The Scottish Clans

Motto:
Origin of Tartan:

History
The name Kincaid, it is supposed, is territorial in origin, or possibly from ‘ceann cadha’, the ‘steep place’ or ‘pass’ but could also be ‘of the head of the rock’, or even ‘the head of the battle.’ The lands of Kincade were granted to Maldouen, third Earl of Lennox by Alexander III in 1238 the Earl then passed these lands to Sir William Galbraith, the fourth chief. The direct male line ended in three sisters which resulted in the partitioning of the estate. One sister married a Logan and were confirmed lands of Kyncade by the fourth Earl of Lennox. The family took their surname from the area which was around 30,000 acres

Kincaids were present during Scotland’s wars of independence; one family member fighting against Edward I and recapturing Edinburgh castle in 1296. A Kincaid was made constable of the castle and Robert the Bruce granted that the castle to be added to their arms as a recognition of their achievements.

The family estates grew in the sixteenth century, through marriage they gained the estate of Craiglockhart near Edinburgh, the estate of Bantaskin by Falkirk, Blackness Castle and the fields of Warriston, now in Edinburgh.

Malcolm Kincaid was involved in a battle against the Stirlings of Craigbarnet in 1563 were he lost his arm, he was also fighting with the Lennoxes of Woodhead in the 1570 before finally being dispatched by a Stirling of Glovat in 1581.

in 1600 John Kincaid of Warriston was murdered. His wife and one of his own grooms were implicated. both were put to death for their crimes, the wife beheaded and the groom ‘broken on the wheel’ a particularly grizzly punishment.

Kincaids supported the royalists during the civil war and suffered for this during the ‘protectorate’, prior to the restoration of the monarchy with many of the clan emigrating to America. They also supported the later Stewart cause, also costing them dear both during the 1715 and ’45 rebellions with several Kincaids escaping to Virginia.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century the Kincaids became closely linked to the Lennoxes through marriage. The two families grew close, in complete contrast to the situation that had existed between them 200 years earlier.

Madam Heather Kincaid of Kincaid was the first chief of the name to sit on the Council of Chiefs and was succeeded in 2001 by her granddaughter Arabella.

VINTAGE 1931 SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH / BADGE "STAND SURE" ANDERSON US $21.45 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE SCOTTISH CLAN BROOCH / BADGE, DEUS JUVAT = MACDUFF US $11.86 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:52 PDT   | Watch this Item

Scottish Davidson Clan Crest made in Scotland US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:04:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

New Boxed Masonic Gold Scottish Clan Crested Cufflinks US $18.16 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:05:51 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Tartan Clan Scarf Macbeth Modern 100% Pure Wool US $17.78 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:46 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Clan and Family Names - Martine, Roddy US $16.37 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:55 PDT   | Watch this Item

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH: SKELLATER FORBES US $47.41 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:10:44 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

Gaelic Name: Cearr, MacGhillechearr
Motto: Sero sed serio (Late but in earnest)
Lands: Roxburghshire
Origin of Name: British, caer (Fort)

History
The vikings termed marsh dwellers “kjrr”. When their descendants arrived in Britain from Normandy with William the Conqueror the term had become a name with the forms Ker and Kerr, also Carr and Carre.

From Arran on the Celtic West Coast comes a claim that the name is derived from the Gaelic for “strength”.

Scottish records from the time of William the Lion mention John Ker, the hunter of Swinhope, but it was around 1330 that two brothers, Ralph and John, moved from Lancashire to Roxburgh to establish the principal Kerr families of Scotland. Ralph’s descendants became the Kerrs of Ferniehurst, the senior branch, whilst John was progenitor of the Kerrs of Cessford.

The two powerful Borders families soon became rivals. The Kerrs were Crown vassals and collecting further influential positions whilst the Douglas families collapsed.

Andrew Kerr of Cessford aquired a charter to the barony of Old Roxburgh in 1451, becoming warden of the marches six years later. In 1502 the barony of Oxnam became Sir Andrew Kerr of Ferniehurst’s by royal charter and he became warden of the middle marches.

Twelve years later this office was taken by a Kerr of Cessford, another Sir Andrew. His grandson, Mark Kerr, excelled in his aquisition of power becoming the first Earl of Lothian in 1606. The male line ended abruptly with his son’s death in 1624 and the title failed.

Further Earldoms were bestowed on the families with Sir Robert of Ferniehurst becoming Earl of Ancram and Sir Robert of Cessford, by 1616 spelling his surname Ker, being created Earl of Roxburghe. The Earldom of Lothian was revived for the Earl of Ancram’s son in 1631. This was the year that the family feuding ended thanks to the marriage of William Kerr ofFerniehurst and Ann Ker of Cessford.

Following support for the dubious Union with England in 1707, the Roxburghe title was raised to a dukedom. In 1805 the dukedom of Roxburghe, through female lines, was aquired in marriage by the chief of Clan Innes, who changed his name to Innes-Ker.

Although the mansion of Monteviot is the principle seat, the twelfth Marquess of Lothian, descendant of William and Ann, resides at Ferniehurst Castle.

VINTAGE 1931 SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH / BADGE "STAND SURE" ANDERSON US $21.45 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE SCOTTISH CLAN BROOCH / BADGE, DEUS JUVAT = MACDUFF US $11.86 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:52 PDT   | Watch this Item

Scottish Davidson Clan Crest made in Scotland US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:04:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

New Boxed Masonic Gold Scottish Clan Crested Cufflinks US $18.16 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:05:51 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Tartan Clan Scarf Macbeth Modern 100% Pure Wool US $17.78 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:46 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Clan and Family Names - Martine, Roddy US $16.37 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:55 PDT   | Watch this Item

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH: SKELLATER FORBES US $47.41 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:10:44 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

Gaelic Name: MacUalraig, Ceannaideach
Motto: Avise la fin (Consider the end)
Badge: Oak
Lands: Carrick, Ayrshire, Lochaber and Skye
Origin of Name: Gaelic ceannaideach (Ugly head)

History
Kennedy comes from the flattering Gaelic word cinneidigh, which in ancient Ireland meant “ugly headed”. Crossing the Irish Sea to settle in an area of Dalriada now called Carrick in Ayrshire, they were probably led by Gilbert, whose son Duncan became the 1st Earl of Carrick in the 12th century.

They supported the Bruces before and through the Wars of Independence and were rewarded. Around 1360 John Kennedy became owner of lands at Cassillis and in 1457 his descendant, Gilbert, was created Lord Kennedy. Gilbert’s younger brother James was Bishop of St Andrews and founder of Scotland’s first university, the University of St Andrews.

To evade the law, Ulric Kennedy fled Ayrshire for Lochaber where began the Clan Ulric. From them came the Kennedys of Skye. These families became a sept of the Clan Cameron.

Many Scots fought for the French through the Auld Alliance. At the English siege of Orleans Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar was a commander fighting for Joan of Arc. The saint is represented on the Kennedy of Bargany coat of arms.

In 1509 the third Lord Kennedy became the 1st Earl of Cassillis, losing his life on Flodden field in 1513.

The death warrant of Scotland’s first Protestant martyr, Patrick Hamilton, was signed, under pressure, by the 3rd Earl, Gilbert, when twelve years old. He was poisoned at Dieppe and the Earldom went to another Gilbert, celebrated for roasting the Abbot of Crossraguel slowly over a fire to gain his land. The Abbot was saved by the Kennedys of Bargany but not before being horribly crippled.

In 1775 the 10th Earl of Cassillis was David, who commissioned Robert Adam to build the stunning Culzean Castle. The half gothic, half classical masterpiece looks across the Firth of Clyde to the Ailsa Craig and was offered for use as a retreat to Eisenhower in gratitude for his war achievements.

The earldom passed across the Atlantic to Royal Naval officer Captain Archibald Kennedy who, on top of his Hoboken estates, owned more New York property than any other man. During the War of Independence he tried to sit on the fence. This left him few friends and half of his estates were confiscated afterwards, George Washington taking No. 1 Broadway for himself.

Culzean Castle was given to the National Trust by the 5th Marquess. The family chiefs still live in Ayrshire at Culzean and Cassillis.

VINTAGE 1931 SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH / BADGE "STAND SURE" ANDERSON US $21.45 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE SCOTTISH CLAN BROOCH / BADGE, DEUS JUVAT = MACDUFF US $11.86 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:52 PDT   | Watch this Item

Scottish Davidson Clan Crest made in Scotland US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:04:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

New Boxed Masonic Gold Scottish Clan Crested Cufflinks US $18.16 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:05:51 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Tartan Clan Scarf Macbeth Modern 100% Pure Wool US $17.78 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:46 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Clan and Family Names - Martine, Roddy US $16.37 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:55 PDT   | Watch this Item

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH: SKELLATER FORBES US $47.41 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:10:44 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

Gaelic Name: Ceiteach
Motto: Veritas vincit (Truth conquers)
Lands: Caithness
Origin of Name: Placename, Banffshire

History
In 1010, at the Battle of Barrie, the Danish General Camus was despatched to Valhalla by a Chatti warrior. Malcolm II pushed his hand into Camus and drew three bloody fingers down the warrior’s shield. “Camus Slayer” became his name. In 1018 Malcolm won Lothian in the Battle of Chathem and let the lands of Keth to Camus Slayer. His descendants took the area’s name as their own. The Keiths remember their progenitor with three lines down the chief’s coat of arms.

In 1150 a Norman called Hervey won the hand of the Keth heiress and the lands were given to them in a charter by David I. In a charter of 1176, Hervey’s son was named “Marischal of the King of Scots”. This position made the King’s safety and regalia his responsibility and was later to become hereditary.

Sir Robert de Keth was a close friend of Robert the Bruce and was given Halforest by him in 1308. The Marischal built himself a castle in the forest. His greatest hour was at the Battle of Bannockburn where he commanded the small cavalry of ponies against England’s Shire horses and still managed to scatter their archers.

Marriage brought the Keiths huge land acquisition such as estates at Inverugie, Buchan and Kincardine.

Despite their immense properties they are not remembered as neighbourly, continually encroaching upon the lands of others like the Gunns. The families’ long feuding brought out the worst in the Keiths, such as the slaughter at Helen Gunn’s wedding, followed by her abduction and suicide. Another infamous moment was the treachery at the Chapel of St Tears in 1464, where they betrayed the trust of the Gunns and slaughtered again.

In 1458 the 3rd Lord Keith was created Earl Marischal.

The 5th Earl was the richest nobleman in Scotland.

While the 7th Earl was imprisoned by the English the Keiths dutifully hid the Scottish crown jewels and other regalia across their lands until the Restoration.

Fleeing after the failed Rising of 1715, the 9th earl and his brother James, their lands forfeited, went to Europe and made the Keith name famous across the world. The Earl became the closest friend of Frederick the Great, while his brother became his mightiest Field-Marshal. The Earl received the Black Eagle, the highest Prussian order. James was given the Russian Imperial Order of St Andrew by the Tsarina.

The present Earl lives at Keith Hall in Aberdeenshire.

VINTAGE 1931 SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH / BADGE "STAND SURE" ANDERSON US $21.45 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:00 PDT   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE SCOTTISH CLAN BROOCH / BADGE, DEUS JUVAT = MACDUFF US $11.86 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 11:02:52 PDT   | Watch this Item

Scottish Davidson Clan Crest made in Scotland US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:04:09 PDT   | Watch this Item

New Boxed Masonic Gold Scottish Clan Crested Cufflinks US $18.16 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:05:51 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Tartan Clan Scarf Macbeth Modern 100% Pure Wool US $17.78 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:46 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW Scottish Clan and Family Names - Martine, Roddy US $16.37 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:08:55 PDT   | Watch this Item

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH SILVER CLAN BROOCH: SKELLATER FORBES US $47.41 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:10:44 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item

The Original Scottish Clan Stamp MacLennan - Russell US $18.97 Auction Ends: Sunday May-20-2012 12:24:18 PDT   | Watch this Item