The Learmonth name is a territorial one, and derives from the Learmonth lands in Berwickshire, and is an old surname in the Merse area. Thomas Learmonth, also known as Thomas the Rhymer, was a 13th century Scottish laird from Berwickshire, and a supposed prophet. He put many of his prophecies to rhyme, including his prediction […]
The name Sandilands is of territorial origin, coming from the lands of the same name in Clydesdale. James Sandilands received from his brother in law, Lord Douglas, the lands of Calder in Lothian. However James was later killed leading the Clan Sandilands during fighting against the English at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. […]
Nairn, or Nairne, is a name of territorial origin, coming from the former burgh, and now town of Nairn in the Highlands. It appears that the first Nairn recorded is Adam de Narryn, and, in 1361, he was chaplain of the altar of the Blessed Virgin at Inverness. In Perth, in 1406, a Michael de […]
Paterson, or Patterson, is the Scottish version of ‘Patrick’s son’ or Patrickson’, and is a very common surname in Scotland. Clan Pheadirean’s (Paterson) native lands were traditionally on Loch Fyne’s north side where many people by this name could be found. Patterdale in Westmoreland (now modern day Cumbria, north west England) was once called Patrickdale, […]
The origins of the surname Sempill are unknown, however the name has been recorded in Renfrewshire from as early as the 1100s. It has been suggested that the name is a corruption of St Pauls, however many are left dissatisfied with this explanation. Others think that it is likely Sempill was a descriptive name for […]
This clan descends from the original Scots who crossed the sea from Ireland, where their original name meant ‘lawgiver’, to found the kingdom of Dalriada. The kindred of Comgall is mentioned as one of the three principal kindreds in the ancient ‘Account Of The Men Of Scotland’. Its territory, Cowal, still known by that name […]
Throughout Scotland there are a number of places named Wardlaw, however it is not possible to say which one the surname derives from, if the name is indeed of a territorial origin. There is, though, no evidence of a family of Wardlaws of that Ilk. Near Beauly, in the Highlands, there is a Wardlaw, “the […]
The origin of the name Fraser is believed to lie with a knight called Frezel from the lordship of La Frezeliere in Anjou, who came to Scotland in the 11th century. In 1160 the name of Simon Fraser is recorded as the owner of Keith lands in East Lothian, and he gave the church there […]
The Buchanan name has been grounded in the lands surrounding the shores of Loch Lomond since 1225, when a grant by the Earls of Lennox to Sir Absalon of Buchanan, referred to in contemporaneous sources as ‘clericus meus’ i.e. he was a clergyman. A 19th century depiction of a Buchanan clansman by R.R. McIan The […]
the elliots are a notorious and powerful border clan associated with the border reivers with a very colourful history. they have had a recognised clan chief since the time of king robert the bruce (1306-1329) right up to the present day. the origin of the elliots is shrouded in mystery. a lot of their history […]
