In modern Gaelic the name of this clan takes the form MacNeacail, the English version of the name taking the form MacNicol or Nicolson, depending on location. Tradition gives one branch of the family an extremely ancient origin in the lands between Assynt and Durness on the north coast of Scotland. Another tradition gives an […]
The Buchan region, in the north-eastern part of Aberdeenshire, verging on Banffshire, is the origin of the name of this clan. The Earldom of Buchan passed through the hands of the Comyns, though it fell from their grasp following their defeat at the hands of Robert the Bruce. Subsequently, the earldom was conferred upon Alexander […]
Maitland Tartans Maitland Tartan The following tartans are appropriate to this name Lauder
The name MacLean is rendered in gaelic “MacGille Eoin” or “son of the servant of St. John”. The clan claims its descent from “Gilleathan Na Tuaidh”, of the royal house of Lorn. The Duart branch of the clan claim as their progenitor Lachlan Lubanach, son of Iain Dhu MacLean of Mull, and a direct descendent […]
The first record of the name is in 1371 in a charter of land to John Kenedy of Dunure which includes Adam de Dalrympil. In 1390 James of Dalrymple witnessed a charter by Robert, Earl of Fife. John de Dalrympil was provost of Edinburgh in 1392. The ruins of Tantallon Castle in East Lothian were […]
The name Fletcher is fairly widespread across Scotland, the reason being that it comes from the gaelic ‘Mac-an-Leister’, meaning ‘son of the arrow-maker’. The arrow makers would associate themselves with various clans for whom they would make arrows. For example, the Stewarts and Campbells in Argyll, and the MacGregors in Perthshire (the Fletchers of Glenloyn […]
Moubray, also seen as Mowbray and Mobray, is a name of Norman origin, coming from the ancient barony of Mombray in Calvados, on the northern coast of France. The first to be recorded in Scotland with this surname is Robert de Moubray, who was witness to the gift of Staplegortoun to Kelso Abbey, probably at […]
The name Blair is derived from the Gaelic ‘Blar’ meaning open space or field, and consequently can be found in many different place names across Scotland. It was originally spelled ‘Blare’ but this form of the name has long since died out. Although many people share the surname of Blair, it is generally accepted that […]
The clan is named after the barony of the same name near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire which belonged to the monks of Jedburgh. The Barony was originally called Belasis. The seal of Richard de Belchis was attatched to his homage of 1296. In 1530 Alexander Belchis was bailie of Edinburgh. In 1627 John Belcheis was commissioner for […]
The earliest reference to the clan MacNaughton connects them with the great Pictish rulers of Moray. The name ‘Nechtan’ which means ‘pure’ or ‘clear’ was popular in the Pictish royal line, and the progenitor of the clan is thought to be Nechtan Mor, who lived in the tenth century. The MacNaughton family opposed Robert the […]
