, the gallant defender of Gibraltar, was the son of sir Gilbert Eliott
, the gallant defender of
Gibraltar, was the son of sir Gilbert Eliott of Stobbs in
Roxburghshire. The ancient and honourable family of
Eliott of Stobbs, as well as the collateral branch of Eliott
of Min to in the same county, and of Eliott of port Eliott,
in Cornwall, are originally from Normandy. Their ancestor M. Aliott came over with William the conqueror,
and held a distinguished rank in his army. There is a
traditionary anecdote in the family relating to an honourable distinction in their coat, which, as it corresponds
with history, bears the probability of truth. When William set foot on the English land, he slipped and fell on
the earth. On springing up again, he exclaimed, that it
was a happy omen; he had taken seisin of the country
whereof he was to become lord. Upon this, Aliott drevr
his sword, and swore by the honour of a soldier, that he
would maintain, at the hazard of his blood, the right of
his lord to the sovereignty of the land of which he had thus
taken possession. On the event of conquest, king William
added to the arms of Aliott, which were a baton Or, on a
field Azure, an arm and sword as a crest, with the motto,
“Per saxa, per ignes, fortiter & recte.
”