Various Clans histories

MadWelshie · Various Clans histories

Agnew

There are at least two possible derivations of this name. Firstly, from the Norman French barony of d'Agneux, via England and Liddesdale in the Scottish Borders. Secondly, from a branch of O'Gnimh, who were the hereditary poets of the O'Neils in Antrim, Ireland. The name was written in English as O'Gnive, then O'Gnyw and later O'Gnew.

Whatever its origins, the family became established in Wigtownshire in south-west Scotland. Andrew Agnew was appointed hereditary Sheriff of Wigtown in 1451 and his descendants hold that office to this day. Lochnaw Castle was their base with another branch in Lochryan. Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547.

The family prospered and there were a number of judicious marriages with other wealthy families in the area. The 5th Baronet, Sir Andrew, commanded a regiment at the Battle of Dettingen, Bavaria in 1743, when King George II commanded the English and Hanoverian troops against the French (the last monarch to do so directly). When the king commented on the way the French cavalry had penetrated Sir Andrew's troops he replied "Yes, please your Majesty, but they didna win back again". Sir Andrew later held Blair Castle in Perthshire against the Jacobite forces.

The 6th Baronet married the daughter of the Irish Lord Kingsdale and the 7th Baronet inherited the title and estates. He set about rebuilding Lochnaw castle (though it is now no longer in Agnew hands). A number of Irish Agnews emigrated to the American colonies, especially in Pennsylvania. The 11th Baronet, Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, is one of Scotland's leading heraldic experts and is the Rothesay Herald at the Court of the Lord Lyon.

The Agnew clan motto is "Consilio non impetu" which means "By wisdom, not force".

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Anderson

The use of surnames started in France around the year 1100 AD, The Norman invaders brought the practice to Scotland nearly 100 years later. However, the use of surnames was not common for some 50 years or more after this time, or around 1155AD. Prior to this, Malcolm Ceannmor (1057-1093), spouse to Queen Margaret of Scotland directed his subjects to adopt surnames after their territorial possessions. Such was the origin of the first earls of Scotland, such as Leslie, Gordon, Shaw, and Abircrumby among others. Written references to actual surnames are first found during the time of David I, who reigned from 1124-1153AD. One such reference is found for Robertus de Brus (Robert the Bruce).

In light of this understanding about the use of surnames, one can appreciate that the name ANDERSON would not be a Scandinavian name, as the Danes invaded Britain between 997-1014 AD, some 150 years prior to the use of surnames. However, we do recognize that some Scandinavians may also bear the name.

Anderson means "Son of Andrew". Typically, the intent was to denote "servant of Andrew", Andrew being the patron saint of Scotland. The Gaelic form of the name is Gillanders. The Andersons are a diverse group, with no specific place from which the name is derived. Most likely, the name cropped up all over the country over a period of time, with one group of Andersons not necessarily related to another group of Andersons.
Anderson or Ross or Donald?

Occassionally, the Anderson name is affiliated with Clan Ross, which creates some confusion among Andersons. The first five earls of Clan Ross bore the name "Aindrea", and not Ross. They too were "Servants of Andrew". As the title passed to descendants of the female line, the name, Ross, was assumed by the male representatives of the earls as it referred to their territorial origin. The name "Ross" is actually derived from the District of Ross, and is therefore a territorial name. In fact, the Ross's first referred to themselves as do the Andersons: "Andrew's Servants". It is also possible that some descendants of Highland Andersons rightfully share a heritage with what today is the Ross Clan.

Some other Highland "Gillanders" (Servants of Andrew) may be associated with Clan Donald, also through the female line. The Lord of the Isles (Clan Donald) assumed the title of Earl of Ross. In fact it was Donald MacGillandrish who accompanied Moira McDonald of Clan Donald when she became the wife to a McIntosh chief in the 1400's. their descendants became known as MacAndrew (son of the servant of Andrew). This is the origin of the affiliation with Clan Chattan.
A Clan in its own Right

According to the Lord Lyon, there was an Anderson of that Ilk in the 1500's. This specific Anderson is unknown to us today. But this reference verifies that the Andersons are a clan in their own right, despite having a shared ancestry with other groups. The Anderson name shows up in many forms: Andrews, Andirsoone, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andersoune, Andison, Andreson, Andherson, MacAndrews, Endirone, and many others.

Offical Website is found here

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Armstrong

The origins of this powerful Border family are said to go back to a "Siward Digry" (sword strong arm) who was the last Anglo-Danish Earl of Northumberland and a nephew of King Canute, who reigned in the 11th century. The name became widespread in the north of England and the Scottish Borders but their main power base became Liddesdale in the Borders. Gilbert Armstrong was a steward of King David II and in 1363 acted as an ambassador to the English court of King Edward III.

The family grew in strength and could muster 3,000 horsemen and virtually controlled the whole Border region at one stage. This meant that they were in a more or less constant state of conflict with the English lords and earls on the other side of the border with England.

The power of the Armstrongs became a perceived threat to the monarch of Scotland and King James V (who reigned from 1513 to 1542) tricked John Armstrong of Kilnockie into meeting him at Hawick - and promptly hanged him. A few years later, however, the Armstrongs refused to support King James V's invasion of England. It is possible that this made a difference at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542, which cost King James his life.

The Union of the Crowns in 1603 brought an official end to the cross-border conflicts but old habits died hard. In 1610 the Armstrong laird was hanged for a reiving (cattle rustling) raid on Penrith. The Armstrongs were scattered at that time and there has been no chief of the clan since then. Many Armstrongs moved to Northern Ireland and also around the world.

The most travelled Armstrong has to be Neil Armstrong who was the first man to walk on the moon.

The Armstrong motto is "Invictus maneo" which means "I remain unvanquished".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Armstrongs include Fairbairn and Nixon.

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Baxter

This is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "baecestre" meaning a female baker and later Middle English "bakstere" which was applied to both male and female bakers. In early Latin charters the name is rendered as "pistor" - the Latin word for baker. In that form the name is found as early as the 12th century.

Baxters are found all across Scotland but those in the west are generally regarded as dependents of the Clan Macmillan.

In Fife, they were a prominent family in their own right and witnessed important documents in the 13th century. Between 1200 and 1240 a Reginald Baxtar witnessed a gift of a church of Wemyss in Fife. The name is still found frequently in Fife and the Baxters of Earlshall in northern Fife lived in a baronial castle there. Kilmaron Castle was a mansion built for a Baxter family near Cupar in Fife, around 1820.

In 1296 Geffrei le Baxtere of Lossithe in Forfar took an oath of allegiance to the king. Baxter was (and is) a common name in Angus as Forfar was at one time a royal residence and the first Baxters there may well have been royal bakers.

The Baxters of Kincaldrum were the first to bring power-weaving to the City of Dundee. They prospered as a result and gifted Baxter Park to the city. They endowed a college which eventually became the University of Dundee.

In more modern times, the Baxter family in Fochabers on the river Spey in Morayshire have built a successful business creating quality soups and produce from local suppliers. And Stanley Baxter has had a long career as an actor and comedian.

The Baxter clan motto is "Vincit veritas" which means "Truth prevails".

MacBaxter is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the McMillan clan.

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Boyd

The earliest record of Boyd is in Irvine in Ayrshire 1205 as vassals of the Norman family of de Morvilles. There are a number of origins suggested for this name including the Gaelic "Boid" literally meaning "of Bute" (an island in the Clyde estuary). Others believe that the name was Norman in origin. Another suggestion is the Gaelic "buidhe" meaning "fair" and that Robert, a nephew of Walter the High Steward of Scotland was the first of the clan. But as the High Stewards were from Brittany it seems unlikely that they would use a Gaelic nickname (or would be fair haired).

Sir Robert Boyd was a strong supporter of Robert the Bruce and his success as a commander at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 led to him being granted lands in Ayrshire, particularly around Kilmarnock. They were raised to the peerage by King James II and Lord Boyd was one of the regents of Scotland during the minority of King James III, while a younger Boyd was a military tutor to the young king. Lord Boyd became Great Chamberlain and his son, Thomas, married Mary, the king's sister and was appointed Earl of Arran. However, their enemies conspired to convince the king that the Boyds were becoming too powerful and in 1469 they were summoned to answer charges against them. Lord Boyd escaped to England and the Earl of Arran, who was abroad at the time, remained in exile.

The family returned to favour under Mary Queen of Scots and all their estates and honours were restored. Lord Boyd supported her at the Battle of Langside in 1568 and continued to visit her when she was later imprisoned in England.

The 10th Lord Boyd was created Earl of Kilmarnock in 1661 by King Charles II. The 3rd Earl fought against the Stuarts in the 1715 Jacobite Uprising, but the 4th Earl was a Jacobite supporter and was executed in London after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. All the Boyd titles were forfeited but the eldest son succeeded to the earldom of Erroll in 1758, through his mother, and took the surname Hay. In 1941 the brother of the 22nd Earl of Erroll resumed the name of Boyd and the title of Lord Kilmarnock as well as becoming chief of the clan.

A Boyd from Wigtown emigrated to Australia and a town in New South Wales was named after him. A number of Boyds went to Ulster with the Scots settlers and some of these moved on later to USA.

The Boyd clan motto is "Confido" which means "I trust".

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Boyle

The de Boyvilles were Anglo-Norman knights from Beauville, near Caen, who came to Scotland after the Norman conquest of England in 1066 - there is a record of a David de Boivil witnessing a charter as early as 1164. Henry de Boyville was the keeper of the castles of Dumfries and Galloway in 1291 (taking over from another, earlier, Boyville) and three de Boyvils signed King Edward's Ragman Roll in 1296.

For some time the name was confined to the south-west of Scotland where it was pronounced as "bowl". Gradually, pronunciation and spelling became one syllable, Boyll in 1367 and Boyle in 1482, although as with so many names, there were many other variants.

The family spread into Ayrshire and Largs and Kelburn Castle became the seat of the major line. John Boyle was a supporter of King James III and was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. The family lands were forfeited but John's son managed to have them restored by King James IV. Support for Mary Queen of Scots and later, King Charles I, did not help the family fortunes. But during the 17th century the Boyle's grew rich through shipping and shipbuilding. Towards the end of the 17th century, David Boyle of Kelburn was elected as a Commissioner of Parliament and a Privy Councillor. He became Lord Boyle of Kelburn in 1699 and then Earl of Glasgow in 1703, one of the last to be created under the Scottish peerage. He was one of the commissioners who supported the Act of Union in 1707. He is thought to have bribed poor Jacobite supporters to support the Bill. As a staunch Hanoverian, he raised troops to fight against the Jacobite Uprising in 1715.John, the 3rd Earl of Glasgow, followed a military career in Europe and lost a hand in the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 and was wounded twice at the Battle of Lauffeldt in 1747. He later became Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. His widow built a monument to the Earl in the grounds of Kelburn Castle, which has survived to this day.

In 1869, the 6th Earl of Glasgow inherited Kelburn and land in Dalry, Stewarton, Corshill and Fenwick and the estate at Hawkeshead outside Paisley, plus estates in Dunbartonshire, Fife, Northumberland and the greater part of Cumbrae. However, he ran into debt building Episcopal churches all over Scotland, including a Cathedral in Perth and one in Cumbrae. By 1888 he was one million pounds in debt. His cousin, David Boyle of Stewarton, later Seventh Earl of Glasgow, sold his own lands to buy back the Kelburn Estate at auction. All the rest was lost to the family. The 7th Earl was a naval officer and became Governor of New Zealand from 1892 to 1897.

A branch of the Boyles from Kelburn became established in Ireland and eventually became the Earls of Cork

The 10th Earl of Glasgow still lives at Kelburn Castle, land held by the family since the 13th century and Boyles from all over the world visit the estate, which is now a country park.

The Boyle clan motto is "Dominus provedebit" which means "God will provide".

Boyle was the 84th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Brodie

There are three possible origins for this name. Firstly, a placename on the Moray Firth ("brothac" is a Gaelic word meaning "muddy") or secondly from the Flemish word for brother. Thirdly, that the name derives from a Pictish royal family named "Brude". There is certainly evidence of Pictish settlements around Brodie and it appears that Malcolm, Thane of Brodie, was a descendant of the old Pictish aristocracy. His son was granted a charter for property in Moray by Robert the Bruce, not for services rendered but because of an ancient right of his ancestors. Early records of the family are scant as many were burnt in 1645 by Lord Lewis Gordon during the Civil War.

Alexander Brodie of Brodie (1617-79) was a staunch Presbyterian who was among those who destroyed carvings and paintings in Elgin Cathedral in 1640 because he considered them to be idolatrous. In 1649 he was one of the commissioners sent to negotiate with the exiled King Charles II for his return to Scotland. He later accepted judicial office under the "Protectorate" set up by Oliver Cromwell (though only after Cromwell's death).

Brodies spread beyond Moray and Alexander Brodie was Lord of Session in Edinburgh in 1657-61 and other Brodies were prominent in the legal profession in the 17th century.

Castle Brodie was started in the 16th century and is now in the care of the National Trust. In 1727, Alexander Brodie of Brodie became Lord Lyon, King of Arms, responsible for heraldry in Scotland.There is a striking portrait of Alexander in his official robes on display in Brodie Castle. Alexander was Lord Lyon during the Jacobite Uprising and supported the Duke of Cumberland during the campaign.

In the 18th century, Deacon William Brodie was a respected Edinburgh councillor by day and a successful burglar by night. His exploits are said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde".

The Brodie clan motto is "Unite".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Brodie clan include Bryde.

Clan Brodie

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Brown

Brown is the second most common name in Scotland and is also found frequently in England and the USA as well as other parts of the world. It might be thought that a name such as this, which was spread so widely, would not have a specifically Scottish pedigree. But the Broun family (spelt thus) has a crest recognised by the Lord Lyon King at Arms and is included in the list of clans and families maintained by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. They also have a recognised tartan.

The French "Le Brun" appeared early in England (around 970) but did not arise in Scotland until the 12th century. Walterus Brown was involved with the church in Glasgow in 1116 and Richard de Broun and others with the same surname signed the Ragman Roll in 1296 when all the nobles and landowners were forced to swear allegiance to King Edward I of England.

A long line of Browns, which can be traced for 850 years, is the Brouns of Colstoun in East Lothian. The first of the line may have been Sir David le Brun who gave the land and witnessed the charter founding the Abbey of Holyroodhouse in 1128. These Brouns claimed that they were originally descended from the royal house of France - their arms bore the three gold lilies of France. The Broun arms registered with the Lord Lyon has a lion rampant holding a French "fleur de lis".

Sir John Brune was High Sheriff of Aberdeenshire in 1368. Patrick Broun of Colstoun was created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1686. The 13th Baronet is Sir William Windsor Broun who lives in New South Wales, Australia.

Robert Brown, who was born in Montrose in 1773 was a botanist who worked in Australia. His experiments on powder suspended in water resulted in a phenomenon known as the "Brownian Motion".

Agnes Broun was the mother of the poet Robert Burns and the name occurs frequently in Ayrshire. James Brown of Lochton was the provost (roughly the mayor) of Dundee in 1844-47.

George Brown of Edinburgh emigrated to Canada in 1843 and was influential in the purchase of the Northwest Territories by Canada.

The name Brown was adopted by a fair number of Highland clansmen when they wanted to get rid of their cumbersome (or at times politically incorrect) Gaelic names. John Brown, Queen Victoria's famous gillie may have been in this category. Additionally, it has been suggested by some researchers that at least some of Celtic origins may have been named after local judges who were called "brehons".

The Brown clan motto is "Floreat majestas" which means "Let majesty flourish".

Browns are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Lamont or MacMillan clans.

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Bruce

From Normandy in France, the name probably comes from "Brix" near Cherbourg. Like many of the early Scots nobility, the first Robert de Brus came over with William the Conqueror in 1066. A later Robert de Brus accompanied King David I when he returned to Scotland in 1124 from his sojourn in England. The family became established in Annandale in what is now Dumfries and Galloway. The family also owned extensive lands in England. As a result of marriage to the daughter of King David, Robert de Brus became Earl of Huntingdon.

At one point, when King David invaded England, Robert de Brus gave up his holdings in Annandale to his son and joined the English forces. He later captured his son at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Generations after that, Robert the Bruce, Earl of Annandale, became ruler of an independent Scotland and achieved the great victory at Bannockburn over Edward II in 1314.

The royal line died out 50 years later when the first Stewart monarch ascended the throne as a result of his descent from Bruce's daughter, Marjory. But the Bruces were granted land in Fife and continued as a noble family. In 1633 Thomas Bruce was created the first Earl of Elgin. It was the 7th Earl of Elgin who rescued the marbles of the Parthenon in Greece, now in the British Museum and known as the Elgin Marbles. His son was an eminent diplomat and became Governor General of Canada.

The Bruce clan motto is "Fuimus" which means "We have been".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Bruce clan include Carlyle, Randolf and Stenhouse.

Bruce was the 73rd most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Buchanan

The early origin of this family is said to be a son of the king of Ulster who landed in Argyll around 1016 and was rewarded with land on the east side of Loch Lomond by King Malcolm II, for service in fighting Nordic invaders. The area was known as "Buth chanain", Gaelic for "house of the canon" and may have been connected with the ancient Celtic Church. The land was to remain in the possession of Buchanans until 1682 when the 22nd laird of Buchanan died and the estates had to be sold to repay debts. The mansion house of Buchanan is now owned by the Graham Dukes of Montrose.

The clan flourished after supporting Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence at the start of the 14th century.

In the 15th century, Sir Alexander Buchanan was amongst the 7,000 Scots who fought in France against King Henry IV of England, distinguishing himself at Agincourt and Beauge. In the latter battle in Normandy in 1421, he killed the Duke of Clarence and captured his ducal cap - which is now represented in the clan coat of arms.

The clan chief fell at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and the clan were involved in the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 and Langside in 1568.

In the 16th century George Buchanan, born in Killearn in Stirlingshire in 1506, travelled widely abroad and had a career as a writer, poet, humanist and Protestant reformer. He was a tutor to Mary Queen of Scots and later to her son, King James VI. He is credited with providing the foundation of the monarch's undoubted academic success.

Andrew Buchanan was the Lord Provost of Glasgow at the time of the 1745 Jacobite Uprising and refused to asist the forces of the Young Pretender when he arrived in the city. A later Buchanan tobacco baron in Glasgow gave his name to Buchanan Street, which is now one of the city's fashionable shopping areas.

James Buchanan (1791-1868) was the 15th president of the USA. His ancestors had moved to Ulster and Donegal before emigrating to the US.

The Buchanan clan motto is "Clarior hinc honos" which means "Brighter, hence the honour".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Buchanan clan include Colman, Cormack, Cousland, Donleavy, Donlevy, Dove, Dow, Dowe, Gibb, Gilbert, Gilbertson, Harper, Lennie, Lenny, MacAslan, MacAuselan, MacAuslan, MacAusland, MacAuslane, McCalman, MacCalmont, MacChruiter, MacColman, MacCormack, MacCubbin, MacDonleavy, MacGilbert,MacInally, MacIndoe, MacKinlay, MacMaster, MacMaurice, MacMurchie, MacWattie, MacWhirter, Masterson, Morris, Murchie, Murchison, Richardson, Risk, Rusk, Ruskin, Spittal, Watt, Yuill, Yule.

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Burns

The surname of Burns comes from "Burnhouse" a dwelling near a burn or a stream. Although "burn" is a common word in Scotland for a stream, the word originated in Old English. The singular form "Burn" is found in Dumfries and Galloway in the 13th and 14th century.

The poet Robert Burns' father came from Kincardineshire on the east coast of Scotland and spelt his name Burness. Robert and his brother adopted the spelling "Burns" a form which first appeared in written records only in the 17th century.
The illustration of Robert Burns above is from a commemmorative Scottish Banknote.

Burns is regarded as a sept of clan Campbell.

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Cameron

The name is thought to be derived the Gaelic "cam-shron" meaning "crooked nose" but the earliest records show the name as "Cambron" which may indicate that it originated in Camberone (from the Gaelic "cam brun" meaning "crooked hill" - now Cameron parish) in Fife. However, there is also a Cameron placename in the outskirts of Edinburgh and in Lennox. To add to the confusion, there is a Cambron in Flanders and the Cameron coat of arms differ only in colouring from those of the family of Oudenarde, nobles in Flanders.

There is a record of a John Cameron in the Carse of Gowrie (on the other side of the river Tay from Fife) and Hugh Cambrun was sheriff of Forfar and John Cambron was sheriff of Perth. A hundred years later the name appeared in Lochaber in the far west.

Often described as "fiercer than fierceness itself" the Camerons originally consisted of three branches in Lochaber - McMartins of Letterfinlay, McGillonies of Strone and McSorlies of Glen Nevis. The first chief of the combined families was Donald Dubh (born around 1400) who was descended from the McGillonies of Strone but through marriage with the McMartins brought the federation together. Donald Dubh and his successors were known as captains of Clan Cameron until the early 16th century when the lands of Lochiel were united by charter into the barony of Lochiel by Allan Cameron, the 12th chief.

The clan assisted Donald, Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. A chief of the clan, Ewen of Lochiel, was born in 1629 and was a supporter of King Charles II. He was knighted in 1682 and fought at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. Oddly, there were Camerons fighting on the other side - Camerons from Fife who supported the Protestant cause.

Ewen of Lochiel was too old to fight in the 1715 Jacobite Uprising but sent his son and the clan to assist the Earl of Mar. Sir Ewen's grandson was known as "the gentle Lochiel" and is regarded as one of the noblest of all the Highland chiefs. He was persuaded, through loyalty to the crown and the persuasive words of Prince Charles Edward Stewart, to support the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. It is said that if Cameron of Lochiel had not agreed to participate, the rising might never have got off the ground, such was his influence. During the Jacobite retreat, Lochiel prevented the Highlanders from sacking Glasgow and to this day when Cameron of Lochiel enters the city, the bells of the churches are rung in his honour. The Gentle Lochiel survived Culloden and was exiled to France. Following the General Act of Amnesty of 1784 the Cameron lands were restored and Gentle Lochiel's grandson, Donald, became the 22nd chief.

In 1793 Allan Cameron maintained the fighting tradition of the clan by raising the 79th Regiment which, in 1881, became the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. The 25th chief, who died in 1905, was a Member of Parliament and his son raised four new battalions of the Cameron Highlanders on the outbreak of the First World War.

Cameron was the 35th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The motto of the Camerons is "Aonaibh ri chéile" ("Unite"). Septs (sub-branch) of the clan Cameron include Clark, Clarke, Clerk, Clarkson, Macolonie, MacChlery, MacGillonie, MacKail, MacLerie, MacMartin, MacSorley, Martin, Paul and Sorley.

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Campbell

The name is said to derive from two Gaelic words, "cam" meaning twisted and "beul" meaning mouth, these features traditionally belonging to Gillespie O Duithne who lived early in the 13th century. Some historians suggest that the most likely origin of the family is Flemish, coming over with William the Conqueror in 1066. Ancestors of the Campbells used the Flemish name Erkinbald (Archibald in Scotland). Others say that the line goes back to the Britons of Strathclyde. A former name for the Campbells was "Clann O'Dhuine" and Duine's son was Diarmid and so the name "Clan Diarmid" is also used. There are a number of main branches of Campbell - Argyll, Breadalbane and Cawdor.

The first Campbell in written records is Gillespie Campbell in 1263 although it would appear that the clan had been established in Argyll at an earlier date. Archibald Campbell obtained the Lordship of Lochow when he married the King's Treasurer and Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, knighted in 1280, founded the Campbells of Argyll. Sir Colin was killed in a skirmish with the MacDonald Lords of the Isles and a cairn still marks the spot where he fell. From him, the title "MacCailean Mor" or "Son of Great Colin" has been carried by the clan chief to this day.

Sir Neil Campbell supported Robert the Bruce and was rewarded with lands forfeited by the Macdougals. Sir Neil also married King Robert's sister and their son, John, was created Earl of Atholl. Another Colin Campbell was made Earl of Argyll in 1457 and his son, Archibald, who was Lord High Chancellor, was killed at Battle of Flodden in 1513.

The fifth earl commanded Mary Queen of Scots' army at the Battle of Langside in 1568, while his brother supported the opposition. Archibald, the 10th Earl was a close supporter of William of Orange and was rewarded with the title of Duke of Argyll and Marquess of Lorne and Kintyre in 1703.

The Campbells are still remembered for the massacre of 38 MacDonalds in Glencoe on 12 February 1692, in an act of treachery. The government troops who carried out the orders were led by a Captain Robert Campbell but the orders were signed by the Secretary of State, Sir John Dalrymple, Earl of Stair.

Campbells were noted as staunch supporters of the government both in the early years when they opposed the MacDonald Lordship of the Isles and later opposed the Jacobite Uprisings. They were well rewarded for their loyalty - and also married shrewdly to extend their lands and power. By the 19th century they owned 40 estates covering almost 1.25 million acres, most of it owned by the Duke of Argyll. Castles with Campbell connections are Dunstaffnage near Oban, Cawdor near Inverness and Inverary in Argyll (the latter is the seat of the current clan chief).

Campbell was the 8th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The Campbell motto is "Ne obliviscaris" ("Do not forget).

A number of other clans/families are septs (sub-branches) of the Campbells, including Burns/Burnes, Caddell, Hastings, Hawes/Haws/Hawson, Lorne, Loudon, MacConnechy, MacDermid/MacDiarmid, McIsaac, MacIver/MacIvor, MacKellar, MacKelvie, MacLehose, MacOwen, MacPhedran, MacTavish, MacUre, Pinkerton and Ure.

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Chisholm

The name Chisholm is from a Norman French word "chese" meaning "to choose" and the Saxon word "holm" meaning "meadow. They became established first in the county of Roxburgh in the Border area of Scotland and the earliest record of the name is John de Chesehelme who is mentioned in a letter from Pope Alexander IV in 1254. John de Chesolm from Berwick and Richard de Chesolm from Roxburgh both signed the Ragman Rolls of King Edward I in 1296 and were two of 2,000 landowners and clergy to do so. The seal used by Richard shows the head of a boar which is part of the family coat of arms to this day. A number of other Border families also have a boar's head in their arms (Gordons, Elphinstones, Nisbets, Hoggs, Swintons) and may be descended from the Anglo-Saxon rulers of Bernicia in Northunbria.

According to legend, two Chesolm brothers saved the life of one of the Scottish kings in the 14th century and were granted land in Inverness-shire. Certainly, Sir Robert Chisholm was appointed constable of Urquhart Castle in 1359 but that was in succession to his maternal grandfather. His younger son remained as chief of the Chisholms in the Borders. A son of the Borders line established the Chisholms of Cromlix in Perthshire.

Alexander, Sir Robert Chisholm's eldest son, married Mary of Erchless and Comar. Erchless Castle became the seat of the Chisholm's and remained so for 500 years until the early 19th century.

Following the church Reformation in the 16th century, the Chisholms remained firmly Catholic and indeed the Perthshire Chisholms supplied three successive Bishops of Dunblane. When the Spanish Armada sailed to attack England in 1588, there were concerns about plots against Scotland and Sir James Chisholm of Cromlix was summoned to appear before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Although no charges were brought, Sir James was later denounced in 1592 for "treason against the true Religion".

In the following century the clan chiefs became Protestant, although tolerant of the Catholic faith amongst their followers. Despite their religious conversion, the Chisholms rose in support of the Catholic "Old Pretender" in the Jacobite Uprising of 1715. They rose again in 1745 and 30 were killed at Culloden, including one of the chief's sons. After the defeat, Bonnie Prince Charlie trusted his life to eight of his followers, of whom three were Chisholms. When the Prince left from the west coast towards the Hebrides and exile, Hugh Chisholm shook hands in farewell. He vowed never to shake hands again and is said to have kept his vow to his death at a ripe old age.

After the 1745 Uprising, many clansmen emigrated, some voluntarily, others helped by periods of increased rents and forced clearances. In 1887 the chieftainship passed via an heiress to a James Gooden-Chisholm in Surrey. However, descendants adopted the Chisholm name and are now among those who form the Council of Scottish Clan Chiefs. The clan chief is referred to as "The Chisholm".

The Border Chisholms continued as a landed family until the end of the 19th century. The Cromlix lands passed to the Drummonds through marriage before 1600.

The Chisholm clan motto is "Feros ferio" which means "I am fierce with the fierce".

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I will be back to do the rest but if you are interested to know where I get this from take a look here

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The term "clericus" was originally applied to someone in a religious order but it was later applied to anyone who was a secretary, scribe, scholar as well as a cleric in the church. It is therefore not surprising that this occupational name became widespread when surnames began to be used. At the end of the 12th century, a Roger clericus held land in Kelso and in 1249 Alan clericus was a witness to a charter in Aberdeen. There were nine people from Scotland with that name who signed the "Ragman Roll" when King Edward I of England demanded in 1296 that all landowners had to swear allegiance to him. However, it is only after 1400 that we can be certain that it was being used as a surname rather than as a description of someone's occupation or status.

There was never a Highland clan of that name. However, it is frequently found among the Clan Chattan confederacy. Clarks appear to have been a sept (under the protection) of the MacPhersons (whose origins were also from the church, "Mac-a Phearsain" meaning in Gaelic "son of the parson" in the days when celibacy of the priesthood was not enforced).

The name is common throughout the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. It is particularly prevalent in Caithness and there were important families of Clarks in places as far apart as Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Paisley and some have become landed families with baronetcies.

Two unrelated Clarks reached high office in the Swedish navy in the 17th century and the name is found in Sweden and Finland in the form Klerck. The American explorer George Rogers Clark (1752-1818) was of Scottish descent.

The tartan used by the Clerks is a variation of one called "Blue Clergy" which was worn by ministers, though it dates from the re-invention of tartan after the visit (orchestrated by Sir Walter Scott) of King George IV to Scotland in 1822.

Clark is currently the 14th most frequently found name in Scotland. The name is also common in England where it is often spelt Clarke.

Clark is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of both Cameron and Macpherson.

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Colquhoun Clan History

This name comes from the Gaelic place name "cuil cumhann" meaning "narrow corner". The location of Colquhoun (pronounced "ca-hoon" with the accent on the second syllable) is on the western shores of Loch Lomond. Umfphredus de Kilpatrick was granted the lands by the Earl of Lennox in the 13th century, during the reign of King Alexander II. He adopted the surname from the name of the area. Initially, he lived at Dunglas castle, which was not far from the royal Dumbarton Castle. Later, the Colquhouns became the keepers of that castle.The chiefs obtained lands at Luss (the village is pictured here) through marriage in the 14th century. In the 15th century, Sir John Colquhoun became Comptroller of the Royal Household and expanded the estates to include the forests of Rossdhu and Glenmachome, plus the estates of Kilmardinny. Sir John was one of those who negotiated at the court of King Edward IV of England, trying to arrange the marriage of the young King James IV and Edward's daughter. While this was not successful, it was the later marriage of James IV to Margaret Tudor which led eventually to the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

In the 16th century, a Colquhoun emigrated to Sweden and began a cannon making factory. Names such as Cahun, Caun, Gahn and Kharun can still be found in Sweden.The Colquhouns were attacked by the Highland clans on a number of occasions. In 1602, following a raid on his property by the MacGregors, Alexander Colquhoun of Luss was given a royal commission to pursue the clan. In 1603, Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae led around 400 men from Loch Long into the head of Glen Fruin. The chief of the Colquhouns, with 500 men and 300 horse, advanced up the glen to meet the attack. The MacGregors split their forces into two and while one half began the battle, the other half swung through the hills and attacked the Colquhouns from the rear. They were driven into a peat bog (where their cavalry were useless) and suffered heavy losses. It was following this incident that the MacGregor name was proscribed (banned). It was not until the end of the 18th century that the chiefs of the two clans brought their enmity to an end by shaking hands on the site of the battle in Glen Fruin.

The 11th Laird of Luss was made a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1625. But a few years later he was accused of seducing his wife's sister by means of witchcraft and became a fugitive. The estates were forfeited but recovered by his son.

The 5th Baronet of Luss was a member of the Scottish Parliament at the time of the Act of Union and vigorously opposed it.

Through marriage, James Grant of Pluscardine succeeded to the estates. His fourth son, Sir James Grant Colquhoun, succeeded to the estates and built a mansion at Rossdhu which was the seat of the chiefs until recently. The crest shown here is from the gates at the former enrance to the estate.

In the USA the name is often found as Calhoun (there was a vice-president of the USA of that name). Cohen is another form of the name.

A Colquhoun clan centre has been opened in Luss, on the banks of Loch Lomond.

The Colquhoun clan motto is "Si je puis" which means "If I can".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Colquhoun clan include Cowan, Ingram, King, MacCowan and MacManus.

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A "craig" in Scots is a cliff or an outcrop of rock (Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde being a prime example). It followed that someone with the name Craig came from a place with that name or perhaps just a well-known crag of rock. The name is thus found across Scotland and was never identified with one specific area.

Landowners whose name was the same as the area they came from, were sometimes described as being "of that Ilk" - of the same name. Usually that title is applicable to only one person but in the 15th century were three "Craigs of that Ilk" in different parts of Scotland.

Johannes de Crag, a burgess of Aberdeen, held land at Rubislaw and his family and heirs occupied Craigston Castle at Kildrummy for over 250 years.

Richarde de Crag was the vicar at St Mary's in Dundee in the 1550s and John Craig at St Andrews University was imprisoned during the early stages of the Reformation for adopting Protestantism. He was sentenced to death but escaped and joined John Knox and survived to see the Reformation triumph.

Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton was a renowned writer on feudal law and his work "Jus Feudale" published in 1655 is still used by Scottish lawyers. Sir Thomas was admired by King James VI and was one of the Scots invited to attend the coronation of King James as king of England in Westminster Abbey in 1603.

The winner of the design for Edinburgh's New Town in 1766 was James Craig. Although his plans were modified, it is thanks to him that Edinburgh's 18th century Georgian architecture can be seen in all its splendour.

Sir James Craig took his family and followers to Ulster in 1610 during what was known as the "Plantations". A descendant, another James Craig, was a millionaire Irish whiskey distiller who organised the Ulster Volunteer Force against Home Rule for Ireland in the 1920s. He then became the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. He later became Viscount Craigavaon and the new town of Craigavon in County Armagh was named after him.

The Craig clan motto is "Vive Deo et Vives" which means "Live for God and you shall have life".

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The youngest son of the 4th Earl of Richmond (who was descended from the Duke of Brittany) was granted lands in the Barony of Craufurd (from "crow ford") in Lanarkshire in the 12th century by King David I and the family took the surname from the placename. In 1127 Sir Gregan Crawford was involved in the legendary incident when King David was saved from a stag (and founded the Abbey of Holyrood as a result).

In 1296 Sir Reginald Crawford was appointed sheriff of Ayr. His sister married Wallace of Elderslie and thus became the mother of William Wallace the great Scottish patriot. Needless to say, the Crawfords rallied to his cause.

The main branches of the family were Crawford of Auchinames (in Renfrewshire) who received a grant of land from Robert the BruceRobert the Bruce and Craufurd of Craufurdland (in upper Clydesdale). Sir William Craufurd of Craufurdland was a brave soldier who was knighted by King James I and fought for King Charles VII of France. The castle at Craufurdland was much extended in the 17th century. The castle passed to the Howiesons in 1793 and was restored in the 1980s.

Other lines of Crawfords began in the reign of James III when descendants of Archibald Craufurd created the families of Auchenairn, Beanscroft and Powmill. Archibald's son John was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

In the 16th century, Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill was a member of the household of Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots. During those turbulent times he captured Dumbarton Castle in 1571 with 150 men by scaling the supposedly impregnable rock and later received the surrender of Edinburgh Castle.

Lawrence Crawford (1611-45) fought for Gustavus Adolphus in the Thirty Years War and returned to Britain to fight for the Parliamentary forces against King Charles I.

The Crawford clan motto is "Tutum te robore reddam" which means "I will give you safety by strength".

Crawford was the 75th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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The name almost certainly was derived from the town of Comines in northern France and came over after the Norman invasion. However, some experts suggest that the name came from a herb "cummin" which was spelt "comyn" in early times.

There were Comyns in eastern England in the 12th and 13th centuries and Wilhelmus Comyn, Bishop of Durham came north to Scotland with King David I in 1124 and was appointed Chancellor of Scotland. He established his nephew Richard in Tynedale and Roxburghshire and Richard also rose to be Chancellor of Scotland. It is from him that the titled line was descended. Richard married a grand-daughter and heiress of King Donald III. As a result of this royal blood, there was even a claim by the Comyns to the throne at a later stage. But that was not to be.

Richard's son, William, then married the heiress of the last Celtic Earl of Buchan, inheriting the earldom. The family rose to be one of the most powerful in Scotland, with land in Buchan and Speyside. William's son became Constable of Scotland while later Comyns became Earl of Mentieth and another the Earl of Angus. In all, the Comyns held 13 Scottish earldoms in the 13th century.

Hervy de Cunningham from Kilmaurs fought with King Alexander III at the Battle of Largs in 1263 in which the Viking invasion of mainland Scotland was repulsed. Later, following the death of King Alexander III in 1286 and the minority of his grand-daughter and successor, Queen Margaret (the "Maid of Norway"), John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan were two of the six "Guardians of the Realm".

Claimants for the Throne
Following the death of Margaret in 1290, John Comyn's son (also named John but often referred to as "Black Comyn") was one of the six competitors for the throne as a descendant of Donald III. The other claimants included John Balliol and Robert Bruce the elder (known as "The Great Competitor"). They were descended from Donald's elder brother, King Malcolm III and so technically had better claims.

When King Edward I of England offered to "adjudicate", he selected John Balliol (believing that he could dominate him more easily). The Black Comyn (and Robert the Bruce's grandfather) acknowledged Balliol as king. In a move designed to strengthen the claim on the throne, John's son (also named John but usually referred to as "Red Comyn") married Balliol's sister.

Eventually, Balliol rebelled and Edward came north. At this time, Bruce was one of those who rendered homage to Edward and Balliol seized the Bruce lands and gave them to Red Comyn (his nephew). Edward defeated the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar and marched across Scotland and removed such precious items as the Stone of Destiny and the Scottish crown. He humiliated Balliol by removing his royal insignia. He then demanded that all the Scottish landowners should sign an oath of allegiance to him - a document which became known as the "Ragman Rolls". There were nine Comyns of sufficient stature to sign the document (along with another 2,000 signatories).

Murder
Many of the nobles did not give much support to the efforts of William Wallace to remove the English domination of Scotland but Red Comyn was one who did. As a Guardian of Scotland (1298-1301 and 1302-1304) he often quarreled with the other nobles - in 1299 he was seen to seize the Earl of Carrick (later Robert I) by the throat. At the Battle of Roslin in 1303, an invading English army led by Sir John Segrave was defeated by Red Comyn. Following the death of Wallace, Bruce and Red Comyn appeared to be moving to an alliance to rise up against Edward. The two met at Greyfriar's Kirk, Dumfries on 10 February 1306. We don't know the details of what happened but during the meeting but Robert the Bruce stabbed Red Comyn. Comyn (and his uncle who was also present) were killed and the following month King Robert I ("The Bruce") was crowned at Scone.

Despite the principles of chivalry which prevailed at that time, murder of one noble by another was not unusual in those days. Even so, because it had taken place in a church, Robert the Bruce was excommunicated (at least for a while) by the Pope for his crime. Bruce ruthlessly raided the Buchan lands and destroyed the Comyn family there. When Red Comyn's only son died at the Battle of Bannockburn (fighting for the English) the hereditary office of Constable of Scotland and the castle of Slains were given to the Hays of Errol (who were distantly related).

Later Years
The Cummings of Altyre, descended from a brother of the Black Comyn, became established in Moray and were frequently in conflict with the Clan Chattan (particularly over the ownership of Rait castle). Robert, the 13th Chief of Altyre married a Gordon heiress, thus bringing the Gordonstoun land into the family. Later generations adopted the name Gordon-Cumming, the name of the present chief.

Clan Motto
The Cumming/Comyn clan motto is "Courage".

Septs
Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Cumming/Comyn clan include Comine, Cumin, MacNiven, Niven and Russell. Cumming is the form of the name found mainly in Scotland while Cummings is the version more frequently used in England.

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his name is from an area in Ayrshire which in turn got its name from "cuinneag" meaning "milk pail" along with the Saxon "ham" meaning "village".

In the 12th century, the lands of Kilmaurs in Ayrshire were granted to a Norman named Warnebald. His descendants took the territorial name Cunningham and Harvey de Cunningham is reputed to have fought for Alexander III at the Battle of Largs against the Vikings in 1263.

The Cunninghams gave support to Robert the Bruce and received additional lands as a result. King James III created Sir William Cunningham as Lord Kilmaurs in 1462 and earl of Glencairn in 1488. But the first Earl was killed (along with his king) a few months later at the Battle of Sauchieburn when James was attempting to subdue some rebellious barons.

Alexander, the fourth Earl of Glencairn was a friend of the protestant radical John Knox and may have been responsible for vandalising the chapel at Holyrood after Mary Queen of Scots defeat at the Battle of Langside in 1568. During this time there was a feud between the Cunninghams of Glencairn and the Montgomery earls of Eglinton. The 4th Earl of Eglinton was later murdered by the Cunninghams in 1586.

The 8th Earl of Glencairn led an uprising in support of Charles II in 1653 and against General Monck, who was Governor of Scotland. He was captured but managed to stay alive until the Restoration in 1660 when Charles II appointed him Lord Chancellor. The title of Earl of Glencairn is now extinct.

The 14th Earl was a patron of Robert Burns (Burns named his fourth son James Glencairn Burns) and the poet wrote a lament on the Earl's death.

"The mother may forget the child
That smiles sae sweetly on her knee;
But I'll remember thee, Glencairn,
And a' that thou hast done for me."

Legend has it that the Cunningham motto "Over fork over" originated from an occasion when a Cunningham sheltered King Malcolm III and covered him with hay. The more likely explanation is that a Cunningham was a master of the King's Stables.

The name spread to many parts of Scotland (with many variations in spelling) and it was the 78th frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Unlike many Highland clan names which begin with the Gaelic 'mac' meaning 'son of', the son of David took the non-Gaelic form and became Davidson. There are a number of different Davidson lines but the most significant was from Badenoch. They may have been a branch of the Comyns (Cummings) who were defeated by Robert the Bruce and became known as Clan Dhai when the Comyn name was prescribed around 1320. They became attached to the Clan Chattan confederation and David Dubh of Invernahaven, the first known bearer of the Highland line of Davidsons, married a daughter of the 6th chief of the Mackintosh clan.

The Davidsons became quite powerful but they became involved in various feuds, particularly with the MacPhersons (another part of Clan Chattan), following a dispute in 1370 over who should lead the right wing in a battle between the Clan Chattan and the Camerons. The MacPhersons withdrew and the Davidsons suffered heavy casualties. The Davidsons are said to have formed a part of the Clan Chattan force which fought in the famous "Battle of the Clans" at Perth in 1396. This was staged in front of King Robert III. As a result of these two battles, the Davidsons lost many men and declined in power and became scattered.

The chieftainship of the clan was held by a Davidson from Tulloch for many years, possibly after the chief moved north after the Battle of the Clans. There were Davidsons in Tulloch, Ross-shire through to the early part of the 20th century. Tulloch Castle was the seat of the Davidson chief for many years.

There were Davidsons of Cantray, Inverness and Davidsons of Inchmarlo, Deeside. The Davidsons in Aberdeen can be traced back to the late 14th century when Robert Davidson was Provost of the city - he was killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.

In the south, probably unconnected to those in the Highlands, there were Davidsons in Ayrshire, Roxburghshire, Midlothian and Edinburgh. In the early 1600s, Queen Elizabeth I had a secretary named Davidson "whose grandfather was out of the North" and in the reign of Charles II, the Scots Commercial Representative at Veere in Holland was Sir William Davidson from Dundee.

The Davidson clan motto is "Sapienter si sincere" which means "Wisely if sincerely".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Davidson clan include Davie, Davis, Davison, Dawson, Day, Dean, Dow, Kay, McDade, McDaid, MacDavid.

Davidson was the 24th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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The name is said to be derived from the Gaelic "dubh glais" meaning "dark water" but the origins of the line are lost in time. It is thought that a Flemish nobleman may have accompanied King David I on his return from England but the first documented Douglas was a William de Douglas in the 12th century in Morayshire. In time, four main branches of the family evolved -

The "Black" Douglases of Douglasdale in south Lanarkshire
The "Red" Douglases of Angus and Fife
The Douglas earls of Morton in Dumfriesshire and
A branch in Drumlanrig in Nithsdale in the Scottish Borders who became the marquesses of Queensberry.

The first Douglas to stride across the stage of Scottish history was Sir William Douglas who fought and died for William Wallace. His son, Sir James Douglas was a supporter and lifelong friend of Robert the Bruce. "Good Sir James" died taking Bruce's heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. The 2nd Earl of Douglas died at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 as his army defeated an English force led by Prince Henry "Hotspur". In 1402 the 4th Earl was defeated by the same Henry Hotspur at the Battle of Homildon Hill.

The Douglas family grew in power and by the 15th century they were seen as a threat to the monarch. The 6th Earl Douglas and his brother was invited to the infamous "Black Dinner" at Edinburgh Castle with the 10-year-old King James II. They were seized and beheaded. The 8th Earl suffered the same fate in 1452, this time at the hands of King James II himself.

William, the 11th Earl of Angus became 1st Marquess of Douglas and was a supporter of King Charles I during the Civil War. A number of Douglas titles later devolved to the Dukes of Hamilton and the eldest son of the Duke is now given the title of Marquess of Douglas.

The Douglas clan motto is "Jamais arrière" which means "Never behind".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Douglas clan include Drysdale, Lockerbie and Morton.

Douglas was the 89th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995

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The name comes from the old barony of Dunbar, now in East Lothian. The name Dunbar itself comes from the Gaelic "dun" meaning "fort and "barr" meaning "summit". The lands were granted by King Malcolm III to the Earl Gospatric who had lived further south in Northumberland in the 11th century but had been forced to flee by William the Conqueror. Earl Gospatric in turn was descended from Crinan, the thane of Dunkeld whose grandfather was probably Duncan, lay-abbot of Dunkeld who died in 965.

Patrick of Dunbar married a daughter of King William the Lion in 1184. A later Patrick "Black Beard", 8th Earl of Dunbar, was one of those who competed for the crown of Scotland in 1291 when King Edward I of England volunteered to mediate in the argument. Later, the 9th Earl of Dunbar sheltered King Edward II at Dunbar after the flight of the English king from the field of Bannockburn in 1314.

During the 14th century, the 10th Earl enlarged his estates and became one of the most important nobles in Scotland. He accompanied the Earl of Douglas in his raids into England and fought at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 in which the Scots defeated Henry Percy, (Hotspur) but with the loss of the Earl of Douglas. But he fell out with the Douglas family when they disrupted his plans for his daughter to marry the son of King Robert III.

In the early 15th century, the 11th Earl of Dunbar became so powerful that he became perceived as a threat to King James I and he was imprisoned on a trumped up charge of treason so that the king could take over the large Dunbar estates. The last Earl died in exile in England in 1455.

In 1368 the Dunbars obtained lands of Glenkens and Mochrum in Dumfries and Galloway and the Dunbars also appear in Caithness around the middle of the 15th century, descended from the Dunbars of Westfield in that county. The present chief of the Dunbars is from the Mochrum line.

There have been a number of other Dunbars who have walked across the pages of Scottish history. In 1337, Agnes, Countess of Dunbar, known as Black Agnes, conducted a sturdy defence of Dunbar Castle while her husband was absent. She was the daughter of King Robert the Bruce's friend, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. She calmly dusted the stones off the battlements with her 'kerchief whenever the besieging cannons of the Earls of Salisbury and Arundel crashed into the castle walls. The siege lasted 19 weeks and was eventually abandoned. In the 16th century, the Archbishoprics of both Glasgow and Aberdeen were both held by Gavin Dunbars from the Mochrum line. The Archbishop of Glasgow was a tutor of King James V and became his Lord Chancellor.

Perhaps the best known member of the family was William Dunbar (1460-1513) who was a court poet to King James IV. While much of his poetry was composed by royal command, he also managed to include advice to his monarch! His works were meant to be read out loud and Sir Richard Burton listed Dunbar's "Lament for the Makaris" as one of his three favourite poems. William Dunbar may have died at the Battle of Flodden with his king.

In 1694, Sir James Dunbar of Mochrum was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia and in his coat of arms he was allowed to use supporters "Imperially Crowned". The present line of Dunbar clan chiefs was established in a celebrated court case in 1990 which went all the way to the House of Lords.

The Dunbar clan motto is "In promptu" which means "In readiness".

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From the Gaelic words "donn" (brown) and "cath (warrior) the name Duncan was initially a forename and there were two Kings of Scotland with that name in the 11th century, Duncan I and Duncan II. The surnames Duncan and Robertson or Clann Donnachaidh have similar origins, being descended from the ancient earls of Atholl and took their name from Donnachaidh Reamhar who led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn (June 24, 1314). The Duncans owned lands in what is now the county of Angus but it is found over much of Central Scotland.

Adam Duncan from Dundee became a naval commander and defeated the Spanish at Cape St Vincent in 1780 and the Dutch fleet at Camperdown in 1797, one of the most famous victories of the British Navy for which he was created Viscount Duncan by George IV in 1800. The Rev Henry Duncan founded the first Savings Bank in 1810 in Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire.

Duncan was the 36th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The motto of the clan Duncan is "Disce pati" ("Learn to suffer").

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The name Dundas (the emphasis should be on the second syllable) is derived from a place name near Edinburgh which, in Gaelic was "dun deas" (south fort). The first record of the name is Helias de Dundas in the reign of William the Lion in 1200. He may have been a descendant of Gospatrick, earl of March. His descendants styled themselves as Dundas of that Ilk, signifying the head of a landed family and held their property until the 19th century.

In the reign of King James III, Sir Archibald Dundas was a favourite of the king and was sent on missions to England. James IV later gave a grant of lands to the Dundas family.

The main branches of the family can be found in Duddingston in Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Blair Castle, Arniston and in Fingask in Perthshire.

The 18th Laird of Dundas supported the cause of the Covenanters and was a member of the committee which tried the first Marquis of Montrose when he refused to support the extreme aspects of Presbyterianism. Sir James Dundas was knighted by King Charles I in 1641 and became a Member of Parliament. On the restoration of the monarchy (in 1660), he became a member of the supreme court, with the title Lord Arniston, in 1662. There were a number of further generations of Dundas (all confusingly named Robert) who became judges also.

William Dundas of Kincavel was a supporter of the Jacobites in 1715 and was afterwards imprisoned. The 23rd Laird joined the East India Company and died in a shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar in 1792.

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The name originated as Elwald or Elwold in Old English and there are many other variations on the spelling of this name which is strongly associated with the Scottish Borders and the reivers (raiders on horseback) of the area. But family tradition says that the Ellots (as it was spelt at that time) came from the foot of Glenshie in Angus. But in 1320 William de Soulis, a powerful Border noble, was convicted of treason. The Ellots were supporters of Robert the Bruce and they moved to Liddesdale to improve Bruce's hold on the area.

The Elliot form of the name was used by the family in Minto while the Eliott form was used by those in Stobo. And there were other variations - Robert Ellot of Redheugh was the 10th chief in 1476. The family built around 100 strong towers around Liddesdale and, like so many of the Scottish nobility, the 13th chief was killed at the Battle of Flodden along with King James IV in 1513. At times, the Ellots of Redheugh held Hermitage Castle, south of Hawick.

In 1565 a feud arose between the Ellots and the neighbouring Scott family. 300 Ellots rode to avenge the execution of one of their kinsman by Scott of Buccleuch and casualties on both sides were heavy before they came to terms. The Ellots also had a dispute with the Earl of Bothwell (future husband of Mary Queen of Scots) and a royal force of 4,000 men ravaged the Ellots lands.

After the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the Borders quietened down. Many in the Borders at this time emigrated to Ulster in what became known as "the Plantations". Sir Gilbert Eliott of Stobs became chief in 1673 and King Charles II created him a Baronet of Nova Scotia.

The poetess who wrote "The Flowers of the Forest" was an Elliot and the earl of Minto became Governor General of India in 1807. He became Earl of Minto and Viscount Melgund on his return. The 4th Earl became Viceroy of India in 1905.

The Eliott clan motto is "Fortiter et recte" which means "Boldly and rightly".

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Son of Fergus," but as the name is found in a number of places around Scotland, there were clearly a number of different people with the name Fergus. Traditionally, the Fergussons in the West Highlands are descended from Fergus Mor MacErc, a King of Dalriada, one of the first of the Scots from Ireland to settle in Argyll.

Those in the south-west of Scotland originated from Fergus, Lord of Galloway who lived in the 12th century. He founded Dundrennan Abbey. The song "Annie Laurie" is about the wife of Alexander Fergusson of Craigdarroch. The Fergussons of Craigdarroch are recorded in the reign of King David II (1329-1371).

Another line of Fergussons arose on the banks of the river Tummel at Glenshee and one of that family was tried for treason after the 1715 Jacobite Uprising. He must have been acquitted because he also took part in the 1745 Uprising. A Fergusson family was a neighbour of the MacGregors in Strathyre and Balquhidder. The Gaelic form of the name is MacFhearghuis and this sometimes became Mackerras/McKerras and MacHerries and even Ferrie/Ferris.

Robert Fergusson (1750-1774) achieved fame as a poet in his short life and Robert Burns acknowledged his debt to him by erecting a gravestone to him in Canongate churchyard in Edinburgh. Adam Ferguson (1723-1816) from Logierait is regarded as the "father of sociology" and Sir Charles Ferguson was Governor of New Zealand from 1924-1930. His son, Brigadier Sir Bernard Ferguson, was also Governor General of New Zealand, from 1962-1967.

The Fergusson motto is "Dulcius ex asperis" - literaly, "Sweeter after difficulties".

Fergusson/Ferguson is the 34th most frequent name recorded in 1995 at the General Register Office.

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The name is from the Gaelic term "forb-ais" means "at the land". Originally the name was pronounced as two syllables sounding like "For bays" but that is largely lost. Established in Aberdeenshire on the banks of the river Don, they had ben there long before being raised to a barony in 1271 by Alexander III. Duncan de Forboys paid homage in 1296 to John Balliol and John Forbes signed the "Ragman Roll" in 1296.

The main lines of Forbes were established in the 14th century. Sir John de Forbes of the Black Lip, justiciary in Aberdeenshire, had four sons - William the first of the Pitsligo line, John the ancestor of the Forbes of Polquhoun, Alistair of Brux who established the lines of Skellatar and Inverernan. Sir John's eldest son fought beside the Earl of Mar at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411 against Donald, Lord of the Isles and became Lord Forbes around 1445. Forbes eventually became the premier lordship of Scotland.

James, 2nd Lord Forbes had three sons, the two younger offspring establishing the Forbes of Corsindale and Monymusk and of Craigievar. The Forbes expanded their territory, at one time covering half of the earldom of Mar. However, over the years, there were feuds with the powerful Gordon clan and the Leslies, culminating in two battles and several massacres. Two Acts of the Scottish Parliament were required to force the factions to lay down their arms. King James VI confirmed the Forbes in their lands in 1582 but the cost of the struggles with the Gordons had created debts and much of the Forbes land had to be sold.

Robert Forbes, the episcopalian bishop of Ross and Caithness was arrested for being a Jacobite in 1745 but survived to write a three volume account of the Jacobite Uprising, entitled "The Lyon in Mourning." Involvement of the Forbes in the 1745 Uprising resulted in forfeiture of lands and title.

The first Baronet of Craigievar, Sir William, built the outstanding Craigievar Castle in 1626 and it is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Craigievar is said to be haunted by a member of the Gordon family who was murdered in the castle. Another of the Forbes, the Baron of Monymusk, now lives in New Zealand.

In 1815, the 17th Lord Forbes built Castle Forbes near Alford which is still the home of his descendants.

The Forbes clan motto is "Grace me guide."

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Forbes clan include Berry, Boyes, Michie, Walters.

Forbes was the 93rd most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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This ancient Scottish name may have been derived from a Gaelic first name "Fearsithe" which means "man (or place) of peace". But there is also a legend that it originated from "Forsach" a Norseman who settled in Aquitaine in France and thence as the Viscomte de Fronsoc to the English court and lands in Northumberland and then into the Borders of Scotland and Edinburgh. In current usage, the name "Forsyth" in Scotland has the stress on the second syllable.

Osbert, son of Robert de Forsyth was granted land in Sauchie from King Robert the Bruce on 1306 and after giving a good account of himself at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, he received confirmation of his land-holding under the royal seal. Osbert's son became the king's "macer" and constable of Stirling Castle in 1368 and the family became established in the town and held many civic posts over the generations.

David Forsyth, who lived in Lanarkshire, obtained lands there before 1488 and claimed that his ancestors were the Norman de Fronsoc and had heraldry similar to de Fronsoc. Forsyth castle near Dykes in Lanarkshire survived to the early 19th century. Other branches of the family settled Monkland at Inchnoch castle and spread to Ayrshire as well as around Glasgow.

A William Forsyth was a baillie in Edinburgh around 1365. His son moved to St Andrews and acquired the barony of Nydie. The fourth baron perished at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 but his grandson married a great-granddaughter of James III. He acquired lands around Falkland Palace and became king's macer and Puirsavant at the palace. The present chief of the Forsyths is descended from this line.

There was also a branch of the Forsyths at Monymusk in Aberdeenshire. In the 18th century, the Reverend Alexander Forsyth from Aberdeenshire invented the percussion cap which replaced the flint lock. He turned down an offer of 20,000 pounds from Napoleon for the secret. The invention was adopted by the British army without his knowledge and the government tardily allocated him a modest pension; the first (and last) installment was received on the day of his death.

Forsythia William Forsyth from Old Meldrum became a distinguished horticulturist and was appointed Chief Superintendent of the Royal Gardens at Kensington and St James' Palace in 1784. In 1802 he published a "Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees" which became a best-seller in its day. He is best remembered now for the family of plants known as "Forsythia".

The current chief restored Ethie Castle near Arbroath, but this has now been sold.

The Forsyth clan motto is "Instaurator ruinae" which means "A repairer of ruin".

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The name Fraser originated in Anjou in France (originally de Frisselle, de Freselière or de Fresel). They settled first in Tweedale and Lothian, the name becoming Fraissier (strawberry bearer) with the flower of the fraisse or strawberry as part of their armorial bearings. The earliest record of the name in Scotland is Sir Simon Frasee (sic) who held lands of Keith in East Lothian. A later member of the family was Sir Simon, "The Scottish Patriot" who was a supporter of William Wallace and defeated an English army at Roslin. Later, Sir Alexander Fraser married the sister of King Robert the Bruce and another Fraser founded the town of Fraserburgh. In 1375, a marriage to the daughter of the earl of Ross gave them lands in Buchan which became the main seat of the family.

The Lovat Frasers appear in the 15th century around Beauly. In 1544 the Lovat Frasers fought the "Battle of the Shirts" on the shores of Loch Lochy against the MacDonalds of Moidart - only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds survived.

Simon, the 11th Lord Lovat, was executed at Tower Hill in London in 1747 after participating in the Jacobite Uprising. In 1757 the 12th Lord Lovat raised 1,800 Frasers Highlanders for military service in America. Simon Christopher the 15th Lord Lovat served in the Scots Guards and was an outstanding Commando leader in World War II.

Fraser is the 23rd most common name in Scotland - but is one of the 6th most common around Inverness.

The motto of the clan is "All my hope is god".

Septs (sub-branches) of the Frasers include Bissett / Mackim / Simon / Brewster / Mackimmie / Simpson / Cowie / Macsimon / Sims / Frew / Mactavish / Syme/ Frizell / Oliver / Twaddle Macgruer / Sim / Tweedie.

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Although this is one of the great families of Northeast Scotland, the name originally came from a location in Berwickshire (probably 'gor-dun' meaning hill fort). The name appears in the Borders in the reigns of King Malcolm IV and King William the Lion in the 12th century. Sir Adam de Gordon was appointed to the lordship of Strathbogie and Badenoch in the North-East of the country by Robert the Bruce, in place of the Comyns, who had opposed him. Sir Adam had been one of those who petitioned the Pope to remove the excommunication of Bruce after he murdered John Comyn in 1306.

The Gordons were major landowners, rather than a traditional tribal clan but became known as the "Cock o' the North". The 1st Earl of Huntly is said to have rewarded anyone who adopted the name Gordon with a gift of oatmeal. In the 15th century, Sir Alexander Gordon was created Lord Gordon and his son the first Earl of Huntly (a name which had also originated in the Borders). In the power struggle between King James II and the Douglas family, the Douglases burned down Huntly Castle but were later defeated. A grander castle was built in its place.

The 4th Earl of Huntly was an adviser to Mary of Guise when she was regent in place of the absent Mary Queen of Scots. Gordons remained staunch Catholics and supporters of King Charles II in the Civil War of 1642-1648, but they refused to support the Marquis of Montrose.

The 2nd Duke of Gordon supported the "Old Pretender" in the first Jacobite Uprising in 1715 and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir on September 12, 1715. His son, the 3rd Duke, remained loyal to the Hanoverian government in the 1745 Uprising but his brother fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie.

The Gordon clan motto is "Bydand" which means "Remaining".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Gordon clan include Addison, Adie, Aitcheson, Aitken, Barrie, Cullen, Eadie, Edie, Geddes, Huntly, Mavor, Milne, Todd.

Gordon was the 50th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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There is a legend that the Roman Antonine Wall across Scotland was first breached by a Graham and due to this it is sometimes referred to as "Graeme's Dyke". More certainly, the Grahams can be traced back to the 12th century when William de Graham was granted lands of Abercorn and Dalkeith by King David I. The name may have derived from the English town of Grantham which was spelt Graham in the Domesday Book. The Grahams had numerous branches in Menteith, Drymen, Angus and the Borders.
Sir John Graham of Dundaff was described as the "richt hand" of William Wallace and was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 (His gravestone and effigy can still be found in Falkirk Old Parish Church). The 3rd Lord Graham was created Earl of Montrose by James IV and fell at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The 5th Earl was made Marquis of Montrose in 1644. A brilliant military tactician, he campaigned in support of King Charles I.
John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, gained the title of both "Bloody Clavers" and "Bonnie Dundee" depending on whether you were a Covenanter or not, as he fought to crush them. In 1689 at the Battle of Killiecrankie he led a force of Jacobite Highlanders to victory over the forces of King William of Orange. But Viscount Dundee was killed leading the charge.
It was due to the efforts of the Marquis of Graham that the 1747 Act prohibiting or proscription of wearing tartan was repealed in 1782.

Graham was the 30th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The clan motto is "Ne oublié" ("Never forget").

The Bonar, Bontine, Haddon and MacGrime families are septs (sub-branches) of Graham.

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There are some claims that the Grants were descended from King Alpin, the father of Kenneth Macalpin the first king of Scotland (or at least those parts occupied by the Picts and Scots). Other sources suggest that the name derives from the French "Le Grand" meaning of great stature as it was used originally in Normandy. Lord Strathspey, the clan chief, supports the view that the clan has Viking origins, based on recent research. The family motto at that time was "Tenons ferme" which eventually evolved into the well known clan war cry "Stand Fast Craigellachie" (from a hill near Aviemore where a fire was lit to rally the clan to fight).

A Nottinghamshire land-owner named Le Grand obtained land in Strathspey in the 13th century, founding the powerful clan which spread over Strathspey and the Grampian mountains into Aberdeenshire. The Grants supported Robert the Bruce in the 14th century and John and Randolph de Grant were captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296.

The first authenticated chief of the Highland clan was Sir Ian Grant who was Sheriff of Inverness in 1434. In 1493 the Grant lands became the barony of Freuchie and Sir James Grant built a castle there in 1536. Originally called Castle Freuchie it was renamed Castle Grant at the end of the 17th century.

Like most clans, the Grants had occasional feuds with their neighbours and they joined the Campbells against the Gordons of Huntly in 1594. The Grants were loyal to the crown in the Civil War in the mid-17th century and joined the Marquis of Montrose on his campaign after the Battle of Inverlochy. Grants also gave shelter to the MacGregors during the persecution of that clan as there had been a long history of alliance between the two. Later, the Laird of Grant supported William and Mary and their government and did not get involved in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745 although the Grants of Glenmoriston and others in the clan supported the Stewarts. In 1766 Sir James Grant established Grantown-on-Spey, building mills and factories there.

In the 19th century the 27th chief of Clan Grant had a serious dispute with his brothers and the estates were split up, the Seafield Earldom was lost to the chief of the clan but the line continued with the title Lord Strathspey of Strathspey.

The Grant motto is "Craig Elachie" - "The rock of alarm".

The Gilroy, MacGilroy, Pratt and Suttie families are regarded as septs (sub-branches) of Grant.

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The name originated from a Norse personal name "Gunni" (which means "war"). The first Gunni came to Caithness at the end of the 12th century when his wife inherited land there from her brother who was Jarl (Earl) of Orkney. Gunni's wife was descended from St Ragnvald who founded the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Gunni's Viking grandfather had been killed in 1171 on a raid on Dublin. Orkney, Shetland and Shetland were still part of Norway at this time.

Although Ottar, a descendant of Gunni, is known to have lived around 1280 and is the assumed progenitor of the Gunn chiefs, the first chief of the clan to be recorded with certainty was George Gunn who was the coroner of Caithness in the 15th century. He was known as "Am Braisdeach Mor" or "the great brooch-wearer" from his insignia as coroner. He had a castle at Clyth on the east coast of Caithness. A number of separate lines of Gunns became established in Braemore (known as the Robson Gunns), Killearnan, Kildonan and also the Caithness Hendersons and Williamsons.

There is evidence that at the end of the 14th century Sir James Gunn accompanied Sir Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, to North America, nearly one hundred years before Christopher Columbus.

The Gunns became established in the highland areas of Caithness and they were frequently in conflict with the clan Keith. The source (excuse?) for the feud was said to have been when Dugald Keith, who had been spurned by a daughter of Gunn of Braemor, surrounded her home, killed a number of the inhabitants and carried her back to Ackergill Castle. She then threw herself from the tower there rather than submit. There were frequent battles over the years with considerable loss of life. Towards the end of the 15th century a "battle of champions" was agreed with twelve horsemen on each side. But the Keiths turned up with two men on each horse and slaughtered the Gunns. Among the dead were the chief and his four sons who were killed despite taking refuge in the chapel of St Tyr. The grandson of the murdered chief was the first to hold the title "MacSheumais Chataich" (son of James of Caithness, his father). The feud was finally settled in a formal Treaty of Friendship - in 1978.

In 1586 the Sinclair Earls of Caithness and the Gordon earls of Sutherland agreed a pact to destroy the clan Gunn and in order to strengthen their position Gunn of Killearnan married the sister of the chief of the clan Mackay. However, the lands of Killearnan were not lost through battle but by debt. They later obtained land at Badenloch and tried to establish themselves with all the accoutrements of a Highland chief.

In the 17th century, Sir William Gunn who was a brother of the Robson chief, rose to be a battalion commander in the service of the king of Sweden and then fought for King Charles I who gave him a knighthood in 1639. He later married a German baroness and became an imperial general in the Holy Roman Empire.

The Gunns did not become involved in the 1715 Jacobite Uprising and when Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 the Gunns fought on the side of the Hanoverian government. The Gunns suffered greatly as a result of the Highland Clearances in the 19th century and many emigrated or were forced to move to other areas of Scotland. The direct line of the chief ceased in 1821 but there are moves to prove the genealogical credentials and to have a new chief declared by the Court of the Lord Lyon.

In modern times the novelist Neil M Gunn wrote many books based on his childhood on the coast of Caithness.

The Gunn clan motto is "Aut Pax Aut Bellum" which means "Either peace or war".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Gunn clan include Enrick, Gallie, Gaunson, Georgeson, Jameson, Jamieson, Kean, Keene, MacComas, MacCorkill, MacCorkle, MacIan, MacKames, MacKeamish, MacKean, MacManus, MacRob, MacWilliam, Mann, Manson, Nelson, Robinson, Robison, Robson, Ronald, Ronaldson, Sandison, Swan, Swanson, Will, Williamson, Wilson, Wylie.

Gunn is still one of the top twenty surnames in the Highland region of Scotland according to the General Register Office.

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In Old English "hamel dun" meant "bare hill" and there were a number of places in England with names derived from these words. Walter de Hameldone, owned property in near Paisley in Renfrewshire in 1294. In the War of Independence in 1290-1305, he was initially loyal to King Edward I of England but later supported Robert the Bruce. He was granted further lands by Bruce in Lothian and Lanarkshire, including lands at Cadzow (which was later renamed Hamilton). Walter's son, David, fought for King David II at the Battle of Neville Cross in 1346.

In 1474, James Hamilton married Princess Mary, daughter of King James II and was made Lord Hamilton and their son, who was in line of succession to the throne, was made Earl of Arran. The family built Brodick Castle as a Highland home (it is now National Trust property). The second Earl of Arran was made Regent of Scotland during the childhood of Mary Queen of Scots and proposed that his son should marry her. However, she married the Dauphin (heir to the throne) of France instead. Nevertheless, the Earl of Arran was created Duke of Chatelherault, a French title. Later, the Earl tried to save Mary after her ill-fated marriage to Lord Darnley and sheltered her at Cadzow after her escape from Loch Leven.

The fourth Earl of Arran became Chancellor of Scotland and in 1599 and he was advanced to the rank of Marquess. His brother Claud was created Lord Paisley and then Lord Abercorn and this branch prospered, becoming a dukedom in 1868, with a seat in Ulster.

The third Marquess supported King Charles I and he was made Duke of Hamilton in 1643 and the premier peer of Scotland. His daughter, Annie, married William Douglas, Earl of Selkirk. The foundations of a palace, near Hamilton in Lanarkshire, were laid at this time. The palace was later demolished because of mining subsidence but the magnificent hunting lodge named Chatelherault still survives in a public park. The seat of the Duke of Hamilton is now Lennoxlove, in East Lothian.

Other Hamiltons of note in Scottish history include Patrick Hamilton who was martyred for his Protestant beliefs in 1528 and the grandson of the 3rd Duke who climbed Vesuvius 22 times and married Emma, Lord Nelson's beloved. The 14th Duke was the pilot of the first plane to fly over Mount Everest (in 1933).

The Hamilton clan motto is "Through".

Hamilton was the 29th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995. Many Hamiltons, of course, derive their name from the town of Hamilton.

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This important Scottish line originated from the Norman princes de La Haye who were part of William the Conqueror's army that swept into England in 1066. Members of the family were in Scotland in the 12th century - William de La Haye were cup bearers to King Malcolm IV who reigned between 1153 and 1165 and William de Haya was given the charter to lands around Errol a few years later.

As a close supporter of Robert the Bruce during the earlier years when success was by no means assured, led to Sir Gilbert Hay being rewarded with land at Slains in Aberdeenshire and the appointment of Lord High Constable of Scotland in 1309. The title was made hereditary a few years later. The family still hold that title, giving them precedence in Scotland immediately after the royal family.

Sir Robert Hay, the 7th Baron of Erroll, married Elizabeth, daughter of King Robert II and marriages to the daughters of the Earl of Strathearn and Earl of Buchan by other Hays increased the stature of the family still further.

In the 15th century, Sir Gilbert Hay fought in support of Joan of Arc and was at the coronation of King Charles VII of France. His descendants became the Hays of Delgatie and his castle near Turriff in Aberdeenshire is now the Hay Clan Centre. Sir Gilbert was killed along with King James IV and many other Scottish nobles and soldiers at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

The Hays supported Mary Queen of Scots and rejected the Reformation. The Hays, Gordons and Red Douglases were involved in negotiations with Philip II of Spain and campaigned against Protestant nobles. The forces of King James VI attacked Delgatie and Slains Castle - the latter castle was blown up and has been a ruin ever since.

The Hays supported the Stewart monarchs in the 17th century and Sir William Hay joined the forces of the Marquis of Montrose in Scotland and was his standard bearer. He was executed with Montrose in Edinburgh in 1650 and was buried in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh with a state funeral after the Restoration.

The Hays supported the Jacobite Uprisings of both 1715 and 1745 and the 13th Earl was awarded the Order of the Thistle by "James VIII" - the Old Pretender.

The 18th earl was Lord High Constable of Scotland during the lavish state visit by King George IV to Scotland in 1822 which was orchestrated by Sir Walter Scott. The cost of the entertainment nearly bankrupted the Hays.

The 19th Earl was concerned for the well being of the fishing communities in Aberdeenshire and founded the village of Port Erroll, providing housing at low rents.

Another branch of the family was the Hays of Yester who rose to become Marqesses of Tweeddale in the Scottish Borders. The Hay mansion near Gifford in East Lothian was designed by Robert Adam.

The Hay clan motto is "Serva jugum" which means "Keep the yoke".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Hay clan include Arrol, Constable and Gifford.

Hay was the 100th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Son of Henry" is a name which is found in various forms all over Europe. In Scotland, it was originally "Henryson" but Henderson was easier to say and has become the norm. The surname Hendry is of course from the same roots.

While the name can be found all across the country, there were a number of main branches. In Dumfries, William Henrison became chamberlain of Lochmaben Castle (a possible birthplace of Robert the Bruce) around 1374. He later received a pension from the king of England when he was driven from his lands in the area. A descendant, James Henderson, became Lord Advocate in 1494 and established himself with a fortified mansion in the lands of Fordell near Dalgety in Fife in 1511. Later, one of Mary Queen of Scot's ladies-in-waiting married George Henderson of Fordell. The Lowland Henderson chiefs were designated "Henderson of Fordell". A prominent Henderson of Fordell was Alexander, who became a minister in Fife. He was violently opposed to the new prayer book foisted on the Church of Scotland by King Charles I in 1637. His denouncement of the book resulted in him drafting (along with Johnston of Warriston) the National Covenant which was signed by thousands in Greyfriar's Churchyard in Edinburgh. Henderson later became Moderator of the Church of Scotland and is buried in Greyfriar's. Although Fordell Castle is no longer in Henderson hands, it was restored this century by the late Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, a colourful Solicitor General for Scotland.

The southern Hendersons spread eastwards from Dumfries to Liddesdale, although they never became one of the great Border families.In 1594, when the Scottish Parliament listed the Border families who were accused of being outlaws and "Border Rievers", Henderson was not included.

In the 15th century, Henry Gunn in Caithness in the far north of Scotland, fell out with other members of the family. He is thought to have been the founder of a family named Henderson in that area.

In the Glencoe area, a sept of the MacDonalds Anglicised their Gaelic name "MacEanruig" and formed another distinct enclave of Hendersons. They claimed to have been descended from "Big Henry, son of King Nechtan" a Pictish monarch of around 706AD. A more verifiable descent is from a Dugal MacEanruig who lived around 1340.

There was a John filius Henry in Aberdeen in the early part of the 14th century who became a burgess (freeman of the city) and in 1370, James Henrisson, a merchant in Aberdeen, is recorded complaining about the English wrecking one of his ships.

Thomas Henderson from Dundee was originally a lawyer but became an astronomer in the 19th century and was appointed as the first Astronomer Royal in Scotland.

The Henderson clan motto is "Sola virtus nobilitat" which means "Virtue alone enobles".

Hendrie, Hendry, MacHendrie and MacHendry surnames are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacNaughton clan. Henderson itself is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

Henderson was the 27th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Hunting was important in the Middle Ages so the occupational name Hunter arose across most of Scotland, sometimes in a Latinised version of "Venator". Three Hunter landowners from Paisley were signatories to the infamous "Ragman Roll" in 1296 when King Edward I of England held a parliament at Berwick to which he summoned all Scottish landholders to swear allegiance to him.

But a major strand of the name was a Norman family of Hunters who settled in Ayrshire in the 13th century, giving their name to the village of Hunter's Toune - now Hunterston. A parchment, signed by King Robert II in 1374 confirming ownership to William Hunter (the 10th owner), still survives there. The rent was a silver penny and to this day the Laird of Hunterston keeps silver pennies from the reign of Robert II - just in case the monarch drops by looking for the rent!

Yone Venatore witnessed a charter in Beauly in 1231 and Adam Hunter was granted a hereditary office in the lands of Newbattle Abbey in 1259. In 1327 Maurice Hunter was provost of Stirling and Aymon Hunter was burgess of Cullen on the Moray Firth.

In the 15th century the Ayrshire family were hereditary keepers of the royal forests in Arran and Little Cumbrae in the Clyde estuary. John Hunter, the 14th Laird, died at the Battle of Flodden in 1523 and John's grandson was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. The 20th Laird graduated from Glasgow University in 1643. Robert Hunter, a grandson of the 20th Laird became Governor of Virginia and then New York. Hunterston House, an elegant manor, was built in the late 18th century. The present chief of the family, recognised by the Lord Lyon, is the 30th. At one stage the Hunters of Polmood challenged the precedence of the Hunterston line but this was rejected as they had never been styled "of that ilk."

Brothers William and John Hunter were born in East Kilbride in the 18th century. William became an eminent anatomist, improving the teaching of the subject and advancing the science of gynaecology. William left a medical and scholarly collection to Glasgow University and they are to be found in the Hunterian Museum. John was a prominent surgeon in London and in the army in Portugal. He started a collection of anatomical specimens and by his death he had 13,000 of these.

The Hunter clan motto is "Cursum perficio" which means "I accomplish the hunt".

Hunter was the 37th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995

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"Eriwine" and "Erwinne" are old English first names, derived from the Brittonic "ir afon" meaning "green water". It became the name of a parish in Annandale in Dumfriesshire and also in Ayrshire (where the town of Irvine has prospered). The first recorded reference in Scotland is Gilchrist, son of Eruini, who witnessed a charter in Galloway in the 12th century. However, family tradition claims that the chiefly branch originated through the lay Abbots of Dunkeld from the High Kings of Ireland.

William de Irwin was a neighbour of the Bruce family and he became an armour-bearer and then secretary to Robert the Bruce. His reward for 20 years of service was the royal forest of Drum, near Banchory, in Aberdeenshire. This then became the seat of the family.

De Irwyne, the 3rd Laird of Drum (named Alexander, as were the next 11 chiefs) accompanied the Earl of Mar in the French wars and fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. The 4th Laird was heavily involved in the negotiations which ransomed King James I from the English. James knighted de Irwyne.

The Dumfries branch rose to prominence in the 16th century - Christopher Irving of Bonshaw and a son were killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. They were involved in Dumfries municipal affairs and descendants are now living in Canada.

The 10th Laird of Drum staunchly supported King Charles I but, during the fighting, Drum castle was attacked and looted. An offer of a peerage was made to the 11th Laird but he declined it when he found the king unwilling to recompense him for the destruction of the Drum estates. Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is regarded as one of the finest castles in Scotland. The keep is one of the three oldest surviving tower houses in the country.

The Irvine Lairds fought on the side of the Jacobites in both the 1715 and 1745 Uprisings. A number of Irvines emigrated to Ireland - there is an Irvine castle in Fermanagh which was built by a Scottish Irvine.

In more recent times, the 22nd Laird fought in the First World War in the Grenadier Guards. Sir Robert Irvine, from the Dumfries line, was captain of the "Queen Mary" and Sir James Irvine (from Ayrshire) was a noted chemist and a principal of St Andrews University until 1952.

The Irvine clan motto is "Sub sole sub umbra virens" which means "Flourishing in both sunshine and shade".

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There were a number of "John's towns" in Scotland but the earliest record of the surname is a John Johnstone at the end of the 12th century Later, Sir John Johnston of Dumfries signed the Ragman Roll in 1296, along with most of the other Scottish landowners, swearing allegiance to King Edward I. The family grew in stature and Sir John's descendants were appointed as a warden of the western marches in 1381. Adam Johnstone was named Laird of Johnstone near the beginning of the 15th century and took part in the Battle of Sark in 1448. Adam's son assisted King James II in his struggle with the Douglas family and was rewarded with land near Threave Castle which had previously belonged to the Douglases. Adam's eldest son (another John) was the ancestor of the Annandale branch of the family while another son Mathew is said to have married a daughter of the Earl of Angus (chief of the Red Douglases) and his descendants formed the Westerhall branch.

The Johnstones were one of the many Border families who frequently raided the north of England over the centuries. They also became involved in one of the many Border feuds with the Maxwells, which was only resolved by the intervention of King James VI in 1623.

James Johnstone, the chief of the clan, was made Lord Johnstone of Lochwood in 1633 by King Charles I and Earl of Hartfell in 1643. King Charles II elevated him to Earl of Annandale, and Lord Johnstone of Lochwood, Lochmaben, Moffatdale and Evandal. In 1701, a descendant was raised to the rank of Marquess of Annandale.

In early times, the city of Perth was called St John's Toun (the local football team is still called St Johnstone) and when surnames became more frequent, many of the people from there took the name Johnstone. When the MacGregor name was proscribed (banned) a number of that clan took the name Johnstone.

Other Johnstones are to be found in Strathspey, unconnected with those in the Borders. This family supported the Jacobite cause in 1715 and 1745. The head of this branch now lives in America.

In more modern times, Tom Johnston, a Labour politician, was a successful Secretary of State for Scotland during the Second World War.

The Johnston clan motto is "Nunquam non paratus" which means "Never unprepared".

Johnston/Johnstone combined was the 10th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995

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The surname is derived from a number of placenames in Scotland which in turn were from the Brittonic word "coed" meaning "wood". The name appears in a number of locations in Scotland, the earliest being a Norman adventurer, Hervey Keith who married an heiress of the warrior Marbhachair. Hervey was granted the lands of "Keth" from King David I around 1150. His son became Marischal (in charge of the horses) of the King of Scots. Sir Robert de Keth led the Scots cavalry at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 but died later at the Battle of Durham in 1346. The Keiths were made Hereditary Great Marischal by Robert the Bruce, a rank they held until 1715.

The 3rd Lord Keith was given the title Earl Marischal and the 4th Earl founded Marischal College in Aberdeen.

As leaders of the Scots cavalry, the Keiths were involved in most of the major battles over the centuries. Lord Keith survived the slaughter of the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and his standard from that battle has survived to this day.

While the Keiths were associated with north-east Scotland, (they built Dunnottar Castle on its cliff-top, south of Stonehaven) a marriage to the heiress of Ackergill resulted in a move to Caithness, where they became involved in a long and bloody feud with the clan Gunn.

Support for King Charles II in the Civil War led to the 7th Earl being imprisoned in the Tower of London. But on the Restoration, he was made Lord Privy Seal and his brother was created Earl of Kintore for his role in hiding the Scottish crown jewels from Cromwell - they had been smuggled out of Dunnottar Castle and hidden in a nearby church.

The 9th Earl led the Jacobite cavalry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 and his younger brother fought on the continent in Spain and Russia . He died fighting for Frederick the Great in Prussia during the Seven Years War. The Keiths also supported the 1745 Jacobite Uprising - and forfeited lands, castles and titles as a result.

The Earls of Kintore still live at Keith Hall in Aberdeenshire.

The Keith clan motto is "Veritas Vincit" which means "Truth conquers".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Keith clan include Austin, Dickson, Dixon, Harvey, MacKeith and Marshall.

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Kennedy

The Kennedy family became associated with the south-west of Scotland when 'Cunedda', (which means 'grim-headed'), a chieftain of the Votadini (located in what is now Lothian) was sent to establish settlements there at a time when Gaelic was the main language there. The name is particularly associated with Carrick in Ayrshire. In early times it was a forename and therefore is found initially as 'MacKenedi' and the name is found as early as the reign of William the Lion (1165-1214). The Kennedy's claimed to be related to the Earls of Carrick and supported Robert the Bruce who came from that line. In 1372, King Robert II confirmed John Kennedy of Dunure as chief of the clan and in 1457 John's direct descendant, Gilbert, was created Lord Kennedy. He was one of the regents of the infant King James III. The 3rd Lord Kennedy was created Earl of Cassillis but died four years later at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The 10th Earl of Cassillis engaged Robert Adam to build the magnificent Culzean Castle at the end of the 18th century. The 11th Earl had settled in America and although he tried to be impartial in the War of Independence, many of his New York properties were confiscated, including Number 1, Broadway which was taken over by George Washington. In the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Clark Kennedy personally captured the eagle and colours of the 105th Regiment of French Infantry at the Battle of Waterloo.

Kennedys spread to other parts of Scotland, in particular to Morayshire and Perthshire. Another branch settled in Lochaber and Skye where they became known as Clan Ulric and became a sept of Clan Cameron. The Kennedy name also arose in Ireland (notably the ancestors of President John F Kennedy) and many Irish Kennedys emigrated to Scotland.

The clan motto is "Avise la fin" (Consider the end).

The Carrick and Cassels families are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Kennedys.

Kennedy was the 58th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

There is a Kennedy family Web Site and a Kennedy "One Name Study" site with a large amount of genealogical data.

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Kerr/Carr

Although tradition says that the Kerrs were of Norman descent, from two brothers who settled in Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders in the 14th century, the name existed as early as the 12th century. It is also suggested that the name came from a Celtic word meaning strength. Whatever the origins, the families of Kers at Cessford and Ferniehurst became a powerful Border family, having been granted land in Roxburgh by James IV. Sir Robert Cessford became Lord Roxburghe in 1600 and in 1616 was elevated to Earl of Roxburghe. When Sir William Drummond, from another powerful Scottish family, married the Earl's daughter, he became the 2nd Earl and assumed the name of Ker. After supporting the Act of Union in 1707, the 5th Earl became Duke of Roxburghe. The direct line failed and, after a long dispute over who was next in line, Sir James Innes succeeded and became the 5th Duke. Another Kerr family was established in Lothian and the first Earl of Lothian was created in 1606.

There is a legend that the Kerrs were frequently left-handed and even constructed the spiral staircases in their castles so that they could take advantage over right-handed swordsmen. The term "Corrie-fisted" or left-handed is said to derive from this. But there is little in history to support the legend - the story is likely to have derived from the Gaelic "caerr" meaning "left".

Kerr was the 31st most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The motto of the Kerrs is "Sero sed serio" ("Late but in earnest").

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Lamont

This name used to always be pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable, not as "La Mont" as it is frequently heard these days. The name is of great antiquity in southern Argyll where the chiefs were known as "Mac Laomain Mor Chomhail Uile" or "The Great MacLamont of all Cowal" - there is an inscription in an old churchyard in Kilmun recording this. The name comes from Logmaor, the Norse word for "law man" or "law giver".

Legend has it that the clan is descended the royal house of Dalriada and from the O'Neill princes of Tyrone in Ireland in the 11th century. But the first firm evidence for the name is in the early 13th century when Laumanus, son of Malcolm, granted land at Kilmun and Kilfinan in Argyll to the monks from Paisley Abbey.

In 1456 John Lamond was the baillie (a magistrate) of Cowal. The seat of the chiefs of the clan (styled the Lamont of Lamont) was at Castle Toward, opposite Rothesay Bay, south of Dunoon. Their territory stretched from the edge of Dumbartonshire to Loch Fyne. Some Lamonts, however, moved to Aberdeenshire and John Lamont from Braemar became professor of astronomy in Munich in the middle of the 19th century.

In 1643, Sir James Lamont supported the royalist cause - which brought him into conflict with the powerful Campbells. The Lamonts ravaged some of the Campbell lands but after the defeat of the Marquis of Montrose, the Campbells besieged the Lamont castles. The chief surrendered and although the terms appeared to allow him and his family safe conduct, the Campbells imprisoned the Lamont chief in Dunstaffnage Castle for five years and massacred 200 clansmen. The clan never recovered from the ravages of the Earl of Argyll. The last chief to live in Cowal was born in 1854. The clan lands were sold in 1893 and the chief emigrated to Australia where the present chief resides. A clan history of the Lamonts by Hector McKechnie was published in 1938.

In more recent times, Norman Lamont was a Chancellor of the Exhequer in Margaret Thatcher's government and famously took the UK out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

The Lamont clan motto is "Ne parcas nec spernas" which means "Neither spare nor dispose".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Lamont clan include Black, Blake, Brown, Burdon, Clement, Lamb, Lambie, Lammond, Lamondson, Landers, Lemond, Limond, Limont, Lucas, Luke, MacClymont, MacGilledon, MacLamond, MacLucas, MacLymont, MacPatrick, Meikleham, Munn, Patrick, Toward, Turner, White, Whyte.

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Leslie

The name is derived from a place name Lesslyn in Aberdeenshire. It is claimed that it was adopted by a descendant of Bartolf the Fleming, a nobleman who was in the retinue of Edgar the Aetheling when he came to Scotland in 1067 (after the Norman invasion in 1066). King Malcolm III made him governor of Edinburgh castle and granted him estates in Fife, Angus, the Mearns and Aberdeenshire. Bartolf's son was appointed constable of the royal castle at Inverury and his great-grandson obtained lands at Fythkill (later renamed Lesley) in Fife in 1282.

The Fife line clearly prospered and in 1445 George Lesley was appointed Lord Lesley of Leven and the title of Earl of Rothes in 1457. Later Leslies took up the career of professional soldier, fighting in Germany, France, Sweden and the Baltic.

During the religious upheavals of the Reformation, Norman Leslie was one of the chief participants in the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1641. Alexander Leslie returned from the continent to take command of the Army of the Covenant. David Lesley, who had served King Gustav Adolph of Sweden, was a later Covenant commander but he was defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. After the restoration of the monarchy he was created Lord Newark.

The 7th Earl of Rothes became Lord Chancellor of Scotland was created a duke by Charles II in 1680.

The 9th Earl of Rothes was Vice Admiral of Scotland and governor of Stirling Castle. He supported the Hanoverians and commanded a regiment of cavalry against the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. Leslie House remained the seat of the Earls of Rothes until 1926.

The ruined castle of the Leslies in Aberdeenshire, together with the title of baron, were purchased in 1979 by David C Leslie, an architect from Aberdeen, who restored the building and ran it as a private hotel.

The use of the name as a forename (Leslie and Lesley) is of fairly recent origin.

The Leslie clan motto is "Grip fast".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Leslie clan include Bartholomew and Lang.

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Lindsay

The name Lindsay is derived from "Lincoln's Island" from an area in England and Sir Walter de Lindeseya was one of many Norman knights who accompanied King David I when he returned to Scotland in 1124 after many years at the English court. Sir Walter settled in Lothian and Upper Clydeside. Over the years there were many different spellings of the name as different strands of the name spread across Scotland, with many of the holders making a significant contribution to Scottish history.

A descendant of Sir Walter, Sir William de Lindesay, held the lands of Crawford in Lanarkshire and sat in the Scots Parliament in 1164. He acquired considerable wealth through marriage to a grand-daughter of the ruler of much of Northumbria. His son, Sir David, married a member of the Scottish royal family and his grandson also inherited English estates. One of his descendants, also named Sir David, became High Chamberlain of Scotland in 1256. He perished on a Crusade with King Louis of France in 1268. His son, Sir Alexander, had to choose between Robert the Bruce and King Edward I and chose to support the Scottish cause, thus losing his English properties.

In 1320, Lord David Crawford was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath. One of his sons married a daughter of Walter, High Steward of Scotland - the Stewards/Stewarts later became the long line of Scottish monarchs.

Sir David de Lindsay took part in a famous tournament in London in 1390 in front of King Richard II of England. He won so easily that there was a suggestion that he was tied to the saddle - until he jumped off his horse. It is thought that Sir David may have been the organiser of the "Battle of the Clans" at Perth in 1396 which was staged in front of King Robert III. Sir David was later created Earl of Crawford and in 1403 he became Lord High Admiral of Scotland.

The Lindsays spread all across Scotland, though the main concentration was in Angus, Nairn and Lanarkshire. But at one stage there were over 100 Lindsay families who held land in Scotland.

The fifth earl held the positions of Lord High Admiral of Scotland, Master of the Royal Household, Lord Chamberlain and High Justiciary (though not all at the same time). In 1513, his son fell at the Battle of Flodden along with King James IV and many other Scottish nobility. The 10th Earl supported Mary Queen of Scots.

In the 17th century, Ludovic Lindsay fought for King Charles I and later joined the Marquis of Montrose in Scotland. He died in prison and the title passed to another branch. In the 19th century the title of Earl of Crawford passed to another branch who had been made the Earls of Balcarres in 1651 for services during the Civil War. The first Earl of Balcarres became hereditary keeper of Edinburgh Castle and then Secretary of State for Scotland. The 6th earl of Balcarres became the 23rd Earl of Crawford. The present chief lives in Balcarres in Fife.

Yet another branch of the family, this time in Angus, established themselves in Edzell Castle which is famous for a magnificent octagonal garden which was established there.

It was not just in the field of war and statecraft that the Lindsays made their mark. Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, who was Lord Lyon King of Arms, wrote a play "Ane Satyr of the Three Estaitis" in 1540. It satirised the corruption of the Church and State at a time when the Reformation of the Church was gaining ground. A contemporary of his, Robert Lindsay of Pittscottie in Fife, wrote a three volume history of Scotland which was used by Sir Walter Scott as the basis of many of his historical novels.

The Lindsay clan motto is "Endure fort" which means "Endure boldly".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Lindsay clan include Cobb, Deuchar and Summers.

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Logan/Logie/Loggie

The Logans in the Highlands are often linked to the MacLennans due to a colourful (but unreliable) legend about a chief of the Logans in Easter Ross who was killed in a feud with the Frasers. His wife gave birth to a child a few months later who later became a priest. His son was named Gillie Fhinnein (disciple of St Finnan) and MacLennan is the anglicised version of this name.

All the Logan/Logie names are probably derived from the Gaelic word "lagan" (little hollow) which became parts of place names in various parts of Scotland. One of the most important sources of the name was Logan in Ayrshire but there are examples of the name in Dryburgh in the Borders in 1204, Adam de Logan in Gowrie in 1226 and Thurbrand de Logan in Cunningham, Ayrshire. There were four landowners of that name who signed the "Ragman Roll" of King Edward I in 1296.

Two knights named Logan accompanied Sir James Douglas on his journey to take Robert the Bruce's heart to the Holy Land. They died with Douglas fighting the Moors in Spain in 1329.

There was a landed family of Logans in Forfar, Angus for hundreds of years until the last of the lairds died without issue in 1802. Other Logans were established in lands in West Linton (south of the Pentland Hills in the Scottish Borders).

Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig in Edinburgh married a daughter of King Robert II and was Admiral of Scotland in 1406. The family owned Fast Castle in Berwickshire but they fell from favour and the last Logan of Restalrig died an outlaw and the castle was taken over by the Homes.

Logie/Loggie were located in different parts of the country from Logan. Wauter de Logie also signed the Ragman Roll and Sir John of Logy is reputed to have been one of the nobles who conspired with King Edward II of England and the Earl of Warenne when they attempted an invasion of Scotland in 1320. A coat of arms was granted to Logie of that Ilk (signifying a clan chief) but they were never subsequently recorded in the registers of the Lyon Court.

"The Scottish Gael" was the first work in English to try to give a history of Highland dress and it was written by James Logan in 1831. In modern times, Jimmy Logan is the most famous of a large theatrical family.

The Logan clan motto is "Hoc Marjorum Virtus" which means "This is the valour of my ancestors".

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MacArthur

The forename Arthur may owe its origins to the Greek word "arktouros" meaning keeper of the bears and in the Celtic world it came to mean "strong as a bear". The name is now known around the world as a result of the legendary King Arthur who may have been a Celtic chieftain around the 6th century. The first reliable record of the name is in Adomnan's "Life of Columba" which tells of a king of the Scots called Aedan mac Gabhrain named his son Arthur, also in the 6th century.

The MacArthur clan is believed to have the same roots as the Campbells, but claims that further back they are descended from the legendary King Arthur, are unprovable. The clan is certainly regarded as ancient and there is a Gaelic saying "as old as the hills, the MacArthurs and the Devil". The more established records show that they originated from the district of Lennox, part of the old kingdom of Strathclyde and moved into Argyll. The clan seat was established at Strachur, on Loch Fyne.

The clan was at its peak in the 14th century when a MacArthur married the heiress of the progenitor of the Campbell lords of Loch Awe. The MacArthurs from Loch Awe supported Robert the Bruce and fought at the Battle of Bannockburn. Their leader, Mac-ic-Artair, was rewarded with land previously held by the MacDougalls of Lorne (who had supported the Comyns). The MacArthurs became keepers of Dunstaffnage castle.

When King James I attempted to subdue the Highland clans who were becoming too powerful in the 15th century, the MacArthurs were amongst those who bore the brunt of his actions. The clan chief, Iain MacArthur, who could summon 1,000 men, was executed in 1427 and most of the clan lands were confiscated. For all practical purposes that was the end of the clan; unlike others who suffered setbacks and managed to recover, the MacArthurs never regained their clan lands, though the name survived as many of the clan dispersed.

For a while, a sept of the MacArthurs were the hereditary pipers of the MacDonalds of Sleat, who were frequently at odds with the Campbells. Charles MacArthur, piper to Sir Alexander MacDonald, was a pupil of Patrick Og MacCrimmon. Another group of MacArthurs were armorours to MacDonald of Islay.

Towards the end of the 15th century, and into the 16th century, a number of MacArthurs held prominent positions in Argyll. Some of their neighbours became jealous and as a result of a skirmish on Loch Awe, Duncan MacArthur and his son were drowned. The Earl of Argyll ordered compensation to be paid but took advantage of the situation and appointed his nephew John to be leader of the Loch Awe MacArthurs.

In the 17th century, one of the MacArthurs of Milton in Dunoon rose to be a baillie in Kintyre and a chamberlain to the Marquess of Montrose in Cowal. Large numbers of MacArthurs fought on both sides during the Jacobite Uprisings in 1715 and 1745. After the '45, many emigrated to the West Indies and North America.

John MacArthur (1767-1834) came to New South Wales in Australia in 1790. He was one of the earliest sheep farmers there (he successfully crossed Bengal and Irish sheep and later introduced the Merino breed from South Africa). His sons planted the first vineyard in Australia.

In more modern times, US General Arthur MacArthur, whose parents came from Glasgow in Scotland, became Lieutenant-General in the Philippines in 1906. His son, General Douglas MacArthur, became even more famous in the Pacific and the Philippines during WW2 as commander of the US forces in the Far East.

The last clan chief of the MacArthurs died in India in the 1780s. He had no obvious male heir and so the hereditary chiefdom of the clan seemed to have died with him. But after a long gap, Canadian-born James Edward Moir MacArthur was recognized by the Lord Lyon in August 2002 as the Arthur clan chief. The new chief was 87 at that date and lived in Edinburgh. He had not sought the title - the research was initiated by a group of senior clan members. The genealogist had to go back to the 16th century to find a common ancestor for the last chief, Charles MacArthur of Tirivadich. The Lord Lyon further decreed that the Chief of Clan Arthur's shield should be "three antique crowns Or (gold) set on an Azure (blue) background". The silver cross molene which, up until now, was thought to form part of the Clan Arthur Chief's shield, has been omitted. James MacArthur's coat of arms now reverts to the earliest, original arms of Clan Arthur, a shield identical to the description given in ancient manuscripts for the legendary King Arthur's blazon. James MacArthur was officially inaugurated in April 2003 but the old chief died in April 2004.

The MacArthur clan motto is "Fide et opera" which means "By fidelity and labour".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacArthur clan are limited to Arthur.

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MacBean/MacBain/Bean

Origins and Early YearsMacBean
The name MacBain and variants has its origins in the Gaelic "betha" or "beatha" meaning "life" (similar to "uisge-beatha" the water of life, or whisky). It may have been, however, that it was from the Gaelic "bheathain" meaning "lively one". An early version of the name was Mac'ic'Beatha or Macbeth - who was later to gain fame when William Shakespeare wrote about him. Like Macbeth, many of those with this name came from Moray and the northern Grampian mountains.

When the powerful families of Moray were eventually made to acknowledge the authority of the Scottish monarch in the reign of Malcolm IV, many of them moved to other areas in the north. Legend has it that a MacBean settled in Petty, near Inverness in the 14th century and established his family under the protection of the clan Macintosh. The MacBeans also joined the Chattan confederation of clans, of which Macintosh was a major part.

Fierce Fighters
To survive, the Highland clans had to be able to fight both to defend their land and property and, in time of need, to raid the territory of other clans. But some gained a reputation for being doughty fighters and this certainly applied to the MacBeans. They were supporters of Robert the Bruce but although many of their specific fighting exploits would go unrecorded, the MacBeans (and Macintoshes) are said to have supported Donald, Lord of the Isles in the Battle of Harlaw in 1411 against the Earl of Mar - and lost many men.

The Macbeans supported the Jacobite rising of 1715 and many were transported to the plantations of Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina as a result. Despite this, Gilleis Mor Macbean, a grandson of the 12th chief, who was at least 6 feet 4 inches in height, became a major in the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. At Culloden, he tried to plug a gap created by government dragoons and with his back to a wall, cut down thirteen or fourteen of them. A chivalrous Hanoverian officer was so impressed by his bravery that he tried to pull back his men, but they pressed forward, mortally wounding him.

Later MacBeans who earned military honours were Lieutenant General Forbes MacBean who was commander of artillery in Canada in 1778 and William MacBean who rose from private to major general in the Sutherland highlanders and earned Britain's highest military medal, the Victoria Cross, during the Indian Mutiny of 1858. A MacBain commanded the Gordon Highlanders against the Boers in South Africa in 1881.

Away from the battlefields, Alexander MacBean was one of the compilers of Dr Samuel Johnson's dictionary.

Loss of Clan Lands
Paul MacBean, the 12th chief, fell into debt and was forced to sell clan lands around 1685. His younger brother is the ancestor of the present chief as Paul McBean's line ended in a daughter. After Culloden, the chief tried to retain the remaining clan lands but they were finally sold in 1760

The chief of the clan moved to Canada and the present chief lives in Tucson, Arizona. The MacBean clan association is based in Denver, Colorado. But the recent clan chiefs have retrieved some of the ancient clan lands and there is a Macbain Memorial Park on the hills above Loch Ness.

Clan Motto
The MacBean clan motto is "Touch not a catt bot a targe" which means "Don't touch a cat without a shield".

Septs
Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacBain/MacBean clan include Bain, Bean, Beattie, Binnie, Macbeath, Macbeth, Macbheath, Macilvain and MacVean.

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Malcolm/MacCallum

The surnames Malcolm and MacCallum are both derived from the Gaelic word "calaman" which means a dove; this came to symbolise the Holy Spirit and the Latin equivalent was "columba" - the name of the Irish Saint Columba who established the monastery on Iona. Followers of Columba were "maol Chaluim" which gradually became the name Malcolm. While the two names may be from the same roots, there was no genealogical relationship between the two (although an early MacCallum chief did change his name to Malcolm, confusing the situation).

From the 10th century onwards, there were four kings named Malcolm and there were three landowners named "Maucolum" ( from Berwick, Perth and Montrose) who were signatories to the Ragman Roll in 1296.

The clan MacCallum became established in northern Argyll and in 1414 Sir Duncan Campbell granted lands to them at Craignish peninsula, not far from Kilmartin where family legend says one of the early branches of the name became established. The Campbells also made Ranald MacCallum hereditary keeper of Craignish castle. The Campbells also granted land to Donald, son of Gillespie MacCallum, another branch of the clan in Duntrune, adding to property already owned at Poltalloch in Argyll. The Poltalloch MacCallums have held the chieftainship of the clan from that time but later adopted the name Malcolm. The 15th Laird of Poltalloch was raised to the peerage as Lord Malcolm of Poltalloch late in the 19th century. However, the home of the present clan chief is now Duntrune Castle.

In the middle of the 17th century, Zachary MacCallum met a party of MacDonalds (enemies of the Campbells) and killed seven of them before being scythed down. Neil MacCallum, a nephew of Zachary, served in the French navy and is reputed to have been the father of the Marquis de Montcalm, who defended Quebec against the Highlanders who scaled the Heights of Abraham there, bringing to an end French rule in Canada.

The surname Malcolm is associated initially with Dunbartonshire and Stirling in the 14th century and later in Dumfriesshire. In the 18th century, George Malcolm of that county had three sons, all of whom became Knights of the Order of the Bath, two as generals and one as an admiral. General Sir John Malcolm was the British representative in the court of the Shah of Persia and published a history of that country in 1815 which is still highly regarded. His brother, Admiral Sir Pultney Malcolm commanded St Helena during Napoleon's exile there after the Battle of Waterloo.

The Malcolm/MacCallum clan motto is "In ardua tendit" which means "He has attempted difficult things".

Malcolmson is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the Malcolm/MacCallum clan.

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MacDonald/Donald/MacDonnell

The largest of the Highland clans, the Gaelic first name "Domnuill" was anglicised to "Donald". The original Donald was a grandson of the mighty King Somerled who drove out the Vikings in the 12th century. Somerled's mother was Norse and his father was descended from the kings of Dalriada, according to clan history. The family was founded in Islay and extended their territory to the mainland. Donald's great-grandson, "Good" John of Islay, became known as Lord of the Isles and later holders of the title became powerful enough to challenge the king of Scotland. The Lord of the Isles had its own parliament at Finlaggan on Islay. Eventually, the Lord of the Isles was defeated in 1493 by King James IV and the various branches of the clan evolved under their own chieftains. The main branches were Clan Donald of Sleat (in Skye), Clanranald (in Moidart, Glengarry, Lochaber and Glencoe). The Glengarry line adopted the spelling MacDonnell. The MacDonells of Keppoch were descended from Alastair, third son of John, first Lord of the Isles. Their lands were on the mainland in Lochaber; they were sometimes known as Clan Ranald of Lochaber. The last clan battle in the Highlands took place between MacDonell of Keppoch and Mackintosh of Mackintosh in Lochaber in 1688.

The Clanranald MacDonalds were involved in both the 1715 (the clan chief was killed at the Battle of Sheriffmuir) and 1745 Jacobite Uprisings. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in Clanranald territory in 1745.

Many MacDonalds emigrated to North America and other parts of the world in the 18th and 19th century. 300 MacDonalds from Clanranald emigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1790 and MacDonnells of Glengarry settled in some numbers in Glengarry County, Ontario.

MacDonald was the most frequently registered "mac" name in Scotland - it was the 26th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The motto of MacDonald of MacDonald is "Per mare per terras" (By sea and by land). The MacDonalds of Clanranald and MacDonalds of Sleat have the motto "My hope is constant in thee" and the MacDonnells of Glengarry have the motto "Cragan an Fhithich" (The rock of the raven).

As befits a large and powerful clan, the septs or sub-branches under the protection of the MacDonalds are many. The list provided by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs include Alexander, Allan, Allanson, Balloch, Beath, Begg, Bowie, Burk, Colson, Connall, Connell, Coull, Coulson, Crombie, Crum, Daniels, Donaldson, Domillson, Galt, Gilbride, Gill, Gorrie, Gowan, Gowrie, Hawthorn, Hewitson, Hewitt, Howison, Hudson, Hughson, Hutchenson, Hutcheson, Hutchinson, Hutchison, Isles, Jeffrey, Kean, Keene, Kellie, Kinnell, Leitch, Macallan, Macbeth, MacBride, MacBurie, MacCall, MacCash, MacCaul, MacCluskie, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCoish, MacCook, MacCosram, MacCrain, MacCrindle, MacCririe, MacCruithein, MacCuag, MacCuish, MacCutcheon, MacDaniell, MacDrain, MacEachan, MacElfrish, MacElheran, MacGeachie, MacGeachen, MacGill, MacGillivantie, MacGilp, MacGorrie, MacGoun, MacGowan, MacGown, MacHendry, MacHugh, MacHutcheon, MacIan, MacIlriach, MacIlrevie, MacIlvride, MacIlwraith, MacIsaac, MacKeachan, MacKean, MacKechnie, MacKellachie, MacKellaig, MacKellock, MacKechan, MacKiggan, MacKillop, MacKinnell, MacKissock, MacLardie, MacLarty, MacLaverty, MacMurrick, MacO'Shannaig, MacPhillip, MacQuistan, MacRaith, MacRorie, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRurie, MacShannachan, MacSorley, MacSporran, MacSwan, MacSween, MacVarish, MacWhannell, Mark, Martin, May, Murdoch, Murdoson, Murphy, Norie, O'Drain, O'Shaig, O'Shannachan, O'Shammaig, Park, Paton, Philipson, Purcell, Reoch, Revie, Riach, Ronald, Ronaldson, Rorison, Sanderson, Shannon, Sorely, Sporran, Whannell, Wheelan, Wilkie, Wilkinson.

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MacDougall

The Gaelic "dubh gall" means "dark stranger" and it may have distinguished the darker Danes from the fair-haired Norwegians.

The first Dougall (or more correctly Dugall) was descended from Somerled, Lord of the Isles, at a time when the Western Isles were part of Norway. He was given the islands of Mull, Jura, Tiree, Coll, Kerrara and parts of Argyll and Lorn. At that time the islands were part of Norway and the mainland was ruled by the king of Scots.

Dugall's sons accompanied King Haakon of Norway when he attacked the island of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. One of the sons, Duncan, was appointed by Haakon to govern all the islands stretching from the Isle of Man to Lewis. Duncan was the first to adopt the name MacDugall.

In 1263, when Haakon's fleet arrived on the west coast heading to attack Scotland further south, the MacDugalls declined to join them and later attacked part of the Norse fleet near Mull. Haakon was defeated at the Battle of Largs and the Western Isles were ceded to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266.

The MacDougalls were kinsmen of the Comyns (the 4th chief had married John Comyn's sister) who were the rivals of Robert the Bruce. The MacDugalls fought against Bruce and Alastair MacDugall defeated him at a skirmish near Tyndrum. A reliquary brooch was ripped from Bruce as he made off - the Celtic "Brooch of Lorne" is still in the possession of the family. Alastair MacDugall later paid homage to Bruce but his son John supported King Edward of England. When Bruce became more established, he defeated the MacDugalls at Brander Pass and part of their territory was given to the Campbells. Later, when Robert the Steward became king, the MacDugalls came back in favour again and King David II restored their mainland estates. The MacDougalls built Ardchattan Priory and the clan chiefs were buried there until 1737. In the 15th century the MacDugalls were established around Oban and the coast south from there. The main castles of the MacDougalls were Dunstaffnage (captured by Robert the Bruce and made a royal castle with the Campbells as keepers) and latterly Dunollie, near Oban (pictured here). John MacDougall of that Ilk, the 22nd chief, raised 500 men and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in the 1715 Jacobite Uprising. He narrowly escaped transportation. His son, Alexander, wisely refrained from joining the 1745 Uprising (as did the Campbells). In 1746 the MacDougalls abandoned Dunollie Castle and built nearby Dunollie House.

MacDougalls also became established in Galloway and in the 15th century a number of clan members moved to Ireland as soldiers and settled there. Their name changed to MacDowell while in Ireland.

The MacDougall clan motto is "Buaidh no bas" which means "To conquer or die".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacDougall clan include Conacher, Cowan, MacConacher, MacCoull, MacCowan, MacDulothe, MacHowell, MacLintock, MacLucas and Macoull.

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MacDuff/Duff

The Gaelic word "dubh" meaning "black" is the origin of the name Duff which thus goes back further than recorded history. There was a king of Alba named Duff in the 10th century. It is doubtful whether there ever was a Macduff, Thane of Fife, as portrayed in Shakespeare's "Macbeth". But a grand-daughter of Queen Gruoch (who became Lady MacBeth) was from the line of King Dubh and she married Aedh, a son of Malcolm III. One of his descendants, Gillemichael MacDuff, the 3rd Earl of Fife, had a grandson Michael who was the source of the Wemyss family of MacDuff, while another descendant may have been the ancestor of the Duffs of Banffshire. The royal ancestry is acknowledged by the use of the lion rampant in the MacDuff crest.

Duncan MacDuff, who died in 1154 was made a hereditary earl by King David I and the Macduffs were given the honour of crowning the king. In 1306, when the Earl of Fife was held in England, it was Isabella, Countess of Buchan, his sister, who crowned Robert the Bruce at Scone.

In the reign of Robert II (1390-1406) David Duff was granted lands in Banffshire. The family prospered in the 17th century and in 1759 William Duff, the Member of Parliament for Banff, was made Earl of Fife and Viscount Macduff. It was he who had commissioned the construction of the impressive Duff House in Banff in 1740. The 2nd Earl of Fife changed the name of the Banffshire village of Doune to MacDuff at the end of the 18th century. The 4th Earl of Fife fought in the Peninsula War in 1808-14 and was made a Knight of the Thistle. In 1889, the 6th Earl married Princess Louise, eldest daughter of the future King Edward VII. He was made Duke of Fife. By a later marriage of his daughter, the title passed to Lord Carnegie and so the Carnegie chief now also carries the shield of Wemyss of Wemyss.

Duffy is an Irish version of the name although Duffie is usually a truncated version of MacPhee. Dow is another variant of Duff which is common in Aberdeenshire - where it was pronounced "doo".

The MacDuff clan motto is "Deus juvat" which means "God assists".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacDuff clan include Fife, Fyfe and Kilgour.

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MacFarlane

Gilchrist, the younger son of Alwyn, the Celtic Earl of Lennox, settled on the shores of Loch Long at Arrochar at the end of the 12th century. His grandson Malduin assisted Robert the Bruce when he was evading pursuit in that area and later fought at the Battle of Bannockburn. It was Malduin's son, Parlan (the Gaelic equivalent of Bartholomew), whose name began the Macpharlain or, later, MacFarlane clan.

King James I executed the last Celtic Earl of Lennox but instead of granting the earldom to the MacFarlanes, it was awarded to John Stewart, Lord Darnley. Initially the clan opposed the Stewarts but later the 10th chief married a younger daughter of Lord Darnley.

The 11th clan chief fell at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. His son Andrew earned the nickname of "The Wizard" because of the sleight of hand tricks which he learned on the Continent. It is Andrew who is credited with composing the clan pibroch "Thogail nam bo theid sinn" (Lifting the cattle). The clan's abilities as cattle rustlers led to the moon being called "MacFarlane's Lantern" in the area.

The Earl of Lennox at one stage supported King Henry VII of England and the MacFarlane's loyally did the same but later opposed the English at the Battle of Pinkie where the 13th chief and his brother were killed.

The MacFarlanes opposed Mary Queen of Scots and fought gallantly at the Battle of Langside in 1568, capturing three of the Queen's standards. The role played by the clan defending the crown of the infant King James VI, Mary's son, is shown in the clan crest which illustrates a crown being defended by a swordsman (see above). Continued loyalty to the Stuart descendants resulted in them joining the Marquess of Montrose in support of King Charles I. They participated in the victory at Inverlochy in 1645. But Cromwell later destroyed the clan castle of Inveruglas, on an island in Loch Lomond.

The 20th chief, Walter MacFarlane, was a scholar and historian and spent much of his life in Edinburgh, which may explain why the Macfarlanes did not participate to any great extent in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745. Even so, Walter was very much a Highland chief and objected to being called Mr MacFarlane by General Wade - "Mr MacFarlane may be said with equal propriety to many; but I and only I, am MacFarlane". When he died in 1767, the clan lands at Arrochar were sold. The direct male line of chiefs died out in 1886.

There was a branch of the clan in Aberdeenshire, in Braemar and into Strathspey.

The MacFarlane clan motto is "This I'll Defend".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacFarlane clan include Allan, Allanson, Bartholomew, Bryce, Caw, Kinnieson, Knox, MacAindra, MacAllan, MacCause, MacCaw, MacCondy, MacEoin, MacErachar, MacGaw, MacGeoch, MacInstalker, MacJames, MacNair, MacNider, MacNiter, MacRob, MacRobb, MacWalter, MacWilliam, Miller, Monach, Parlane, Robb, Stalker, Weaver, Webster, Wylie.

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Smith/McGowan

While not always thought of as a "Scottish" name, it is nevertheless the most common surname in Scotland (and in England as well as in the USA). As an occupational name for anyone working with metal - whether it was horse's shoes, farm implements or armour, it occurred throughout Scotland. In addition, the Gaelic equivalent of "Smith" translated into "MacGowan" and in the reign of David II there was a clan MacGowan on the river Nith in the Scottish Borders. The name Smith appears in records as early as 1199 when Robert the Smith witnessed a charter and William the Smith was a juror in an inquest in 1274. The most famous Smith in history was Adam Smith who changed economics forever with his "Wealth of Nations".

"Smith" is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of both clans Macpherson (through the MacGowan connection) and Mackintosh.

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MacGregor

The clan claims descent from Griogar, a son of Alpin, king of Dalriada but some genealogists question this. The first chief was probably "Gregor of the golden bridles" and his son, Iain Camm, succeeded as 2nd chief before 1390. Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Loch Awe to the Campbells and this covered much of the land occupied by the MacGregors. As a result, the clan were confined to Glenstrae.

In 1519 Iain of Glenstrae died without direct heirs and the Campbells supported the succession of Eian MacGregor (who was married to the daughter of Colin Campbell of Glenorchy). Eian's son, Alistair, fought at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 but, following his death, Colin Campbell refused to acknowledge the claim to the land by Gregor Roy MacGregor. Gregor was forced to wage a guerilla war for ten years but was captured and killed by the Campbells in 1570.

MacGregors were involved in the killing of John Drummond, the king's forester (after Drummond had hung some MacGregors for poaching) in 1589 and MacGregors took part in the Conflict of Glenfruin in 1603. With encouragement from the Campbells, King James VI and the Privy Council issued an edict banning the use of the name MacGregor. The clan chief was hanged at Edinburgh's Mercat Cross in 1604. Many adopted the name Murray, Graham, Stewart, Grant and even Campbell. The surname was not fully restored until 1774.

In the 18th century there were disputes over the chieftainship but eventually John Murray (later MacGregor) of Lanrick was recognised. The MacGregors of Glengyle disputed this but eventually, following a petition signed by 800 MacGregors, the Lord Lyon recognised him as chief in 1775. Rob Roy MacGregor (he was forced to use his mother's maiden name Campbell due to the proscription of the MacGregor name) was a younger son of MacGregor of Glengyle. He took part in the first Jacobite Uprising in 1715. Afterwards, his raids on Lowland farms and his prowess with the sword earned him a reputation which was considerably enhanced by Sir Walter Scott's romantic tales. Rob Roy died peacefully in 1734 and is buried with his family in the churchyard at Balquhidder. A 20th century addition to his grave is defiantly inscribed "MacGregor Despite Them"!

The MacGregor chief, Sir Evan MacGregor, played a prominent part in the visit of King George IV to Scotland in 1822 and he and his clansmen guarded the honours of Scotland (changed days from their former role as outlaws). And it was Sir Evan who had the honour of proposing the toast to the "chief of chiefs" King George, at the royal banquet in Edinburgh.

The MacGregor clan motto is "'S rioghal mo dhream" which means "My race is royal" and refers to the claim that they are descended from Griogar, a son of Alpin, king of Dalriada.

Despite its persecution and proscription, MacGregor is found frequently in Scotland. It was the 82nd most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacGregor clan include Black, Bowers, Bowmaker, Brewer, Caird, Comrie, Dochart, Docharty, Gregorson, Gergory, Greig, Grier, Grigor, Gruer, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, MacAra, MacConachie, MacGrewar, MacGrowther, MacGruder, MacGruther, MacLeister, MacNee, MacNeish, MacNie, MacNish, MacPetrie, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peterkin, Petrie, Skinner, Stringer, White, Whyte.

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MacIntyre

This name is derived from the Gaelic "mac an-t saor" or "son of the carpenter". Legend says that a nephew of Somerled, Lord of the Isles, bored holes in a galley of King Olaf of Norway which were only plugged when the king agreed to allow his daughter to marry Somerled. The descendants of this "carpenter" settled on the shores of Loch Etive by Ben Cruachan. But as a name based on a trade, it did not originate in just one place. There were a number of MacIntyres in Lorne and Glencoe in the 14th century. MacIntyres also had a tenancy agreement with the Campbells for Glen Noe, annual payment being a snowball and a white calf. This was converted to a monetary value in the 18th century but when they could no longer pay this, the MacIntyres lost their land in Glen Noe. The clan chief emigrated to America where the line continues.

One branch of the clan became hereditary foresters to the Stewarts and then the Campbells and others were hereditary pipers to the chiefs of the clans MacDonald and Menzies.

A number of MacIntyres became attached to the Stewarts of Appin and fought under their banner at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The MacIntyre clan chief was prevailed upon by his Campbell neighbours (who were government supporters) not to support the Jacobite Uprising but a number of his clan no doubt slipped away to join Bonnie Prince Charlie. In the same battle at Culloden, Duncan Ban MacIntyre, a fine Gaelic poet, fought on the Hanoverian side.

The MacIntyre clan motto is "Per ardua" which means "Through difficulties".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacIntyre clan include MacTear, Tyre and Wright.

MacIntyre was the 94th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Mackay

Also known as Morgan (son of Magnus in the early 14th century) and by their Gaelic name "Macodh" or "son of Hugh" (though which Hugh, nobody knows, though Aodh, abbot of Dunkeld has been suggested). Malcolm Macaodh was married to the sister of Somerled of the Isles and became Earl of Ross in the 12th century and the clan became established in Strathnaver in Caithness. When the 2nd Lord of the Isles invaded the area to claim the earldom of Ross, Angus Dubh Macaodh opposed him but was defeated and captured. However, he married his captor's daughter (who was also a granddaughter of King Robert II) and gained substantial land. Angus was killed at the Battle of Drumnacoub in 1429.

The Mackays had to defend their territory against their powerful neighbours the Earls of Sutherland but eventually had to sell out the last of their property in 1829 through debt. In 1626 Sir Donald Mackay raised an army of over 3,000 men and fought in the Thirty Years War in Bohemia and later in Denmark. Donald Mackay was created Baronet of Nova Scotia on 28th March 1627. He became Baron Reay (after the name of the clan territory) in 1628 and fought for King Charles I in the Civil War. Later, Hugh Mackay of Scouri commanded the forces of William and Mary at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. Staunchly Protestant, they fought against the Stewarts in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745. In the 19th century the close links with the continent and Holland resulted in the title of 12th Lord Reay passing to Baron Eric Mackay van Ophement in the Netherlands. The next chief of the clan became a British subject in 1938 and worked in the Foreign Office during WW2.

The Irish MacKays, McCoys and Magees probably originated in Scotland, crossing to the Ulster Plantations in the 17th century.

The clan motto is "Manu forti" (With a strong hand).

The Maccrie, Macghee, Macghie, Mackee, Macvail, Scobie, and Bain families are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackay clan.

Mackay was the 42nd most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Mackenzie

Son of Kenneth" in its Gaelic form of 'Coinneach' (meaning fair or comely). The Mackenzies are said to descend from Gillean of the Aird, the 12th century ancestors of the Earl of Ross and by the end of the 13th century they were settled at Eilean Donan, now one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. King Alexander III gave the castle to Colin Fitzgerald, son of an Irish Earl and the family changed their name to Mackenzie. In 1362, Murdoch Mackenzie was granted lands of Kintail by King David II. Initially dependent on the Macdonalds, the clan lent their loyal support to the Stewart dynasty and defeated the Macdonalds at the Battle of Blair-na-park. They were rewarded with extended lands in the north-west following the overthrow of the Lord of the Isles. By good marriages and further service to King James IV, the clan extended further, including parts of the island of Lewis. Their chief was captured at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, supporting James IV. Colin, the 11th chief, fought in the army of Mary Queen of Scots when she was defeated at Battle of Langside in 1568. In 1607, Kenneth the 12th chief was given lands of Lochalsh and Lochcarron so that all the land from Ardnamurchan to Strathnaver were in possession of Mackenzies. Two earldoms were granted to the Mackenzies, Seaforth and Cromartie. As Royalists supporting the Jacobite Uprising, however, lands were forfeited, though later restored. In 1979 Roderick, 4th Earl of Seaforth was recognised as chief of Clan MacKenzie by the Lord Lyon.

The Brahan Seer who made a number of prophecies in the 17th century which are said to have come true (including oil being found in the North Sea) was a Mackenzie. Sir George Mackenzie, who also lived in the 17th century, founded the Advocates Library in Edinburgh. Sir Alexander MacKenzie who was born in Inverness and emigrated to Canada around 1772 became a fur trader and explorer and made epic journeys to the Arctic and Pacific coasts. His namesake, Alexander Mackenzie was born in Dunkeld and emigrated to Canada in 1842 and became the second premier of the Domionion of Canada. Mackenzies have also made a contribution to literature - Henry Mackenzie (1745-1831) and of course Sir Compton Mackenzie.

The clan motto is "Luceo non uro" (I shine, not burn). Also used is the Gaelic motto "Cuidich 'n righ" (Help the king).

The Charles, Kenneth, Macconnach, Mackerlich, Macvanish, clans are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackenzie clan.

Mackenzie was the 41st most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Mackinnon

The clan claim kinship with both King Kenneth mac Alpin (through his brother Fingon - hence "mac Fhionghinn" meaning "son of the fair one") and with St Columba. The clan slogan was "Cumhnich Bas Alpin" meaning "Remember the death of Alpin".

Their original territory was in the south of the island of Mull (and the clan provided successive abbots at Iona) but in the 15th century they moved to the north of the island, after losing out to the MacLean clan following a crime by the chief.

The clan also held land in Strathaird in Skye which may have been granted by Robert the Bruce after the clan had supported him during his time as a fugitive. The Mackinnons supported the efforts to restore the MacDonald Lordship of the Isles and Ewen Mackinnon was part of the council of Donald Dubh in the last rising in 1545.

The clan stronghold was at Dunakin which reputedly belonged to a Norse princess called "Saucy Mary" who married the Mackinnon chief. The castle (initially called Dun Haakon) overlooked the water between Skye and the mainland and the Mackinnons ran a chain across the narrows and levied tolls on passing ships. King Haakon IV gathered his fleet below the castle before sailing to his defeat at the Battle of Largs in 1263.

Later, the Mackinnons supported the Stewart kings and Lachlan Mackinnon, the 28th chief was knighted by King Charles II before the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Later chiefs supported both the Old and Young Pretenders in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745. After the defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Mackinnons sheltered Prince Charles Edward and took him by ship to Mallaig. The chief was captured and imprisoned on the return voyage. When the chief was later released, he was told the king was being "generous". He replied "Had I the King in my power as I am in his, I would return him the compliment of sending him back to his own country". At that time the king was George II, who had German roots.

Within two generations of the 1745 Uprising, the clan had lost all its lands through debt. The direct line of chiefs died out and the title was claimed by a distant relative.

Some bearers of the name believed that the name came from the Gaelic "mac Ionmhuinn" meaning "son of the loved one" and when their name became anglicised, it became the surname Love.

The Mackinnon clan motto is "Audentes fortuna juvat" which means "Fortune assists the daring".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackinnon clan include MacKinney, MacKinning, MacKinven, MacMorran, Morren, Sherry.

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Mackintosh/MacIntosh

Derived from the Gaelic "mac an tiosich" or "son of the leader or chief" (similar to the Irish "taoseach" or prime minister). The clan claim descent from the royal house of Duff, through Shaw, the second son of Duncan Macduff, Earl of Fife, of the royal house of Dalriada. Shaw was part of a force led by King Malcolm IV which repressed a rebellion in Moray in 1160. Granted lands in the valley of the river Findhorn, the lands of Petty became the centre of clan territory. The 5th chief led his clan at the Battle of Largs in 1263, during the reign of King Alexander III. His son was raised by his uncle, the Lord of the Isles and he married the daughter of the chief of Clan Chattan in Lochaber, extending the clan lands to Glenloy and Loch Arkaig. After that, the Clan Chattan, which developed into a loose confederation of independent clans, was usually led by a Mackintosh (though challenged on occasions by the Macphersons).

The chief and his clansmen supported Robert the Bruce, particularly against the Comyns and they also supported the Marquess of Montrose in his campaign on behalf of King Charles I. 800 clansmen supported the Jacobite cause in 1715. Many Mackintosh clansmen were transported to America after the defeat of that uprising. When Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland in 1745, the clan chief was absent (he was a captain in the Black Watch) but his wife raised men for the Prince's army. During the retreat in 1746, Prince Charles was received by Lady Mackintosh at Moy and the Prince's bed is still to be seen in Moy Hall today.

In more modern times, Charles Macintosh invented a fabric waterproofing process in 1823 which became the Macintosh raincoat. Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) was an innovative and influential architect, his works including the Glasgow School of Art, Queen's Cross Church and the Hill House in Helensburgh.

The Mackintosh clan motto is "Touch not the cat bot a glove" which is almost identical to that of the Macphersons and Chattan.

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackintosh clan include Ayson, Crerar, Dallas, Doles, Elder, Esson, Glennie, Hardie, Hardy, Higginson, Hossack, MacAndrew, MacCartney, MacConchy, MacGlashan, MacHardie, MacHardy, MacKeggie, Mackieson, MacKilligan, MacLerie, MacNiven, MacRitchie, Niven, Noble, Paul, Ritchie, Smith, Thain, Tosh.

MacIntosh was the 68th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Maclachlan

"Lachlan" was a popular first name in Celtic times. It came from the Gaelic "loch-lann" meaning "fjord land" and was used as the Gaelic word for Norway. There is good evidence that the MacLachlans in Scotland were descended from "Niall of the Nine Hostages" who was High King of Ireland around 400AD. The MacLochlainns ruled over the whole of Ulster until 1241 when they were defeated by King Brian O'Neill.

The Maclachlans were well established in Scotland in Lorne, Argyll, in the 13th century. Ewan Maclachlan was one of the 2,000 landowners and clergy who signed an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England in the "Ragman Roll" of 1296. Gillespie Maclachlan was a supporter of Robert the Bruce and was one of the nobles who attended his first Parliament at St Andrews in 1308.

In the 15th century the clan had consolidated their position and became known as the "Lords of Strathlachlan". Somehow, they managed to avoid coming into conflict with their powerful close neighbours the Campbells. There is legend that following a marriage between a Campbell and a Maclachlan a local "Brounie" spirit was so annoyed that he made the wedding feast disappear! Relations with the Lamonts were not always so cordial and the Maclachlans may have been involved with the Campbells in the massacre of the Lamonts in 1646.

The Maclachlan lands ran along both sides of Loch Fyne (a sea loch) and branches of the clan became established near Loch Awe. The clan's centre was Castle Lachlan, south of Strachur, on the other side of Loch Fyne from the Campbell seat at Inveraray Castle.

Unlike the Campbells, the Maclachlans were staunch Jacobites, supporting Viscount Dundee at the Battle of Kiliiecrankie in 1689, James VIII in the 1715 Uprising and again in support of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. The chief was at the head of his clansmen at Culloden in 1746 and lost his life in the cannon fire; his son was also killed in the battle. News of the chief's death is said to have been broken at Strathlachlan when his riderless horse came home. Retribution after the Uprising resulted in Castle Lachlan being left as a ruin. The estates were forfeited but later returned (thanks to the intervention of the Duke of Argyll). A new mansion house was built not far from the ruined castle and it is today still the seat of the chief of the Maclachlans.

In the West of Scotland in particular the name is usually pronounced "MacGloughlin" and in Ireland, where the name is frequently found, it is often spelt that way or as "MacLaughlin".

The Maclachlan clan motto is "Fortis et fidus" which means "Brave and Faithfull".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Maclachlan clan include Ewing, Gilchrist, Lachie, Lauchlan, MacGilchrist, MacLaghlan.

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MacLean

The name MacLean is derived from the Gaelic "mac gille Eoin" - son of the servant of John. The spelling "MacLaine" is perhaps a better guide to how it should be pronounced. In its early days, the clan was known as Clan Gillean (which gave rise to the surname Gilzean, more often found in the Lowlands). "Gillean of the Battleaxe" is said to be the founder of the clan and he fought at the Battle of Largs against the Vikings in 1263. His great-great-grandson settled in Mull and in 1390, Donald, Lord of the Isles gave land to his two brothers-in-law, thus starting the two main branches of the clan - MacLean of Duart and MacLaine of Lochbuie (both on the island of Mull where the name is still frequently found). The clan extended its influence to other Hebridean islands such as Tiree and Islay and onto the mainland. "Red Hector of the Battles" from Duart fought for the MacDonald Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411 and Lachlan of Duart was killed at the Battle of Flodden.

Sir Lachlan Maclean was made a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1631 and he brought his clan to support the Marquis of Montrose campaign on behalf of King Charles I. The clan was often in conflict with the Campbells and in 1679 the Campbells gained possession of Duart when the MacLeans fell into debt.

The MacLeans rose in support of the Jacobite Uprising in both 1715 and 1745 - the clan chief was killed at the Battle of Culloden.

Castle Duart, the traditional home of the MacLeans, fell into ruins but was restored early in the 20th century by Sir Fitzroy Donald MacLean and is once again the seat of the clan chief.

The exploits of soldier and diplomat Fitzroy Hew MacLean, who parachuted into Yugoslavia to assist the resistance in WW2, are said to have been the origins of Ian Fleming's James Bond and 007. Sorley Maclean, born in 1911, is a distinguished poet. Novelist Alistair MacLean is known for books such as "HMS Ulysses" and "The Guns of Navaronne"

The clan motto is "Virtue mine honour".

The Beath, Black, Clanachan, Garvie, Gillon, Lean, MacBeath, MacBeth, MacCormick, MacCracken, MacVeagh, MacVey, Paton, names are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackenzie clan.

MacLean was the 46th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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MacLeod

The name was derived from an Old Norse nickname "Ljótr" meaning "ugly" and the original "Leod" (pronounced "lodge" in Gaelic) was said to have been descended from the Norse King Godfrey of the Isle of Man and the Hebrides. The MacLeods became established on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and also on Skye, Assynt and Strathpeffer on the other side of Ross and Cromarty. Castle Leod in Strathpeffer was eventually taken over by the MacKenzies.

The MacLeods were supportive of the Lord of the Isles, including participating in the Battle of Harlaw in 1411, which did not endear them to the King of Scotland at the time. The chief failed to produce a charter confirming ownership of Lewis and King James VI attempted to establish immigrants from Fife. While this did not succeed, MacKenzie of Kintail obtained possession of Lewis following this.

It was a MacLeod chief who established a college for MacCrimmon pipers in the middle of the 16th century. Chief Rory "Mor" MacLeod who lived at Dunvegan Castle on Skye was knighted around 1613.

No friend of the Stewart kings, many of the MacLeods did not get involved in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745 (which may explain why Dunvegan Castle on Skye survived as the home of the clan chief for 700 years). Even so, it was Donald MacLeod who escorted Bonnie Prince Charlie for seven weeks, as he evaded capture after the Battle of Culloden. Another Donald MacLeod published a book "Gloomy Memories" in Canada of his experiences during the Highland Clearances in Sutherland.

In 1935, the chieftainship passed to Dame Flora MacLeod (who was the last person to be born at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the UK Prime Minister). Clan gatherings have been held at Dunvegan Castle which holds the "Fairy Flag of Dunvegan" and a medieval drinking horn (which holds a bottle and a half of claret) which is used at the inauguration of clan chiefs.

The clan motto is "Hold fast".

A number of clans are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Mackenzie clan - Askey, Beton, Harold, Lewis, Macaskill, McCabe, MacCaig, MacCaskill, MacClure, MacCorkindale, MacLimmor, MacHarold, Mackaskill, MacLewis, MacLure, Tolmie.

MacLeod was the 45th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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MacMillan

The MacMillans are descended from Gilchrist, one of six sons of Cormac, the Bishop of Dunkeld around 1100. Gilchrist was a monk in the Celtic church in Moray and his tonsured hair cut is rendered in Gaelic "Mhaoil-Iain" or "Gille Maolin". Around 1160 King Malcolm IV removed the MacMillans from Lochaber to Lawers in Perthshire. However, John, son of Malcolm Mor MacMillan returned to Lochaber in 1335 and the clan remained there for centuries until they were forced to leave by the Camerons.

The clan fought at the Battle of Bannockburn with Robert the Bruce in 1314 and were granted lands at Knapdale around 1360. A MacMillan tower, near Castle Sween is a reminder of their time there. Other branches of the clan settled in Galloway and Arran. It was Alexander MacMillan from Arran who established the publishing firm of MacMillan. Harold MacMillan, UK Prime Minister in 1957-1963 came from this family.

By 1742 the direct line of the MacMillan chieftainship had become extinct and the chieftainship passed to MacMillan of Dunmore at the side of Loch Tarbert. In 1951 Sir Gordon Holmes MacMillan of Finlaystone was recognised as clan chief by the Lyon Court. (The illustration here is of Finlaystone where clan gatherings have been held).

McMillan was the 67th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The clan motto is "Miseris sucurrere disco" ("I learn to succour the unfortunate").

The Brown and MacBaxter families are septs (sub-branches) of MacMillan.

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MacNab

There was no prohibition on clerics in the Celtic Christian church marrying and so it came about that "mac an aba" - son of the abbot - became established in Glendochart in Perthshire. The progenitor of the clan is traditionally the abbot of Glendochart and Strathearn who was a younger son of Kenneth Macalpin. Since the abbots were hereditary, the first MacNab chiefs were also the abbots of the monastery.

The MacNabs supported the Comyns in the Wars of Independence (Angus MacNab was a brother-in-law of John Comyn who was murdered by Robert the Bruce in 1306) and their lands were confiscated by The Bruce. However, the barony of Bovain in Glendochart was restored to Gilbert MacNab by Bruce's son, King David II, in 1336. In 1954, when the Lord Lyon was looking at the succession of MacNab chiefs he named Gilbert as the first undisputed chief though there had probably been many generations before him.

In the 16th century the MacNabs expanded, stretching from Tyndrum in Perthshire to Dalmally in Argyll. The clan castle was at Eilean Ran on an island on the river Lochay. But by the end of the century all the land had been mortgaged to the Campbells of Glenorchy and they became a "broken" or landless clan.

In 1612, a party of MacNabs, led by "Smooth John" MacNab, carried a boat over the hills from Loch Tay to Loch Earn so that they could attack and slaughter the MacNeishes. The mountainous terrain suggests that this would be impossible but in 1965 a group of Black Watch territorials showed that it was feasible. "Smooth John" supported Montrose against the Campbells. At one point he was captured and managed to escape on the eve of his execution but died later in 1653 after surviving the Battle of Worcester in the Civil War. In the see-saw of power, the MacNabs lost their lands to the Campbells at that time - but regained them again after the Restoration in 1660.

The MacNab chiefs did not involve the clan in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 and 1745 but the 15th chief was a major in the Hanoverian army and was captured at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.

At the turn of the 18th century, Sir Henry Raeburn painted a famous portrait of the "The MacNab" a Chief of the clan, dressed as a colonel of the Breadalbane Volunteers. It shows a stern, forceful character, as befits a chief of a proud clan. But although he amassed considerable estates during his lifetime, he also consumed large quantities of whisky and he died in 1816 owing a large sum of money. Although he had many illegitimate children, he left no direct heir. His nephew Archibald tried to escape his creditors by fleeing to Ontario in Canada where he attempted, unsuccessfully, to set up a clan system amongst the many MacNabs who had already emigrated there. Later, a member of the clan, Sir Allan Napier MacNab, became Prime Minister of Upper Canada.

Some MacNab lands were recovered in the 20th century and the present chief lives in Kinnell House.

The MacNab clan motto is "Timor omnis abesto" which means "Let fear be far from all".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacNab clan include Abbot, Abbotson and Gilfillan.

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MacNeil

Origins
The name is derived from Niall, a descendant of an Irish prince who married into the royal house of Dalriada. He was said to be descended from "Niall of the Nine Hostages" a king of Tara in Ireland who ruled around 400. They were originally confined to the islands of the Hebrides, mainly Barra, Gigha and Colonsay and a small enclave in Argyll at Taynish.

MacNeil of Barra
The first Niall came to Barra around 1049 and is considered to be the first chief of the clan. Neil MacNeil was the fifth chief and was described as a prince at the Council of the Isles held in 1252. He was still chief after the Battle of Largs in 1263 which ended the domination of the Western Isles by the Vikings from Norway. Neil's son, Neil Og Macneil, is believed to have fought for Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314 and was given land in northern Kintyre.

Gilleonan, the 9th chief, was was given a charter of Barra and Boisdale in 1427 from the Lord of the Isles. In the 16th century, the 12th chief (also named Gilleonan) attended a meeting with King James V at Portree, along with a number of other island lords. He was promptly imprisoned for many years, despite being promised a safe conduct by the king. He was not released until 1542 when the Regent Moray tried to use the chiefs in the isles to inhibit the power of the Campbells in Argyll.

In the 16th century, the MacNeils augmented their income with a bit of piracy and were sometimes referred to as the "last of the Vikings". The 15th chief was denounced so many times that he was labelled a "hereditary outlaw". On one occasion the chief was tricked into appearing before King James VI for attacking the English ships of Queen Elizabeth. When asked why he had done so, he replied that he thought he was doing the King a favour by annoying the woman who had beheaded the monarch's mother (Mary Queen of Scots). Eventually, the king issued letters requiring loyal subjects to "extirpate and root out" both the chief and members of the clan. In 1610, the chief's nephews attacked the seat of the clan chief at Kiessimul Castle, captured their uncle and put him in chains. The chief's son became head of the clan and fought for King Charles II at the Battle of Worcester. The next chief, Roderick Dhu, was received at court in London and granted a royal charter for all the lands of Barra. The clan remained loyal to the crown - including the "Old Pretender" when the Jacobite Uprising of 1715 took place.

The MacNeil stronghold on Barra was Kisimul Castle. There may have been a building there as early as the 11th century but the present structure probably dates from the 13th century but the dates are uncertain. The castle was beseiged several time in the various clan wars. But when the 21st clan chief became bankrupt in 1848, it was sold along with Barra to the Gordons of Cluny who later sold it to the Cathcarts. The line of the hereditary chief passed to a cousin who had emigrated to North America earlier in the 19th century. In a romantic turnaround, a later clan chief, Robert Lister MacNeil, came back from America to Barra in 1937 and purchased the castle and subsequently devoted his life to restoring it. His son, Ian Roderick MacNeil (the 46th of the Clan MacNeil if you start with Niall of the Nine Hostages) is a distinguished lawyer and has continued that task. Recently the National Trust has taken over the restoration work on a long-term lease (for a Pound a year and a bottle of whisky!)

MacNeill of Colonsay
The members of the clan who lived on the island of Colonsay usually spelt the name MacNeill. They had come to Colonsay from Taynish (on the Argyll mainland) and the island of Gigha. Torquil MacNeill of Taynish was granted the islands of Gigha and Danna and on the mainland in 1440 by Alexander, Lord of the Isles. Torquil became keeper of Sween Castle in 1449 but the castle passed to the MacMillans through marriage to a female heiress when the male line failed.

Torquil MacNeill had a large number of children who formed many minor branches, creating a complicated genealogy (which the MacNeill children were said to be required to recite backwards every Sunday!). Gigha was sold to the Campbells in 1554 but was later repurchased by the end of the 16th century.

MacNeills had been established on Colonsay from early times and in 1700 Donald MacNeil of Crear acquired the island from the Earl of Argyll, in exchange for his own estates. But when the kelp industry collapsed in the second half of the 19th century, the island was sold to pay off debts. The chieftainship passed to a MacNeill in New Zealand.

MacNeills in Galloway
A separate family of MacNeills was founded by a Gilbert MacNeill and was granted lands in the Rhinns of Galloway by Robert the Bruce. Another Galloway family, the MacNeillys, are unrelated - their name is derived from "mac an fhilidh" meaning son of the poet.

The MacNeil clan motto is "Buaidh no bas" which means "Conquer or die".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacNeil clan include MacGugan, MacNeilage, MacNeiledge, MacNeilly, Neal, Neil, Neil, Neill, Neilson, Nelson.

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Macpherson

Dating from the time of the Celtic church, the name Macpherson is from the Gaelic "Mac-a Phearsain" meaning "son of the parson" in the days when celibacy of the priesthood was not enforced. The clan originated in Lochaber but Robert the Bruce gave them land in Badenoch as thanks for their assistance in defeating the Comyns (or Cummings). The clan later acquired land in Strathisla. The clan was part of the confederation of Clan Chattan. Indeed, Muriach, a main ancestor of Macphersons, was chief of the Clan Chattan in the 12th century. The Macphersons and the Mackintoshes were frequent rivals for the leadership of the Clan Chattan. As there would be other parsons in Scotland, the name is also found in other parts of the country (but in smaller numbers).

Tradition has it that the Macpherson who first obtained the Badenoch lands had three sons and the Macphersons are sometimes called the "Clan of the Three Brothers"

Macphersons were always fierce supporters of the monarch and fought with Montrose in the Civil War (1642-49). Euan Macpherson of Cluny (the line recognised as the chiefs of the clan) was a valiant leader of 600 members of the clan during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising and defeated a larger force at Clifton Moor in Westmorland during the retreat from Derby. Cluny Castle was burned in 1746 by Hanoverian forces (but rebuilt in 1784). Euan evaded capture for nearly ten years after Culloden but eventually escaped to France.

James Macpherson (1736-96) from Kingussie perpetrated the literary fraud of the "Ossian Verses" in which he claimed to have found a large number of lost Gaelic verses of the 3rd century by "Ossian" (most of which he had written himself). Even so, the "Works of Ossian" gave a stimulus to the Romantic movement in Scotland.

The Macpherson estate at Cluny was bankrupt by the end of the 19th century. In recent years clan members have purchased the main relics of the clan and these are the basis of a clan museum at Newtonmore, which opened in 1952.

The Macpherson clan motto is "Touch not the cat but a glove".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Macpherson clan include Carson, Cattanach, Clark, Clarke, Clarkson, Clerk, Cluny, Ferson, Gillespie, Gillies, Goudie, Gow, Lees, MacCunn, MacCurrach, MacFall, MacGowan, MacKeith, MacLeish, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, Murdoch, Pearson, Smith.

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MacRae

The name may be derived from the Gaelic "mac rath" meaning "son of Grace" and is found initially around Beauly, north of Inverness, in the 12/13th centuries before moving to Wester Ross in the 14th century. Staunch allies of the MacKenzies, they looked after the MacKenzie castle of Eilean Donan. At one time they were called "MacKenzie's shirt of mail" and they were well known for their fighting qualities. When the MacDonald Lord of the Isles attempted to regain his title in 1539, he besieged Eilean Donan Castle and a MacRae is reputed to have killed him with an arrow.

The MacRaes benefitted from the good fortune of the MacKenzies and became hereditary constables of Eilean Donan. The castle was restored by a MacRae descendant in the 1930s and may now be the most photographed castle in Scotland.

In the 17th century Duncan MacRae became known as a writer of Gaelic poetry and compiled an anthology of Gaelic verse known as the Fernaig Manuscript. Duncan also became known as "Duncan of the Silver Cups" because of his magnificent tableware.

The MacRaes were well to the fore supporting the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. In 1719, the chief of the Clan MacKenzie, the Earl of Seaforth, landed at Eilean Donan with a small force of Spaniards in support of the Jacobite "Old Pretender". But a government naval force arrived and bombarded and destroyed the castle. Perhaps as result of these earlier experiences, only individual clansmen rose in support of Charles Edward Stewart in 1745.

When the Earl of Seaforth raised the 78th Seaforth Highlanders in 1778, so many of the regiment were MacRaes that it became known as "the MacRaes."

In the Lowlands, the name was sometimes contracted to Reith - Lord Reith was the famous general manager of the BBC in its early days. He established the standards and ethos of that corporation.

The MacRae clan motto is "Fortitudine" which means "With fortitude".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacRae clan include Macara, MacCraw, MacCreath, MacGrath, Macra, Macrach, MacRaith, MacRath, Raith.

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Malcolm/MacCallum

The surnames Malcolm and MacCallum are both derived from the Gaelic word "calaman" which means a dove; this came to symbolise the Holy Spirit and the Latin equivalent was "columba" - the name of the Irish Saint Columba who established the monastery on Iona. Followers of Columba were "maol Chaluim" which gradually became the name Malcolm. While the two names may be from the same roots, there was no genealogical relationship between the two (although an early MacCallum chief did change his name to Malcolm, confusing the situation).

From the 10th century onwards, there were four kings named Malcolm and there were three landowners named "Maucolum" ( from Berwick, Perth and Montrose) who were signatories to the Ragman Roll in 1296.

The clan MacCallum became established in northern Argyll and in 1414 Sir Duncan Campbell granted lands to them at Craignish peninsula, not far from Kilmartin where family legend says one of the early branches of the name became established. The Campbells also made Ranald MacCallum hereditary keeper of Craignish castle. The Campbells also granted land to Donald, son of Gillespie MacCallum, another branch of the clan in Duntrune, adding to property already owned at Poltalloch in Argyll. The Poltalloch MacCallums have held the chieftainship of the clan from that time but later adopted the name Malcolm. The 15th Laird of Poltalloch was raised to the peerage as Lord Malcolm of Poltalloch late in the 19th century. However, the home of the present clan chief is now Duntrune Castle.

In the middle of the 17th century, Zachary MacCallum met a party of MacDonalds (enemies of the Campbells) and killed seven of them before being scythed down. Neil MacCallum, a nephew of Zachary, served in the French navy and is reputed to have been the father of the Marquis de Montcalm, who defended Quebec against the Highlanders who scaled the Heights of Abraham there, bringing to an end French rule in Canada.

The surname Malcolm is associated initially with Dunbartonshire and Stirling in the 14th century and later in Dumfriesshire. In the 18th century, George Malcolm of that county had three sons, all of whom became Knights of the Order of the Bath, two as generals and one as an admiral. General Sir John Malcolm was the British representative in the court of the Shah of Persia and published a history of that country in 1815 which is still highly regarded. His brother, Admiral Sir Pultney Malcolm commanded St Helena during Napoleon's exile there after the Battle of Waterloo.

The Malcolm/MacCallum clan motto is "In ardua tendit" which means "He has attempted difficult things".

Malcolmson is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the Malcolm/MacCallum clan.

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Marshall

The name originated from the French word "maréchal" meaning "horse servant" though nowadays it would be a farrier or blacksmith. It was introduced into Britain following the Norman Conquest. As with the occupational names of "constable" or "steward", the role for some became high-ranking when working for the monarch - the Keith family, for example, became Earls Marischal of Scotland, though they did not adopt Marshall as a surname.

The earliest record of the name is Maledoni Marescal in 1136, who witnessed a gift of the lands of Partick to the church in Glasgow; Partick is still the name of a district in that city. Later in the 12th century, Gillecolm Marescald witnessed a charter by William, the Lion of Kinbethac to the earl of Strathern and Guidone Marescaldus witnessed a charter by the bishop of St Andrews. Early in the 13th century, Adam, marescallus of the bishop of Glasgow, witnessed a sale of land in Glasgow. All of these would indicate that the bearers of the name were people in responsible positions (and who could read and write in an age when illiteracy was the norm).

As landed gentry, a number of Marschals were amongst those required by King Edward I of England to pay homage and sign the "Ragman Roll" in 1296.

William "Billy" Marshall (reputedly born in Ayrshire around 1672 and lasting until 1792) was of gypsy (tinker) stock, who became famous as a boxer - and a bandit. He became "king" of the tinkers in Galloway and proceeded to terrorise much of the countryside. His legendary exploits also include deserting from the army no less than seven times and from the navy three times. He is reputed to have married on 17 occasions, had countless children (both in and out of wedlock) and fathered at least four children after the age of 100. His gravestone stands in the cemetery of St Cuthbert's in Kircudbright.

William Marshall, who was born in Fochabers (now in Morayshire) in 1748, was a real "Jock of All Trades". He was a butler to the Duke of Gordon for more than forty years but was also estate factor, surveyor, architect, justice of the peace - and a clock maker and astronomer. In addition to all that, he was a famous fiddler and composer for that instrument. He introduced a number of innovations in fiddle music. His best known composition is a setting of the Robert Burns piece "Of a' the airts the wind can blaw".

Keith is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the Marshall clan.

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Maxwell

he name comes from a pool on the river Tweed near Kelso and is thought to be named after Maccus, son of Undewyn, a Saxon lord who was given a grant of land on the Tweed by King David I before 1150. The fishery attached to it was called Maccus's Wiel (from the Old English "wael" or whirlpool). Not far away, in Roxburghshire, the town (and surname) of Maxton may have come from the same Maccus. His grandson, John of Maccuswell was Chamberlain of Scotland. John's brother, Sir Aymer, was also chamberlain and it is from him that a number of the Maxwell branches are descended.

In the Wars of Independence the Maxwells recognised John Balliol as king and Sir Aymer's grandson held Caerlaverock for the English. Later, however, he joined Robert the Bruce and was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath (Scotland's predecessor to the US Declaration of Independence).

As the Black Douglas family declined in power in the 15th century, the Maxwells rose in stature and held the title Lord Maxwell from 1424. John, the 4th Lord Maxwell was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

The Maxwells were frequently wardens of the Western Marches although at times they were in conflict with the Johnstons who also held the title at various times. The 6th Lord Maxwell (who was also Earl of Morton after the execution of the Douglas holder of that title and who was linked to a number of plots to restore Mary Queen of Scots to the throne) was killed in a battle with the Johnstons near Lockerbie in 1593. The 7th Lord Maxwell later killed Johnston of that ilk in 1608 and was executed for that in 1613.

The 8th Lord Maxwell was created Earl of Nithsdale and the 5th Earl of Nithsdale supported the first Jacobite Uprising in 1715. He was captured and sentenced to death for treason but his wife helped him escape from the Tower of London on the eve of the execution, disguised as a maidservant .

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Melville

The name originated from the barony of Malaville or Malleville in the Pays de Caux in Normandy. Guillame (William) de Malleville accompanied William the Conqueror to England and fought at the Battle of Hastings. Like many of major Scottish families, the de Mallevilles came to Scotland with King David I when he returned in 1124 after 30 years spent at the English court. They were granted lands in Midlothian, outside Edinburgh by King David. The first record of the name was as a witness to a charter granted by Malcolm IV, later in the 12th century. Galfrid de Maleville was a guardian of Edinburgh Castle in Malcolm's reign. A Richard Maluvell was one of those captured with King William at the Battle of Alnwick in 1174. Richard Maluvell's grand-daughter inherited the Barony of Melville which passed to the Ross family when she married Sir John Ross of Halkhead and the barony remained in that family until 1705.

Members of the family spread across Scotland and there are a number of documents with their signatures during the 12th and 13th century. When King Edward I of England demanded that all Scottish landowners and clergy should render homage to him and sign the "Ragman Rolls" in 1296, there were signatures from no less than twelve "Maleuill" (and other variant spellings), from as far afield as Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Fife, Roxburgh and Peebles. Sir Johannes Maleuill, who signed the Rolls, was one of the major barons of Scotland at that time. His descendant, Sir John Melville of Raith was a favourite of King James V in the 16th century and obtained lands at Murdocairnie in Fife. Despite the royal patronage, he was an early supporter of the religious Reformation. As a friend of some of those who conspired to kill Cardinal Beaton of St Andrews, he was subsequently executed in 1550 on the evidence of a forged letter.

Sir Robert Melville of Murdocairnie was the keeper of the Palace of Linlithgow at the end of the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. Twenty years later, as an ambassador at the court of Queen Elizabeth, he was so outspoken about the sentence of death which had been pronounced on Mary by an English court, that he was threatened with imprisonment, despite his diplomatic status. Later, he became Vice-Chancellor of Scotland and took the title "Lord Murdocairnie". In 1616 he was created Baron Melville of Monymail. His son, also a judge, was given the title Lord Monymail in 1627 by King Charles I.

The fourth Lord Melville, a staunch Protestant, supported an unsuccessful rebellion by James, Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of King Charles II. He had to flee abroad but returned with Queen Mary and William of Orange and became Secretary of State for Scotland and the first Earl of Melville. Despite trying to exercise a moderating influence on the conflict between the presbyterian and episcopal factions, there was nevertheless a witch-hunt of episcopalian ministers by the Church of Scotland. He married the granddaughter of the Covenanting general, Sandy Lesley and through his wife inherited the title of the earldom of Leven and the Castle of Balgonie in Fife (pictured here). Subsequent heirs have held the courtesy title of Lord Balgonie.

The family seat is Glenferness in Nairn. Melville Castle in Lothian, the original family home, was rebuilt by the Dundas family who took the title "Viscount Melville" although they have no connection with the Melville line.

The Melville clan has two mottoes - "Pro rege et patria" which means "For king and country" and "Denique coelum" which means "Heaven at last".

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Menzies

Sadly, the correct pronunciation of this name - "mingis" - appears to be dying out. It originated in Mesnières in Normandy and passed through England after the Norman Conquest (where the name became "Manners," the ancestors of the Duke of Rutland). Sir Robert de Menzies rose within the ranks of the court of King Alexander II, becoming chamberlain in 1249. He and his son were granted lands in Glen Lyon, Atholl, Rannoch, and Weem in Strathtay (where Menzies Castle, originally called Castle Weems, has been restored by the clan society). Alexander married the daughter of James, the High Steward of Scotland (whose descendants would originate the Stewart dynasty). Throughout the history of the clan, the first names of Alexander and David crop up frequently.

Alexander's son, Sir Robert, was a companion-in-arms of Robert the Bruce. His rewards included land in Glendochart, Finlarig, Glenorchy and Durisdeer (some of it at the expense of the resident MacGregors). In 1320, Thomas de Meineris was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath.

Castle Menzies In the early 15th century, a David Menzies was a governor of Orkney and Shetland, at a time when they were still a possession of Norway. It was later in the 15th century that the 8th clan chief, Sir Robert Menzies, built the Place of Weem around 1488, not far from where Castle Menzies (pictured here) was created in the 16th century. The Menzies lands were made into a barony by King James IV in 1510.

As major landowners, the Menzies became involved in a number of feuds with their neighbours, including the Campbells and the Stewarts of Garth (who captured and destroyed the Menzies stronghold of Fortingale castle early in the 16th century). But in the 17th century conflicts involving Covenanters and the Civil War of King Charles I and Cromwell, the Menzies from Weems joined forces with the Campbells and the Covenanters and the Pitfoddels branch supported the Marquis of Montrose. Major Duncan Menzies of Fornock led the charge which broke the line of the government troops at the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 (though there were also many Menzies on the opposing side). The Pitfoddels branch also supported the Jacobite uprisings in 1715 (Menzies of Culdares spent many years in exile as a result). In 1745, Menzies of Culdares was too old for active service but sent Bonnie Prince Charlie a fine, white horse. Nevertheless, many Menzies were at the battle of Culloden in 1746.

In 1665, Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, from the Culdares line, was created a baronet of Nova Scotia, a title which became extinct in 1910. He had survived the Civil war, having received no less than nine serious wounds. His brother had died fighting on the side of the Royalists at the battle of Worcester in 1651.

In 1737, a member of the Weems family line of Menzies introduced the larch tree from the Austrian Tyrol and that variety is now spread across the whole of Scotland.

In more recent times, a Menzies family established a chain of bookstalls in Edinburgh in the 1860s, which grew to be one of the leading newspaper and stationery chains in the country. In the 1950s, Sir Robert Menzies, a grandson of a Scot who had come to Australia in the 19th century gold rush, became prime minister of that country.

The senior Weems line died out in 1910 and in 1957 the Lyon Court was petitioned by Ronald Steuart Menzies (a branch of the Culdares family of Menzies) and he was awarded the name and arms of Menzies of that Ilk (clan chief). The present chief returned from Australia to live in the clan lands in Perthshire.

The Menzies clan motto is "Vil God I zal" which means "With God I shall".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Menzies clan include MacIndeor, MacMenzies, MacMinn, MacMonies, Means, Mein, Meine, Mennie, Meyners, Minn, Minnus, Monzie, Murchie and Murchison.

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Mitchell

Originating from the Hebrew Michael, its introduction to Scotland was through the French Michel. The original pronunciation in Scotland was "Michel" with the 'ch' sounding as in loch. The name evolved as Mitchell in many parts of the country. It appears in 1354 on the Treaty of Berwick, freeing David II from imprisonment by the English and a John Michell was rewarded in 1489 for holding Dumbarton Castle. Mitchells became landowners in Ayrshire and Stirling and a bequest from Stephen Mitchell, a tobacco merchant in Glasgow, created the Mitchell Library in the city.

Helen Mitchell, the daughter of a Mearns farmer is better known as Dame Nellie Melba and James Leslie Mitchell, also from the Mearns, used the pen name Lewis Grassic Gibbon when he wrote "The Scots Quair".

Michie is a diminutive form of Mitchell found in Angus and Aberdeenshire and other derivatives of the name include Mitchison (as in Naomi Mitchison, the writer) and MacMichael.

Mitchell was the 15th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Montgomery

Montgomery Tartan Montgomery Crest
The Scottish Montgomery family originally came from Normandy. They held a castle called Sainte Foy de Montgomery in Calvados, Normandy and Roger de Mundergumbrie was rewarded for his support of William the Conqueror in 1066 with the Earldom of Shrewsbury in England. The first Montgomery in Scotland was Robert, a grandson of the Earl, who was granted lands in Eaglesham in Renfrewshire. He probably came to Scotland with Walter Fitzalan, the first high steward of Scotland in the reign of King David I. He died around 1177. The Eaglesham property remained with the family until the 19th century.

Sir John Montgomery, the 7th Baron of Eaglesham, was a hero at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388. He fought Sir Henry Percy (also known as Hotspur) hand to hand and was responsible for capturing the English knight. He obtained a large ransom as a result, which allowed him to build Polnoon Castle (Polnoon Street is still one of the main thoroughfares in the village of Eaglesham). He also married the heiress of Sir Hugh Eglinton which gave him the Barony of Eglinton and Ardrossan.

Sir John's grandson was created Lord Montgomery in 1449. The 3rd Lord Montgomery supported Prince James in the rebellion against his father, King James III and as a result was granted the island of Arran and keepership of Brodick Castle. These were later taken over by the Hamiltons.

Lord Montgomery became earl of Eglinton in 1507 and, after escaping from the defeat of the Scottish army by the English at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, participated in the Parliament at Perth which proclaimed James V king (aged eighteen months).

There was a long-running feud between the Montgomeries and the Cunninghams. It began over a relatively minor matter but continued over the centuries, despite legal judgements and government action. The Eglinton manor house was burned early in the 16th century and the 4th Earl was killed by the Cunninghams. The government of King James VI eventually managed to get the rival chiefs to shake hands.

During the Reformation, the 3rd Earl remained a staunch Catholic and supported Mary Queen of Scots. He escorted her back from France after the death of her first husband, the King of France. He fought for her at the Battle of Langside in 1568 and was subsequently imprisoned for treason. Religion continued to pose problems when the 6th Earl, a devout Protestant, fought on the side of the Covenanters against King Charles I in the middle of the 17th century. He was later captured and then imprisoned until the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660.

A branch of the Scottish Montgomeries settled in Donegal in Ireland in 1628 and Viscount Montgomery of Alamein came from this line.

The 12th Earl of Eglinton rebuilt Eglinton Castle and was created a peer of the United Kingdom in 1806 as Baron Ardrossan of Ardrossan. The 18th Earl of Eglinton also has the titles of Lord Montgomerie, Lord Seton and Tranent, Earl of Winton and Baron Ardrossan of Ardrossan as well as Hereditary Sheriff of Renfrewshire.

The Montgomery clan motto is "Garde bien" which means "Watch well".

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Muir/Moore

Since the Scots word "muir" means a moor or a heath and there are a multiplicity of place names incorporating the word, it is not surprising that the surname is found all over Scotland. It is particularly prolific in west-central Scotland and in Orkney the name is one of the top ten most commonly found names. In the reign of King Alexander II (1214-1249) a David de More witnessed a charter in Ayrshire. A Gilchrist More incurred the wrath of Sir Walter Cumyn but later married his daughter and secured the lands of Rowallan Castle, near Kilmarnock. A descendant, Elizabeth Mure, married Robert, Steward of Scotland who later became King Robert II. In the 17th century, Sir William Mure of Rowallan was a Covenanter who had seven sons and eight daughters; his youngest son was created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1662.

In more recent times, Thomas Muir of Huntershill was an advocate and reformer who was transported to Australia in 1794 by a legal system which was concerned that his support for the French Revolution might take root. Sir John Moore was a military commander who fought against Napoleon and fell at the Battle of Corunna in Spain in 1809.

Pictured here is John Muir (1838-1914) who was born in Dunbar and after emigrating to the USA in 1849, not only explored the country but as a pioneer conservationist, was largely responsible for the founding of the Yosemite National Park. Alexander Muir (1830-1906) was born in Lesmahagow and after emigrating to Canada as a child, wrote the words and music of "The Maple Leaf Forever". Edwin Muir (1887-1959), a major poet of the 20th century, was born in Orkney.

There is a Clan Muir Society Web site.

When the two spellings Moore and Muir are taken together, the name was the 24th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Morrison

here are a number of different origins of this Scottish name which is currently the 21st most common surname in Scotland. Firstly, "Maurice" was an early Christian saint (the name came from "Moorish" or swarthy) and was also common in England. It became frequent in Aberdeenshire from the 14th century, possibly from a Maurice from Normandy. In 1591 the hangman in Dundee was named Michael Morris and in 1635 Alexander Morrison obtained the lands of Bognie.
Meanwhile, in the southern Inner Hebrides, mainly Mull, descendants of the O'Muirgheasains from Ireland became established. Ghille Mhuire (servant of the Virgin Mary) survived a shipwreck and has been claimed to be a natural son of King Olav and thus a half brother of Leod, the founder of the Macleod clan. Others dismiss this claim and believe that the clan were Gaelic/Irish in origin. Ghille Mhuire married the heiress of the Gows and became established in the sound of Harris. The Lords of the Isles appointed a family of Morrisons to hold the position of Brieveship, a kind of hereditary guardian and interpreter of the old Brehon Laws, in the Butt of Lewis (Dun Eistein) on a hereditary basis.

The Morrisons, as they became, were not numerous and tried to live at peace with their more powerful neighbours but nevertheless sometimes became embroiled in fueds with the Macauleys and Macleods and were eventually driven from their lands in the 16th century. In the 20th century the chieftainship was vested in the Morrisons of Ruchdi.

The Morrison tartan is similar to that of their erstwhile neighbours the Mackays, but with a red line through it.

The motto of the Morrisons is "Teaghlach Phabbay" ("Pabbay Family" - Pabbay is a small island at the north end of the Sound of Harris, now uninhabited).

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Munro

Legend says that the original Munro lands in Ross-shire were given as a reward for assisting King Malcolm II repel Viking invaders from Scandinavia in the 11th century. The Munros were well established in Easter Ross by the 14th century where they owed allegiance to the earls of Ross. The clan grew in stature and the chiefs of the clan became known as Munros of Foulis - Foulis Castle overlooks the Cromarty Firth, north-east of Dingwall. The clan also spread to the west coast to Loch Broom.

Members of the clan participated in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and Halidon Hill in 1333. In 1547 the chief and many of his men fell at the Battle of Pinkie. A number of Munros, including the clan chief, served in armies abroad, particularly in Sweden during the Thirty Years' War.

During the Civil War in the 17th century, a number of Munros fought at the Battle of Worcester in support of Charles II. Following this, Oliver Cromwell transported a number of Munros to New England where they flourished - James Monroe became fifth President of the USA.

Like a number of presbyterian clans (Campbells, MacKays and Grants) the Munros supported the Revolution which saw James VII deposed in 1689 and William and Mary accede to the throne. They did not support the Jacobite Uprisings by the Catholic Stewarts in 1715 and 1745. Colonel Sir Robert Mumro, the 6th Baronet, was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746, fighting on the side of the government forces against Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Foulis Castle was badly damaged in the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 by the Mackenzies but has been restored.

The Munros of Foulis have a unique family tree which covers 1333 to 1746. In more recent times, General Sir Hector Munro of Novar was a soldier who gained fame in India in the 1770s and 1780s.Hector Hugh Munro wrote books under the pseudonym of "Saki" and was killed in the 1914-18 war. Mountaineer Sir Hugh Munro was responsible for creating the list of mountains in Scotland above 3,000 feet which are named after him - the Munros. Jay R Monroe, founder of the Monroe Calculating Machine Company of the USA was one of the first to put mass produced calculating machines on the market in 1919. His son presented one of these machines to the Clan Munro museum in 1982.

The Munro clan motto is "Dread God".

A number of clans are regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Munro clan - Dingwall, Foulis, MacLulich, Vass and Wass.

Munro was the 70th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Murray

According to tradition, a Fleming named Freskin was given land by King David I in the area known as "Moray" (in Gaelic 'Moireabh' which means 'sea-settlement') in the 12th century and his descendants took the name of the area. Over time it became Murray, the most common "territorial" name in Scotland. One branch became the Earl of Sutherland and another branch, by marriage, Lords of Bothwell in Lanarkshire. Sir Andrew de Moray was an ally of William Wallace and participated in the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. By further advantageous marriages ( a standard event in those days) the Murray family inherited lands in Abercairney and Tullibardine in eastern Perthshire and in time the Murrays became the Dukes of Atholl with estates covering 300,000 acres. A descendant became the Earl of Mansfield who built the magnificent Palace at Scone. The 6th Duke of Atholl founded the Atholl Highlanders who so delighted Queen Victoria that she granted the Duke the right to bear arms, a unique privilege for an individual in the UK. The clan motto "Furth Forth and Fill the Fetters" dates from 1475 when the Earl of Atholl was sent by King James II to suppress the Lord of the Isles.

Murray was the 12th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The clan motto is "Furth fortune and fill the fetters".

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Napier

Napier Tartan Believed to have descended from the Celtic royal families through the Earls of Lennox, the name is thought to derive from the occupational name of "naperer" who looked after the linen in the royal household. However, the name is first recorded at the end of the 13th century when Malcolm, Earl of Lennox granted lands at Kilmahew in Dunbartonshire, to John de Naper. These lands were held by Napiers for 18 generations, finally being sold in 1820.

Alexander Napier was the 1st Laird of Merchiston in Edinburgh and became Lord Provost of the city. Early in the 15th century, his son was wounded rescuing the widow of King James I from rebels and James II made him Comptroller of the Royal Household in 1440. Alexander's grandson, John, was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. The next Laird of Merchiston and his son were both killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1413.

The 7th Laird of Merchsiton, John Napier, (1550-1617) developed the system of logarithms and his son Archibald accompanied James VI to London in 1603 when he became king of England also. Archibald subsequently became a Baronet of Nova Scotia and then Baron Napier of Merchiston.

Another branch of the Napiers became lords of Napier and Ettrick in 1627 with a seat at Thirlestane castle. Later Napiers served in the Napoleonic Wars (there were six British generals and one admiral named Napier at that time) and the 8th Lord Napier was captured during the American War of Independence.

The Napier clan motto is "Sans tache" which means "Without stain".

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Nicol/Nicolson/MacNicol

MacNicol(red) MacNicol Ancient Hunting Some elements of the name Nicolson are thought to derive from the Norse personal name Olsen and "Nic" - the Gaelic for "daughter of". Another origin could be a corruption of Nicolassen - Haakon, the last Norse king to attempt an invasion of Scotland, sent a war party to Scotland under Anders Nicolassen and tradition says that he settled in Scotland after the Viking defeat at the Battle of Largs in 1263 and the Treaty of Perth in 1266. The Nicolson clan chief of that line is said to have died in 1340, leaving no sons.

There was also a Lowland origin of the name with Norman ancestry - Malcolm fiz Nicol rendered homage in 1296 and William Nicholai was a burgess in Glasgow from 1419-21.

The Nicolsons of Lasswade were established in Midlothian for many generations and a knighthood was conferred in the 17th century. In the 18th century, Sir William Nicolson married four times and had 23 children.

While MacNicol is a Highland variation on the name, a branch in Skye Anglicised the name to Nicholson and that form is now found around the Hebrides. Alexander Morison Nicolson became a successful shipbuilder in China and he founded the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway. The Skye line established a chief of "Clann Mhic Neacail Scorrabreac" which is now known as Clan MacNicol. That line continues in the person of Ian Nicholson, a sheep farmer in New South Wales. In 1983 another Nicolson was granted recognition as chief of "Nicolson of that Ilk" as he was a descendant of the Nicolsons of Lasswade.

The Nicolson clan motto is "Generositate" which means "By generosity" and that for MacNicol is "Sgorra Bhreac" which means "Grey Ridge".

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Ogilvy

Ogilvy Hunting Ogilvy Crest
The name is derived from a Brethonic word "Ocel-fa" meaning a high plain. Ogilvie was a province of the Picts in Angus (there is still a Glen Ogilvie there), ruled by a mormaer, who became the first earls in the area. In the 12th century Gillebride, Earl of Angus gave the lands of Ogilvy to his son who anglicised his name to Gilbert. The Ogilvys were hereditary sheriffs of Angus in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Early in the 15th century, Sir Patrick Ogilvy commanded the Scottish contingent fighting with Joan of Arc against the English and was called "Viscomte d'Angus". Later in the 15th century, Walter Ogilvy was Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. His eldest son, John, obtained the castle and lands of Airlie in 1459 and other descendants became Earls of Seafield and Deskford. John's descendants became Lord Ogilvy of Airlie. Ogilvys spread over large parts of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.

The Jesuit martyr John Ogilvie was hanged at Glasgow Cross for refusing to accept the supremacy of King James VI in spiritual matters. He was canonised in 1976, the last Scot to be so honoured.

The Ogilvys were staunch supporters of the Stewart monarchy and joined Montrose in his campaign; the earl's second son was killed at the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645. The Ogilvys had a violent feud with the Lindsays and there was a clan battle at Montrose in 1646 when the Ogilvys suffered heavy losses. A feud with the Campbells resulted in the "Bonny Hoose o' Airlie" being burned to the ground.

Lord Ogilvy joined the 1715 Jacobite Uprising and his grandson raised a regiment in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

Clementine Ogilvy Hozier, wife of Winston Churchill, was a descendant through the female line of David, 6th Earl of Ogilvy. The present chief served as Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II and Angus Ogilvie, the chief's brother, married Princess Alexandra.

The Ogilvy clan motto is "À fin" which means "To the end".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Ogilvy clan include Airlie, Findlater, Gilchrist, MacGilchrist, Milne, Richardson and Storie.

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Paterson

The surname Paterson is derived from "Son of the devotee of Patrick" ie St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick initially became a popular first name. Later, as surnames started to be used, there was a Clan Pheadirean (the Gaelic name is MacPhadraig) on the northern shores of Loch Fyne, Argyllshire in the 13th century. The name spread across the Lowlands of Scotland and nowadays Paterson/Patterson is amongst the 20 most frequently found surnames in Scotland. Other variants on the name include Peterson and Patison.

In the 15th century, William Paterson became Provost (mayor) of Aberdeen and in the 16th century Fyndlay Patersoun leased land from the Abbey of Cupar in Angus. The most famous bearer of the name was William Paterson, a Dumfriesshire farmer's son, who founded the Bank of England in 1694 and, later, promoted the disastrous Darien Scheme in Panama which collapsed in 1700.

During the 1745 Jacobite Uprising, Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockburn entertained Prince Charles Edward Stuart in January 1746. Sir Hugh's niece, Clementine Paterson, became the Prince's mistress and bore him a daughter in France in 1753.

Castle Huntly in Perthshire belonged to a Paterson family from 1777 to 1948.

The Paterson clan motto is "Huc tendimus omnes" which means "We all strive for this".

Paterson was the 18th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Ramsay

Ramsay Tartan The name originated from a place in Huntingdonshire and Sir Symon de Ramesie was one of the many Norman knights who accompanied King David I when he returned to Scotland in 1124. Sir Symon was granted land in Midlothian but by the 13th century the family had become established not only in Dalhousie, Midlothian but also in Angus and Banff (on the Moray Firth). Neis de Ramsay from Banff was a physician to King Alexander II in the first half of the 13th century. William of Dalhousie was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320.

Sir Alexander Ramsay successfully defended Dalhousie Castle against King Henry IV of England in 1400 and, in 1513, another Alexander Ramsay died at the Battle of Flodden. His son, Nicolas, supported Mary Queen of Scots and also King James VI. John Ramsay (a grandson of Nicolas) killed the Earl of Gowrie when they appeared to be attempting to kidnap King James VI in what became known as the "Gowrie Conspiracy" in 1600. As a result of this service, John was created Earl of Holderness. His son, who was created Earl of Dalhousie, fought at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644 during the Civil War.

Allan Ramsay In the 18th century, Allan Ramsay, originally a wig maker in Edinburgh, established what was probably the first lending library in Britain. He became a poet and collector and publisher of early Scottish poetry and built a house on Castle Hill which is now part of Ramsay Gardens, overlooking Princes Street in Edinburgh. The illustration here shows the statue to the poet standing in Princes Street Gardens, below Edinburgh Castle. His son, also Allan, became a famous portrait painter.

In the 19th century, the 9th Earl of Dalhousie was Governor General of Canada from 1819 to 1828 (and, later, commander-in-chief of India). His son was Governor General of India from 1847 to 1856. Sir William Ramsay was a distinguished chemist and discovered several new gases and was awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1904. Dalhousie Castle is now a hotel and the seat of the Ramsay chief is Brechin Castle in Angus.

There is a clan Ramsay Web site here.

The Ramsay clan motto is "Ora et Labora" which means "Pray and Work".

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Robertson

There are claims that the Robertsons are the oldest documented clan in Scottish history, descended from the Celtic Earls of Atholl, who in turn were from a line of the kings of Dalriada. Conan, the second son of Henry, 3rd Earl of Atholl inherited extensive lands including Glenorchie. His descendant, Duncan, was the first chief of the Clan Donnachaidh. When surnames began to emerge, they adopted Robertson of Struan from Robert, the 4th chief. (Others adopted names such as Duncanson, MacConochie, Collier and Reid). Robert obtained a charter for his lands in 1451. Other Robertson families were Robertson of Lude and Robertson of Straloch. The first recorded Robertson was in 1371 but his origins are unknown.

The Robertsons were loyal to Robert the Bruce and to the Stewart kings - Alastair the 17th chief took up arms for the Stewarts in 1689, was pardoned in 1703 but took part in both the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Uprisings.

There are Robertsons in many parts of Scotland with a concentration in Dundee and Perth. It is the fifth most common name in Scotland. The present chief is Alexander Haldane Robertson and there is a Clan Museum between Blair Atholl and Struan.

The clan motto is "Virtutis gloria merces" ("Glory is the reward of valour").

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Ross

The gaelic word "ros" means a "headland" and is often used as part of place names in Scotland. There was an ancient Celtic earldom of Ross in the north-east of Scotland, in what is now the county of Ross and Cromarty, between the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, north of Inverness. The clan was sometimes referred to as Clan Anrias or Gille Andras/Gillanders, the old Celtic Earls of Ross, who were said to have descended from Gillianrias, the son of the hereditary abbot at the monastery of Applecross.

In 1214, when Alexander II led an army to the north to repress a rebellion by Donald Bane, who was claiming the throne, Clan Ross assisted the king and was rewarded with the title Earl of Ross. The Rosses fought at the Battle of Largs against the Vikings in 1263.

The clan and their chief served with distinction in the Wars of Independence against the English. Their chief was captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296 and was taken as a prisoner to London. He was released but was captured again while protecting Robert the Bruce's wife and daughter at the shrine of St Duthac in Tain. The clan fought bravely at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and the earl's seal is one of those on the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. Hugh Ross married a sister of Robert the Bruce and fell at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.

The earldom was forfeited when the Lord of the Isles was defeated in 1476 but the surname survived and the chieftainship devolved to the Rosses of Balnagowan near Tain. The 12th chief led 1,000 of his clansmen against Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. However, many were captured and transported to the colonies in New England.

After a long struggle with the neighbouring clan MacKays, the clan Ross was defeated at a battle at Strathcarron by the Mackays in 1486 and never recovered. Despite this, Ross is still one of the five most frequent names in the northern Highlands and the 16th most frequently registered in the whole of Scotland in 1995.

A Norman family called de Ros settled in south-west Scotland in the 11th century and some of their descendants also became known as "Ross" or sometimes "Rose". At one time they managed to convince the Lord Lyon that they were the chieftains of the clan Ross but this was overturned in 1903 and David Ross of Ross and Shandwick is the current chief.

The Ross motto is "Spem successus alit" - literaly, "Success nourishes hope", which nowadays we would call "Success breeds success".

The Corbet, Dingwall, Duthie, Fair, Gillanders, Haggart, McLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTire, Taggart, Train, Vass and Wass families are all regarded as septs (sub-branches) of the powerful Clan Ross.

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Russel/Russell

Russell Tartan This name is probably derived from "rous" meaning red and early bearers of the name no doubt had red hair - and were probably of Norman or French extraction. While the name is by no means confined to Scotland, it is within the top 50 most frequently found names in the country.

The name is one of the earliest surnames recorded in Scotland, the first being a Walter Russell who witnessed a charter in Paisley Abbey some time between 1164 and 1177. John, son of Robert Russel of Duncanlaw granted land to found a Hospital between 1180 and 1220. Robert Russel of Berwickshire was a big enough landowner to be required to sign the Ragman Roll and pay homage to Edward I in 1296.

Russels can be found in Aberdeenshire where Rozel, an English baron who had fought at the siege of Berwick and the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, obtained an estate at Aden. The family was described as "Russel of that Ilk" implying that they were substantial landowners. As such, Russel is one of the clans and families of Scotland with a coat of arms recognised by the Lord Lyon.

Not all Russells were recorded for their good works. Jerome Russell, a monk, was burned at the stake in the High Street, Glasgow, for heresy in 1539.

There was a significant family of Russels in Selkirkshire in the Scottish Borders and many entered military service in India in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In England, a family which began with a Rufus (another form of Russell), rose to become the Dukes of Bedford. The 3rd son of the 6th Duke of Bedford studied at Edinburgh University where he was greatly influenced by the independent and democratic philosophy taught there. He became a great Reformer and was an architect of extending the franchise for the Westminster parliament in the first Reform Act of 1832. His grandson, the 3rd Earl Russell, was also an independent thinker, better known as the philosopher Bertrand Russell.

Russell was the 47th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Rutherford

Rutherford Crest The name is from the lands of Rutherford in Roxburghshire in the Scottish Borders. There is some debate as to whether the placename is derived from a man named Ruther who guided an ancient king of the Scots over a little-known ford on the river Tweed or from "Rue the Ford" after an English army had been defeated crossing the river.

There are records of Robert de Rutherford witnessing a charter by King David I around 1140 and there was a Gregory and Nicholas de Rutherford in the reign of William the Lion and King Alexander II (1165-1249). Others appear in the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286). Two Rutherfords signed the Ragman Roll in 1296, as required of 2,000 prominent landowners by King Edward I of England. Sir Richard Rutherford was a favourite of King Robert III at the end of the 14th century and was an ambassador to England in 1398.

The Rutherfords were well known for their raids into Northumberland. Thomas Rutherford, the Black Laird of Edgerston, turned the tide at a battle at Carterfell in 1575. A descendant of that Laird fought on behalf of Charles I during the Civil War in the next century but he was severely wounded and many of his men were killed at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. Lieutenant General Andrew Rutherford was raised to the peerage in 1663 and later became Governor of Tangier in Morocco. The title became extinct when he died without issue.

Sir Walter Scott's maternal grandfather was John Rutherford and his son Daniel was the discoverer of nitrogen. Ernest Rutherford (later Lord Rutherford) won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1908 and is also known as the "father of atomic power" having named the proton and propounded the theory of smashing the atom. His father had emigrated to New Zealand in 1841.

The Rutherford clan motto is "Nec sorte nec fato" which means "Neither by chance nor fate".

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Scott

tartan tartan

One of the most powerful of the Border families, the name was derived from the Scots who invaded Dalriada (Argyll) from Ireland and the surname is found in all parts of Scotland. The name would often have been applied to people who spoke Gaelic in the English speaking Lowlands, rather than someone who originated in the west of Scotland. The first record of the name Scott is when Uchtred filius Scot witnessed the foundation charter of Selkirk in 1120. "Uchtred" is in fact a good English name of the time and he probably came from south of the border. Henricus le Scotte witnessed a charter by David Earl of Strathearn around 1195.

Michael Scott "the wizard" originated in the Tweed Valley but lived in Fife where he gained his reputation for magic. In the last quarter of the 13th century the Scotts appear in Fife when Michael Lescot agreed to serve King Edward I of England overseas. (In the 16th century author Sir John Scott would build Scotstarvit Tower near Cupar in Fife which is now a prominent landmark).

In the Ragman Roll (all nobles and landed gentry were required to sign by Edward I in 1296) there are six Scott lairds. One of these, Sir Richard le Scot of Murthoxton (now Murdostoun) in Lanarkshire may have acquired those lands by marriage - he also had estates in Selkirkshire. It is his line which became established and spread out between Ettrickdale and Liddesdale. Sir Michael Scott, 2nd Laird of Buccleuch was a staunch supporter of Robert the Bruce and distinguished himself at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. The Lanarkshire estate was exchanged for Branxholm in Selkirkshire as the family became more and more established in the Borders. In the 15th century, as was common in the Borders, the Scotts quarrelled frequently with their neighbours, particularly the Kerrs. The feud caused the deaths of both chiefs and was only resolved by marriage during the chieftainship of the 10th Laird. The 13th Baron was created Lord Scott of Buccleuch by James VI and in 1619 Lord Scott was created an Earl. The male line failed and Anne, Countess of Buccleuch married the illegitimate son of King Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth. Charles created the couple Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch but the Duke supported the protestant cause and at one stage led an unsuccessful rebellion against King Charles. The third Duke of Buccleuch married the heiress of the Duke of Queensberry (the Douglas family) and became one of the richest men in Britain. In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott (from a junior branch, the Scotts of Harden) changed Scotland's image forever. The Duke of Buccleuch today is one of the largest landowners in Scotland and the art collections at the family's great houses of Drumlanrig, Bowhill and Boughton are internationally famous.

The clan motto is "Amo" (I love).

The Laidlaw family is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the Scott family.

Scott was the 10th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Shaw/Seath

Shaw Tartan There are two origins for this name - one in the Highlands and another in the Lowlands.

An Old English word "sceaga" (meaning a small wood or thicket) gave rise to the Shaw name in the Lowlands, particularly in Lanarkshire. There were three landowners from there who were forced (along with thousands of others) to sign the "Ragman Roll" in 1296, swearing loyalty to King Edward I of England. The name spread across southern Scotland and into Northern England and also Ireland (giving rise, later, to George Bernard Shaw).

In the Highlands, the name came from the Gaelic "sithech" meaning "wolf" and was initially used as a first name but became a surname early in the 13th century. Shaw Macduff, a younger son of Duncan, Thane of Fife (a descendant of Kenneth mac Alpin) assisted King Malcolm IV in putting down a rebellion in Moray and he was made keeper of Inverness castle. Shaw's grandson was granted land in Rothiemurchus (in Strathspey). His son married a daughter of the Macdonald Lord of Islay in 1291.

The Shaws and their Mackintosh allies supported Robert the Bruce against the Comyns (Cummings) and took part in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

James Shaw of Rothiemurchus, a descendant of Shaw "Corrfhiaclach" (Bucktooth) is regarded as the first chief of clan Shaw. He was killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. In the 16th century the Rothiemurchus lands were lost after a Shaw chief murdered his stepfather and the lands were forfeited to the Crown who sold them to the Laird of Grant.

The Shaws of Tordarroch (in Strathnairn, south of Inverness) were known as Clan Ay (meaning children of Shaw) and may have been recognised as the chiefs of the Shaws after the collapse of the Rothiemurchus branch. Certainly it was this line which signed the Clan Chattan bonds of union in the 17th century. Tordarroch was held on a lease from clan Mackintosh who reclaimed the land in the late 18th century but it has since been regained by the chiefs of Clan Ay.

Although the Shaws were part of the clan Chattan confederacy, they became dispersed and spread across the Highlands. Variants of the name (Schiches, Schiochs) appeared in Perthshire, Shiachs in Aberdeenshire and Seath in Fife.

The Shaw clan motto is "Fide et fortudine" which means "By faith and fortitude".

Macay is regarded as a sept (sub-branch) of the Shaw clan.

Shaw was the 85th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995

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Sinclair

The name Sinclair is derived from Saint-Clair-sur-Elle in Normandy. William de Sancto Claro, whose father had come over with William the Conqueror in 1066, came to Scotland with his wife. There were, however, other members of the St. Clair family who came north also. They became established near Edinburgh and were granted the barony of Rosslyn.

Sir William de St Clair was involved in negotiating the marriage of Yolande de Dreux with King Alexander III. Sir William signed the "Ragman Roll" of King Edward I of England in 1296. His heir, Henry, was initially loyal to the English king but then supported Robert the Bruce and fought at the Battle of Bannockburn. The king granted him lands in the Pentlands, south of Edinburgh. Sir Henry Sinclair died in Spain with Sir James Douglas as they took the heart of Robert the Bruce on a crusade.

Through marriage, the earldom of Orkney was obtained. Henry de St Clair was a notable seaman and probably reached North America a 100 years before Columbus. His son surrendered the Orkney earldom and was created Earl of Caithness in 1445 by King James II. It was Henry who constructed Rosslyn Chapel with its ornate carvings and it was around this time that the spelling "Sinclair" came into use, usually pronounced in Scotland as "Sinkler".

The Sinclair clan motto is "Commit thy work to God".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Sinclair clan include Caird, Clyne, Linklater, Lyall and Mason.

Sinclair was the 79th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995 - but in Orkney it is easily the most frequently found surname..

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Stewart/Stuart

Royal Stewart Dress Stewart The most famous "occupational" name in Scotland, the name is derived from the office of steward (from Old English "stig" meaning house and "weard" meaning keeper). A Norman knight, William Fitz Alain became hereditary Great Steward of Scotland during the reign of King David I and was given estates in Renfrewshire and East Lothian.. His descendants, using the name Stewart, obtained lands in Kintyre, Arran, Cowal and Bute. Other branches of the family became established in Strathearn and Atholl in Perthshire, Appin in Argyll and also in Strathspey.

Walter, the 6th High Steward married Marjory, daughter of Robert the Bruce. Bruce's own son, King David II died childless and Bruce's grandson, Robert Stewart, through Marjory, became King Robert II in 1371, thus starting the Stewart Dynasty which lasted until the death of Queen Anne in 1714. The royal male line of Stewarts probably ended with the death of Bonnie Prince Charlie (though illegitimate descendants continued to the 20th century). Currently, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is High Steward of Scotland as the female-line descendant of Walter Fitz Alan.

The "Stuart" spelling arose because there was no letter "w" in the French language and Mary Queen of Scots, in particular, became Mary Stuart, following her marriage to the Dauphin of France, later King Francis II.

The Stewart clan motto is "Virescit vulnere virtus" which means "Courage grows strong at a wound".

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the Stewart clan include Cook, Cruickshanks, Duilach, France, Francis, Garrow, Jameson, Jamieson, Lombard, Lorne, MacCamie, MacCloy, MacCombich, MacGlashan, MacKirdy, MacLae, MacLea, MacLeay, MacMichael, MacMunn, MacMutrie, Moodie, Munn, Sharp.

Stewart was the 7th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Sutherland

The Vikings called the mainland south of Caithness "Sudrland" or southern land. They occupied all the land as far as a King David I granted a Flemish family Freskin land further south in Moray around 1130. As the power of the Vikings waned the family acquired land further north in Sutherland and by 1235 the first Earl of Sutherland was appointed by King Alexander II. The family split - with those in Moray taking the name Murray and those further north taking the name Sutherland.

Kenneth, the 4th Earl, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 fighting the English army led by Edward III. The 5th Earl was married to the daughter of Robert the Bruce and at one stage their son was heir to the throne but died of the plague. The 6th Earl built the original Dunrobin Castle. In 1651 a contingent of the clan fought with King Charles II when he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester.

There was frequent strife with the Gordon family to the south and at one stage the Gordons usurped the Sutherland earldom. In the 18th century the dispute over succession was heard in the House of Lords and the Countess of Sutherland was confirmed in the title in her own right. She married the Marquis of Stafford who was created 1st Duke of Sutherland in 1833. The Duke and Duchess were responsible for the "improvements" to the estates which resulted in the notorious Clearances and depopulation.The 2nd Duke of Sutherland transformed the original Scottish-styled Dunrobin Castle into a French chateau.

The Clearances and depopulation in Sutherland resulted in many with that name being dispersed but the name is still the 7th most common in the northern Highlands and 54th in the whole of Scotland.

The Sutherland motto is "Sans peur" - "Without fear".

The Duffus, Federith, Norman and O'May families are septs (sub-branches) of Sutherland.

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Taylor

Taylor Tartan

From the French word "tailler" which means "to cut", a tailor was originally a cutter of cloth. As such, the name came into use early in Scotland's history - Alexander le Taillur was a valet to King Alexander III in the last quarter of the 13th century. There were six landowners with the name Taylor who were of sufficient stature to be required to sign the "Ragman Roll" of King Edward in August 1296. Their lands ranged in places across Southern and Central Scotland such as Roxburghshire in the Borders, Edinburgh and Lanark, to as far north as the county of Angus.

In the early days, the name was often rendered in the Latin form "cissor" (from which the English word scissor is derived) and around 1137, Walter Cissor was granted land by King David II and William Cissor held a tenement in Edinburgh in 1392. Scissor and Cissor were recorded in Inverness and Perth in the 15th century. But, unlike the name Taylor which became prolific, the Cissor variant died out - possibly with some of the holders changing to Taylor.

The name spread into the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and became Macantaillear and Macintaylor but did not become widespread. However, "Taillear dubh na tuaighe" (Black Taylor of the battle-axe) was a legendary follower of Cameron of Lochiel. A number of Macintaileours were fined for providing shelter to members of the outlawed clan Macgregor in 1613.

James Taylor was involved with William Symington in building the first practical steam-powered ship in 1788. It sailed on Dalswinton Loch and a second vessel, powered by a larger engine, plied the Forth and Clyde canal.

In the first half of the 19th century, Dr John Taylor championed causes of political liberty including the movement for Greek independence from Turkey. At a time when trade unions were frowned on, he became the editor of "Liberator" which advocated the extension of voting rights, by revolution or republicanism if necessary. He was regarded as an extremist in his day, fighting for measures which we take for granted now.

The Taylor clan motto is "In cruce salus" which means "Salvation from the Cross".

Taylor was the 13th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

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Thomson/Thompson/Thomas/McTavish/MacThomas

"We're all Jock Tamson's bairns" suggests not only that we are all God's children and in the same boat, but that there are lots of Thomsons around. And indeed "son of Thom" has only recently dropped from 3rd to 4th place in the league of most common surnames in Scotland at the General Register Office in 1995. Thomson (without the 'p') is the most frequent spelling in Scotland; Thompson is found more in the North of England and Thomas in Wales.

The name is found most in central Scotland - there was a John Thomson in Ayrshire in 1318 who led part of Edward Bruce's invading army in Ireland on behalf of Robert the Bruce. There are Gaelic equivalents in MacTavish (son of Tammas) and McCombie (son of Tommy) and MacLehose is from the Gaelic 'mac gille Thoimis" or son of St Thomas.

Clan MacThomas was descended from Clan Chattan Mackintoshes and was based initially in Glenshee. The MacThomases supported King Charles I and the Marquis of Montrose but after the defeat of Montrose at the Battle of Philiphaugh, the chief withdrew his men and extended his influence into Glen Prosen and Strathardle. The chief approved of the stable government brought about by Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth. Consequently, after the Restoration of King Charles II the MacThomas fortunes declined and the clan drifted apart - some clansmen moving to the Lowlands and changing their name to Thomson or Thomas.

James Thomson (1700-1748) was a poet who wrote "The Seasons" which is regarded as a classic of English literature but is best remembered now for writing "Rule Britannia". Alexander "Greek" Thomson was a 19th century architect of note who is becoming more recognised at the end of the 20th. Robert William Thomson invented the pneumatic tyre in December 1845 and scientist and inventor William Thomson, though born in Belfast, became associated with Glasgow University and became Lord Kelvin. He gave his name to the measurement of temperature "Kelvin".

Clan McThomas, which is the only variant of the name recognised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, has a motto "Deo iuvante invidiam superabo" - I will overcome envy with God's help".

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Urquhart

Ancient Urquhart Tartan This name originated from a place name "Airchart" on the northwest shore of Loch Ness (in the area in which Urquhart Castle is now located, although the Urquharts only occupied it briefly). The name was recorded as far back as the days of St Columba in the 6th century. Translated from Gaelic, it means "by a rowan wood" or "a fort on a knoll." In old Scots spelling, "quh" represented "ch" as in "loch", hence the pronunciation sounding like "Urchart".

William de Urchard supported William Wallace and defended Cromarty (north of Inverness) against the English and supported Robert the Bruce. The Urquharts were rewarded by becoming hereditary sheriffs of Cromarty in the reign of David II, son of Robert the Bruce. Other Urquharts became established in Moray and in Aberdeenshire.

In the 16th century, Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty is reputed to have had 25 sons, 7 of whom were killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 when it is estimated that 15,000 Scots were killed, 1500 captured and English losses amounted to only 500.

John Urquhart, the grandson of Thomas (above) translated the works of the French poet, Rabelais and still had time to fight at the battle of Worcester in 1651 in support of King Charles I. John died in 1660 - supposedly from laughing so much at the restoration of the monarchy when Charles II regained the throne.

The Urquharts participated in the Jacobite Uprising of 1715 and the clan chief died at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The line of the Urquharts of Cromarty died out in the 18th century but the chief of the clan Urquhart was re-established in 1959 when Wilkins Urquhart, descended from an Urquhart who emigrated to America in the 18th century, established his rights with the Lord Lyon. The seat of the clan is Castle Craig on the Cromarty Firth. It was presented to the 25th clan chief by Major Iain Shaw of Tordarroch - the Shaws had been a neighbouring clan of the Urquharts in earlier times.

The Urquhart clan motto is "Meane weil, speak weil and do weil" which means "Mean well, speak well and do well".

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Wallace

The Old English word "waelisc" and the Anglo-Norman word "waleis" meant foreign. It was applied to Cymru, in the west of Britain by the Britons, hence "Wales". In Scotland it may have been applied to Britons who came north but it may also have come to Scotland with King David I - a knight, Sir Richard Walency signed a charter around 1170 and he came from Shropshire (which borders Wales).

The name arises in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire in the 12th century. Adam de Waleys paid allegiance to King Edward I of England in the "Ragman Roll" of 1296. But Malcolm of Elderslie bravely refused. He and his eldest son paid the price and were executed by Sir John Fenwick. His younger son, William Wallace was taken to Dundee for safety but was soon to lead an uprising against the English. During the guerilla war which followed, the high point was the defeat of King Edward I at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, after which Wallace become joint Guardian of Scotland. However, the Scots were defeated ten months later at the Battle of Falkirk. Wallace attempted to keep continue the war but was betrayed and hung in 1305. A Wallace Monument in honour of the national hero was completed in 1869, overlooking the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge

The Elderslie lands were held by Wallaces until the middle of the 15th century and other branches settled in Craigie near Dundee and in Fife. In 1669 Hugh Wallace of Craigie was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia. For several generations the clan chief lived in Jamaica in the West Indies.

Wallace was the 49th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

The clan motto is "Pro libertate" - "For liberty".

Wallis is a sept (sub-branch) of the clan Wallace.

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Watt/Watson

Watson Ancient Tartan Watt is a form of Walter which also gave rise to the surnames Watson, Walters, Waters, Wattie, MacWatt and (mainly in England) Watts, Watkins and Watkinson. In some cases the name can be found in its full form as Walterson. Walter was originally a Germanic forename derived from "walt" (meaning "rule") and "heri" (meaning "army"). Of the various forms of the name, Watson is found the most frequently and it is the 20th most common name in Scotland. The Watsons have a coat of arms recognised by the Lord Lyon.

There were Watson landowners in Edinburgh as early as the 14th century and Robert Watsoun (spelt thus) is recorded in Aberdeen in 1402. Nicholas Watson of Dalkieth (near Edinburgh) held land near Arbroath in 1450 and Sir Donald Watsone was a church presbyter in the diocese of Moray in 1493. Walter Watson was a burgess (freeman) and landowner in Dumbarton in 1494 and a number of his descendants became bailies (senior magistrate) and provosts (mayors).

The name became more frequently found in the 16th century and is particularly frequent in the Lowlands and the North-East of Scotland. Wattie is found particularly in Aberdeen and surrounding area and in a fishing village in Banffshire some years ago 225 out of 300 inhabitants had the name Watt.

George Watson, who was born in 1654 was the first of many successful bankers in Edinburgh. He left money to set up an orphanage for children and this later became George Watson's College which is nowadays one of the leading private schools in the city.

The engineer and inventor James Watt, born in Greenock, is best known for his development of the steam engine and the unit of power "watt" is named after him.

The development of radar which played such an important part in the Battle of Britain in 1940 (and the development of aviation thereafter) was due to Robert Watson-Watt who was born in Brechin in 1892.

The Watson clan motto is "Imperata floruit" which means "It has flourished beyond expectation".

Watt and MacWattie are regarded as septs (sub-branch) Buchanan.

Watson was the 20th most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.