Hello and welcome to the Redpath DNA Project. The aim of this project is to study the Redpath surname origin, history and it's variants; Redpeth, Ridpath, Reidpath, Reidpeth, Readpith, ect... Redpath is Scottish in origin and is one of the oldest border surnames or clans. Please upgrade to the Y-700 tests if possible to ensure accuracy but at the very least Y-67 if possible.

HISTORY

The Redpath history is closely woven into the fabric of the history of the eastern border of Scotland, also known as the Scottish East March. Bearers of the name Redpath are believed to be descended originally from the Boernicians. This founding race of the north were a mixture of Scottish Picts, Angles and Vikings, a race dating from about the year 400 A.D. Between 400 A.D. to 900 A.D., the Border Lands were overrun by the Ancient Britons, then by the Angles from the south, and finally by the Vikings, Picts and Dalriadans from the north. Around 1000 A.D., the race had formed into Clans and families. The Redpaths are one of the Border Clans or also known as Border Reivers. The Border Reivers were families or Clans that were loyal only to themselves and survived by reiving, fighting, extortion and kidnapping along with other horrible acts that brought the Borders down to the lowest of low. To the point of both the English and Scottish Monarchy breaking up the Borders by displacing the families and Clans out of the area and even into other countries. This was part of the Scottish Migration to Ulster. Their territories ranged from Edinburgh, Scotland to the North Riding of Yorkshire in England. The Redpath families earliest records were found in Berwick where they were recorded as a "family of great antiquity seated on the lands of Redpath in the Parish of Earlston. William de Redepathe of Redpath rendered homage to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. Thomas Redpath and his wife acquired the lands of Preston in the "Barony of Bonkylle" by Thomas Stewart, Earl of Angus, in 1376, as confirmed by King Robert of Scotland. In 1547 the Redpaths were maneuvered into a feud with the Humes or Homes much to their own demise. They later branched to Angelraw in Berwickshire, and in 1597 they were registered as a Border Clan with their own Chief in Scottish Parliament." Descending were a series of Chiefs with Thomas Redpath in 1602." 

“One George Ridpath published a "Border History of England and Scotland" in 1776. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Redepathe, rendered homage, which was dated 1296, in "Documents relating to Scotland in the Public Record Office", during the reign of King John Baliol of Scotland, 1292 - 1296.” The Border Clans, largely the Strathclyde Britons on the western border, and the Boernicians on the Eastern Border Marches, were dispersed to England, northern Scotland and to Ireland. Some were banished directly to the Colonies. Notable amongst the family members during their early history was Thomas Redpath, Chief of the Clan in 1602.