SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Hamilton:

Origin of the Clan:

The name Hamilton is believed to originate from a Norman called Walter Fitz-Gelbert of Hambledon who moved to Renfrewshire. He is fisrt mentioned in a charter in 1294 given to Paisley Monastrey for the privlage of being able to fish for Herring in the River Clyde.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Hamilton initally supported the English and Fitz Gilbert Hamilton was governor of Bothwell Castle on behalf of the English. However he later came across to Robert the Bruce's side and was rewarded with a portion of land which had been confiscated from the Clan Comyn/Cumming. Among his new property was the Barony and lands of Cadzow which in time would become the town of Hamilton. In 1346 the Clan Hamilton fought for King David II of Scotland at the Battle of Neville's Cross. Sir David Hamilton was captured and not released until a large ransom was paid.

15th Century:

In the 15th century the Hamiltons gained more royal support when in 1474 James the 1st Lord Hamilton married Princess Mary, the daughter of King James II of Scotland. Their son was made the Earl of Arran and stood next in line for the throne.

16th Century:

During the 16th century the Clan Hamilton made their home on the Island of Arran in 1503 and for most of that century a Hamilton was close to inherriting the Crown. The 2nd Earl of arran was heir to the throne both of King James IV of Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots. As Mary's regent he enjoyed her wealth and was bribed into allegiance with both England and France. The 4th Earl of Arran was keeper of both Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. He was made a Marquess in 1599. Earlier in 1587 his brother called Claude Hamilton was made first Lord Paisley and then Lord Abercorn. Claude's descendants also became extremely wealthy. They aquired part of Ulster and raised the Abercorn title from a Lord to an Earl and by 1886 to the status of a Duke.

Civil War:

The Clan Hamilton under the third Marquess of Arran supported King Charles I during the Civil War. The Marquess was made Duke of Hamilton in 1643. He was beheaded with his King in London in 1649. William Hamilton the second Duke was killed at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Clan Hay :

Origin of name:

The Clan Hay descends from the Norman family of de la Haye. The First Hay to arrive in Scotland was William de lay Haye, who befriended King Malcolm IV and was made the 1st Baron of Erroll in 1178. Over the centuries, Hay influence in Scotland increased.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Sir Gilbert Hay, the 5th Lord Erroll, was an ally of Robert the Bruce and he and the Clan Hay participated in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. For his service, he was made the Lord High Constable of Scotland, a title the Clan Hay continues to hold to this day, which gives them ceremonial precendece in Scotland ahead of anyone aside from the royal family. The Chieftan of the Clan Hay, known as the MacGaraidh Mor, was traditionally the Commander of the Royal Bodyguard, and this fact caused numerous Hay chieftans to die in battle while protecting their king. The 6th Earl of Erroll was killed leading the Clan Hay at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Hay suffered very heavy casualties in the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Another Hay, also named Sir Gilbert, was a Scottish knight who fought for Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War. Following the Reformation, the Hays remained loyal to Catholicism and thus were allies to Mary, Queen of Scots, who appointed George Hay, the 7th Earl of Erroll, Lord Lieutenant of all central Scotland. Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll, was involved in a conspiracy with King Philip II of Spain, to overthrow Queen Elizabeth of England, convert King James VI to Catholicism and thus make Britain a Catholic stronghold. With the defeat of the Spanish Armada, however, the conspiracy came to nothing.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

Following the Act of Union in 1707, the Hays were sympathetic to the Jacobite cause. The ruins of their fortress of Slains Castle, on the northeast coast of Scotland, was a frequest meeting place for Jacobite conspirators. In 1745, the Clan Hay supported Bonnie Prince Charlie and assisted in financing his rebellion. With the collapse of Jacobotism, the Hays became loyal British subjects, and many Hays were involved in expanding the British Empire.

Septs:

Alderston Arroll Ay(e) Beagrie Constable Delgatie Erroll Garra(d) Garrow Gifford Haye(s) Hays(on) Heye(s) Kinnoull Leask(e) Leith MacGaradh MacGarra MacGarrow MacHay McArra Peebles Slains Yester

Clan Henderson:

Origin of name:

The Hendersons of Caithness and surrounding areas claim their descent from Henry, son of George Gunn, the Chief of Clan Gunn and ‘Crowner’ of Scotland in the 1400s, who was deceived and slain by the Clan Keith Clann Eanruig (pronounced KLAHN YAHN-reegk) is the Gàidhlig (Scots Gaelic) name for the Scottish clan known as "the Hendersons" in English. The words "Scot," "Scots" (not scotch), "Scottish," and "Scotland" derive from the Latin word "Scotus" meaning a Celtic inhabitant of Hibernia (Ireland) at the time of the Roman occupation of southern Britannia (Great Britain), i.e., an Irishman. The Scots of Caledonia flourished and soon outnumbered their Pictish neighbors. The ancient Picts and Scots followed the Celtic custom of matrilineality. This meant that sons could not depend on their father's status, but instead had to establish domains of the own. Pictish prince Eanruig Mor mac Righ Nechtan (Big Henry the son of King Nechtan) established a distinguished family line. The descendants of Prince Henry were known collectively as “clann Eanruig” meaning the “family of Henry.” The males of the clan took the surname “mac Eanruig” meaning “son of Henry,” which was later translated into English variously as “Henryson,” “Henderson,” “McHenry,” “McHendry,” “MacKendrick,” and such. The females of the clan took the surname “nic Eanruig” meaning “daughter of Henry.” A woman normally kept her own clan surname after marriage, and she could usually depend on her clan's support in a dispute with her husband. Families could give children the clan surname of either their mother or father. Over time, the descendants of other prominent Henrys also took the family name "clann Eanruig." Eventually, the most prominent of these families coalesced into a single clan identity.

Alliances:

Though a small clan, the Hendersons rose to prominence in Caithness, Glencoe, the Shetland Islands, Liddlesdale, and Fordell. In Caithness, Clan Henderson associated with Clan Gunn. In Glencoe, Clan Henderson forged a close alliance with the powerful Clan Donald. In 1692, King William III, suspecting the loyalty of Clan Donald, secretly set the Clan Campbell upon the MacDonalds and Hendersons in the Massacre of Glencoe. After the Massacre, many Henderson families emigrated to Ulster and North America.

Highland Clearances:

During the Highland Clearances from 1746 to 1822, many more Henderson familes left Scotland for Ireland, England, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other lands.

Hendersons in the 18th and 19th Centuries:

Hendersons in the British colonies of North America played important roles in the drive for American independence from Britain. Patrick Henry of Virginia urged armed revolution with his cry "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" Ulster-born physician James McHenry served as George Washington's Secretary of War. (The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States of America, depicts the British naval bombardment of Fort McHenry near Baltimore in 1814.) Hendersons loyal to the British Crown played important roles in the British settlement of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, Hendersons encircle the globe.

Henderson Spelling Variations:

The surnames of the Clan Henderson include: d'Handresson, Eanrig, Eanruig, Enderson, Endherson, Endirsone, Enrick, Enrig, Henders, Henderson, Hendersone, Hendersonne, Hendersoun, Hendersoune, Hendery, Hendirsone, Hendirsoun, Hendirsoune, Hendrie, Hendriesoun, Hendrisone, Hendrisoune, Hendron, Hendry, Hendryson, Hendrysone, Henerson, Henersoun, Hennerson, Hennersoune, Hennryson, Henresoun, Henreysoun, Henrici, Henricus, Henrie, Henriesone, Henriesoun, Henrison, Henrisone, Henrisoun, Henrisoune, Henrisson, Henry, Henryesson, Henryson, Henrysone, Henrysonne, Henrysoun, Henrysoune, Inrick, Inrig, Kendrick, Kenrick, MacCanrig, MacCanrik, MacEanruig, MacEnrick, MacHendric, MacHendrick, MacHendrie, MacHendry, MacHenrie, MacHenrik, MacHenry, MacKanrig, MacKendree, MacKendric, MacKendrich, MacKendrick, MacKendrie, MacKendrig, MacKendry, MacKenrick, MakAnry, MakCanryk, MakHenry, McCandrie, McCanrig, McCanrik, McHendry, McHenrie, McHenrik, McHenry, McKanrig, McKendree, McKendrick, McKendry, McKinriche, M'Canrie, M'Cenrik, M'Henri, M'Henry, M'Inrig, M'Kendrig, NicEanruig, and other variants. The surname spelling variations arose from regional pronunciation differences, and sometimes perversely creative spelling. Some individuals used multiple surname spellings, and sometimes different surname forms. For example, a traveling Henderson might use the surname MacEanruig in the Scottish Highlands, Henderson in the Lowlands, McHenry in Ulster, and Henry in England. The prefixes "Mac", "Mak", "MC", "MC", "Mc", and "M'" are equivalent, and are all pronounced "mahk". The letter following the prefix may be either capital or lower case. Some Scottish families dropped a "Mac" prefix from their surnames during the Highland Clearances in an effort to curry favor with the Crown. After King George IV visited Scotland in 1822, some of these families resumed using a "Mac" prefix. (The resurgent popularity of "all things Scottish" even induced some Lowland and English families to add an incongruous "Mac" prefix to their surnames).

Clan Home :

Origins of the Clan:

The clan is believed to be descended from a Saxon Princess of Northumberland. Cospatrick the Earl of Dunbar and his second son Patrick are believed to be the originators of the clan. Patricks son was the first to use the name Home. He was called Aldan de Home in around 1172. In 1266 William de home is recorded at Coldstream Monastery with grants of land. Geoffrey de Home's name is on the Ragman Roll as submitting to King Edward I of England. Geffrey's son, Sir Thomas Home gained the Pepdie estates of Dunglass where he married the heiress.

15th Century:

The Sir Alexander Home was created the 1st Lord Home in 1473, he died in 1491. During his life he established the collegiate church of Dunglass, was an ambassador to England and was among those who had the blood of King James III of Scotland on their hands in 1488.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

In the 16th century during the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Home led by Chief and 3rd Lord Alexander Home fought at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. Here Alexander led the vangaurd of Scottish knights. Later Alexander and his brother were found guilty of treason against the Regent Albany and they were executed. Their heads were put on display on the spikes at the tollbooth in Edinburgh. In the time of Mary Queen of Scots the 5th Lord Home initially supported her. however he later fought against her at the Battle of Langside in 1568. In 1573 the 5th Lord Home was accused of treason against King James IV of Scotland and imprisoned for life at Edinburgh Castle. His son however was a strong supporter of King James IV for all of his life and accompanied the King on his journey to claim the throne of the new kingdom. His support of the King earned him a raised status from Lord to Earl of Home in 1605.

Jacobite Uprisings:

In the 18th century during 1715 to 1716 the Jacobie Uprisings the 7th Earl of Home supported the Jacobites and ended up being imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle. By the time of the second rising in 1745 the 8th Earl changed sides and led the clan in support of the British government.

Clan Houston :

Clan History :

The name is territorial in origin, derived from an old barony of the name in Lanarkshire. Hugh de Padinan, who is believed to have lived in the twelfth century, was granted the lands of Kilpeter. By about the middle of the fourteenth century, these lands had become known as Huston. Sir Finlay de Hustone appears on the Ragman Roll swearing fealty to Edward I of England in 1296. The castle of the de Hustones was built on the site of an ancient Cistercian abbey. The family also acquired a substantial barony near Whitburn in West Lothian, where Huston House, which was rebuilt in the eighteenth century, still stands today. Sir Patrick Hustone of that Ilk, who was probably the eleventh chief, married Agnes Campbell of Ardkinglas. Sir Peter Huston fought with the Earl of Lennox on the right wing at Flodden in 1513, where he was killed. His son, Sir Patrick Huston of Huston, was a companion of James V and Keeper of the Quarter Seal. He intrigued with Lord Lennox against the king, and was slain at the Battle of Linlithgow Bridge. The next Sir Patrick, his grandson, was knighted by Mary, Queen of Scots, and accompanied her when she visited Lord Darnley in Glasgow. The nineteenth chief was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles II in 1668. His son, Sir John, was falconer to Queen Mary and her husband, William of Orange. The fifth Baronet was a prosperous merchant who had substantial interests in America. His son, who was educated in Glasgow, made his home in Georgia, and he and his brother greatly increased the family’s colonial estates. They are reputed to have owned over eight thousand slaves when the thirteen American colonies broke from Britain and declared their independence. The Hustons renounced their Scottish titles in favour of their American wealth. From this family descended General Sam Houston, born in 1793, who fought for the independence of Texas from Mexico. He was first president of Texas and later a United States Senator. Sir Robert Houston, descended from a Renfrew branch of the family, was a prominent Victorian shipowner who was created a baronet of the United Kingdom. He is credited with developing the theory of convoys first used during the Boer War.

Clan Hunter :

Origins of the Clan Hunter:

The first Hunters arrived in Ayrshire in the last years of the 11th Century. They were experts in hunting and fieldcraft with generations of experience in the forests of their land of origin, Normandy, northern France. William Hunter was invited to Scotland by David I, who was himself brought up in the Norman Court. He must have had considerable skills to have been so honoured; he was responsible for providing the Scottish Court with meat and game, a position that the Hunters held throughtout the Middle Ages and beyond. In papers relating to the King's Inquisition in 1116, we find mention of Williemo Venator (William the Hunter, 1st Laird) who was appointed as Royal Huntsman while his wife had the honour of serving Queen Matilda as lady-in-waiting. William put his expertise to good use in the wild forests and fens, then rich with wildlife, which surrounded the site of the timber fortress later to become Hunter's Toun. As recognition of his family's skills the title of Royal Huntsman became a hereditary appointment.

Scottish - Norweigen War:

In the mid-thirteenth century King Alexander III of Scotland urged his liegeman to build in stone against possible incursion by Norsemen. It was probably about this time that the Pele Tower of Hunterston was constructed. From this stronghold the family, allied with other powerful neighbours, faced down the aggression of King Haakon of Norway and drove him to defeat at the Battle of Largs in 1263.

Scottish Wars of Independence:

The Pele Tower of Hunterston sheltered the Hunters throughout the Wars of Scottish Independence from which the Hunters emerged with their lands intact despite having signed the Ragman Rolls, swearing allegiance to Edward I, in 1269. Having most likely supported William Wallace and certainly Robert the Bruce, in 1374 the great King's grandson Robert II granted William Huntar (10th Laird) a charter for the lands of Ardneil "for faithful services rendered". The Family still possess this ancient document. For many years, the Hunters continued to serve the Scottish Crown as Royal Huntsmen and as soldiers, sometimes at great cost.

Anglo-Scottish Wars:

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars between England and Scotland in the 16th century John Huntar the 14th Chief died with King James at the Battle of Flodden Field and in 1513 Mungo Huntar the 16th chief died for Queen Mary at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547. Clan chiefs from Clan Colquhoun, Clan Macfarlane and Clan Farquharson also died at this battle. A good clan chief was expected to lead by example, which meant being first into battle at the head of the clan. For this reason many clan chiefs died during battle. Because of the awful number of Scottish lives lost at the Battle of Pinkie, the 10th of September is known in Scotland as 'Black Saturday'.

Post Clan Activity:

As times became more settled the Hunters devoted more time to farming their extensive lands, although they still produced soldiers of distinction over the generations. Gould Hunter-Weston, husband of Jane Hunter-Weston (26th Laird) fought in India at Lucknow in 1857 and their eldest son, Aylmer (27th Laird) was a well known general in the First World War. He later became Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire. During her tenure as Clan Chief, Eleanora (28th Laird) fought in the courts, but lost, a compulsory purchase order for land at Hunterston to build a nuclear power station. The last Clan Chief, Neil Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk, along with his wife Sonia, Madam Hunter of Hunterston, continued the fight against industrialization. He was well known for his sailing prowess and represented the United Kingdom in two Olympic Games during which he won a silver medal. Like many Hunters before him he was in true tradition an expert in archery. The present Clan Chief, Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk and 30th Laird and Chief of Clan Hunter.