / Robertson (1505–1550) — father of John
John Robertson (1523–1613)
This chain fits:
the generational spacing
clan naming patterns
migration patterns
the appearance of the surname in East Anglia
the absence of earlier Robertsons in Norfolk/Suffolk
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© 2025 William H Lawson Jr
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