Expert: Maria - 4/16/2006

Question
hi, I have just uncovered some of my grandfathers research into my familys history. He has records of a coat of arms and has the family motto as 'ne doubtero' could you translate it please?

I have tried translation sites but none of them find meaning for 'doubtero'

I imagine it is latin, could it be as simple as 'no doubts?'


Many thanks for your time


Lewis Strangward

Answer
Hello,

“Ne doubtero” is not Latin at all.
In Latin in fact this motto should be  “Ne dubitaveris”
( Negative Imperative) which means “Don't hesitate”,”Don't doubt”.
I think on the contrary that it is ancient French.
In this case 'ne doubtero' could be:
1)“ne doubter” (negative infinitive mood) meaning “not to doubt” .
2)“ne doubtera” ( future, 3rd.person singular) meaning “He will not doubt”.
3)“ne doubteront” (future, 3rd pers.plural) meaning “They will not doubt”.
All these expressions however differ from “ne doubtero”, but it's possible that the last vowel or syllable has been incorrectly  written .
Finally I must point out that “doubter” (to doubt) is the archaic form for “douter”.

To conclude, the sense of  your family motto is ‘no doubts', as you said.

Best regards,
Maria