• Home
  • News & Current Affairs
  • Brexit
  • Politics
  • Podcasts
    • The Eamonn Mallie Podcast
    • Eamonn Mallie – Stream Of Consciousness
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Friday, September 22
  • About Eamonn Mallie
  • Published Books
  • Our Authors
  • Get In Touch
Facebook Twitter
Eamonn Mallie
  • Home
  • News & Current Affairs
  • Brexit
  • Politics
  • Podcasts
    • The Eamonn Mallie Podcast
    • Eamonn Mallie – Stream Of Consciousness
Eamonn Mallie
You are at:Home»News & Current Affairs»Mike Nesbitt and King William lll of Orange
News & Current Affairs

Mike Nesbitt and King William lll of Orange

Eamonn MallieBy Eamonn MallieMarch 26, 2012Updated:August 22, 2012No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Social share:

 

Is Mike Nesbitt, who wants to be leader of the Ulster Unionist party related to King William lll of Orange, or has he got the ‘bit’ between his teeth?

Recorded in the varied spellings of Nesbit, Nesbitt, Nesbet, Nesbett, Nesbeth, Nesbath and Nesbut, this unusual name is both locational and Anglo Scottish, the name may have originated from either the barony of Nesbit in Berwick, or the villages of Nesbitt or Nesbit, in Northumberland and Durham.

However spelt, the origin is Olde English pre 10th century “nesebit”, a word which describes a steel bit which joins the cheek pieces together.

This would suggest that either the villages were originally famous for manufacturing this type of bit, or that second element does not mean bit,  but bight, a north country word for a bend, meaning that the villages stood on “noselike bends” of a river? What is certain is that the villages were recorded as “Nesebit” in the 1242 Court Lists of Northumberland, and as “Nesbitt” in 1311.

The surname has remained largely true to the village name over these past seven centuries, almost a record in itself. In the Feudal Rolls of Durham, William de Nesbite appears in 1250, in the reign of King Henry 111. He is believed to have been a Knight Templar (Crusader), although this is not proven.

A later Nesbitt reportedly showed equal enthusiasm for a cause, one John Nesbitt of Edinburgh (1661 – 1727) displaying rather too much protestant zeal, and in consequence he was forced to flee to Holland. He returned with King William 111 of Orange in 1689, and was given various posts in London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Nesbit, which was dated 1160, A charter witness at the Abbey of Kelso, Scotland, during the reign of King Malcolm 1V of Scotland, 1153 – 1166.


Social share:
Previous ArticleIs there Greek blood in aspiring Ulster Unionist Party leader John McCallister?
Next Article The Portstewart dogs that are bigger standing than most dogs sitting
Avatar photo
Eamonn Mallie
  • Website
  • Twitter

I am a regular contributor to discussion programmes on TV and radio both at home and abroad. An experienced political editor and author specialising in Politics, Security and 20th Century Art.

Related Posts

How the killings of two men 25 years ago helped to break the deadlock in the Peace Talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement – by Mark Durkan

March 4, 2023

Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice

February 15, 2022

‘The Troubles were just there, part of our normal…’  – By Brian Rowan 

January 26, 2022

Comments are closed.

Our Picks

How the killings of two men 25 years ago helped to break the deadlock in the Peace Talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement – by Mark Durkan

March 4, 2023

Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice

February 15, 2022

‘The Troubles were just there, part of our normal…’  – By Brian Rowan 

January 26, 2022

The Health System Needs Surgery – by Mark Sidebottom

November 19, 2021
Follow me on Twitter
Tweets by @EamonnMallie
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
About
About

Northern Ireland's home for Independent thought. News & Current Affairs from Northern Ireland. Opinions, The Arts, Sports & more.

We're social, connect with us:

Facebook Twitter
Popular Posts

How the killings of two men 25 years ago helped to break the deadlock in the Peace Talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement – by Mark Durkan

March 4, 2023

Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice

February 15, 2022

‘The Troubles were just there, part of our normal…’  – By Brian Rowan 

January 26, 2022
Recent Comments
  • Telkom University on Too late to bolt the OTR door – by Brian Rowan
  • Get free iPhone 14 Pro Max: https://www.ibnbookkeepingservices.com/uploads/go.php hs=53ea384796b3b5e969f3b86dbdb0fef0* on Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice
  • Get free iPhone 14 Pro Max: http://www.lhci.com/upload/go.php hs=195216de0b4fbad2e456f0e91ec6c3c1* on Unionism’s blue print for the future – By Doug Beattie
Copyright ©Eamonn Mallie. Designed by Web Design Belfast.
  • Copyright

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.