[5] The surname Galbraith can be rendered in Scottish Gaelic as Mac a' Bhreatannaich.
[6] The surname is borne by members of Clan Galbraith.
[4] The earliest recorded chief of this family may be "Gillcrist Bretnach", a man attested in 1193.
[8] This man's name could indicate that he was either of Welsh[9] or North British ancestry.
[10] Early examples of forms of the surname include: "Gillescop Galbrad" in 1208×1214;[11] "Gillescop Galbrath" in 1208×1214;[12] "Gillescop Gallebrad" in 1208×1214;[13] "Wilielmo filio Arthuri filii Galbrait" in 1239;[14] "Gillaspec Galbraith" in 1208×1241;[15] and "Mauritio filio Gillaspic Galbraith" in 1208×1265.