Whitelaw Clan History

The surname Whitelaw, also seen as Whytelaw and Whytlaw, is of territorial origin, coming from the lands of Whitelaw, in the parish of Morebattle. In the parish of Bowden in Roxburghshire, there was also the barony of Whitelaw. In 1296, John de Wytelowe, of the county of Edneburk, pledged his allegiance to England’s Edward I […]

MacNaughton Crest & Coats of Arms

MacNaughton Clan Crest Crest Description: A tower embattled Gules MacNaughton Coats of Arms A note on Coats of Arms: Under Scottish heraldic law a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms) . There is no such thing as a ‘family coat of arms’ The arms represented […]

Young Places & People

Clan Young Places Auldbar Castle – demolished in 1965 Durris House – bought by James ‘Paraffin’ Young Clan Young People James Young (1811-1883) Scottish chemist best known for his method of distilling paraffin from coal. James Young was born in the Drygate area of Glasgow, the son of John Young, a cabinetmaker and joiner. He […]

Menzies Clan History

Mesnieres in Normandy was the original home of the Norman family whose name was transformed to Manners, the surname of the Dukes of Rutland. A branch of this family moved into Lothian and then gradually into the Highlands of Scotland, where they became known first as de Meyneris, and eventually as Menzies. Robert de Meyneris […]

Cockburn Clan History

There are different opinions as to the origin of this surname. One connects it to a placename near Duns in Berwickshire, another suggests that it is derived from the old Scots word ‘gowk’ meaning cuckoo and that it is connected to Cukooburn in Roxburghshire. It would seem strange then that the crest is indeed a […]

MacDonell of Glengarry Crest & Coats of Arms

MacDonell of Glengarry Clan Crest: Crest Description: A raven Proper perching on a rock Azure MacDonell of Glengarry Coats of Arms: A note on Coats of Arms: Under Scottish heraldic law a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms) . There is no such thing as […]

Ross Clan History

The name Ross derives from the ancient Celtic word “Ros”, meaning “a promontory”, in this case the lands of Easter Ross. The clan is known to Highlanders as Clann Aindreas – the sons of Andrew. The traditional progenitor of the clan was Fearchar Mac an t Sagairt which is translated as “son of the priest”. […]