Perched precariously above steep sea cliffs, the abandoned. For now, ill summarize the history of clan mackay and how it relates to the general mckee surname. Mac aoidh is an ancient and oncepowerful scottish clan from the far north of the scottish highlands, but with roots in the old. We strive to produce a genealogy program that is both intuitive for hobbyists and.
The origins of the clan mackay and their place in history scottish clan minibook rennie mcowan on. C125 in gaelic, this name is rendered as macaoidh meaning son of hugh, but is thought that the name comes from a branch of the ancient celtic royal house. Clan mackay was once a very powerful clan and they occupied multiple territories, these included farr, purness, reay, eddrachillis and tongue which is where castle varrich is located. The family surname history of mackay is of scottish origins. The clan mackay the correct history of clann macaoidgh the clan mackay by dr. History of the house and clan of mackay pdf download. Historian angus mackay in his book of mackay 1906 compares two different genealogies of the early chiefs of the clan mackay. A brief history of clan mackay primus ontario english. The first is by sir robert gordon, a 17thcentury historian and the second by alexander mackay of blackcastle, an 18th to 19thcentury historian who had access to the charters and historical documents of the mackay chiefs family. Clan mackay genealogy project a number of clan mackay members in nova scotia can trace their ancestry back to the book of mackay. In 1263, iye appears as chamberlain to walter, bishop of caithness, and by.
Once the mackays moved to tongue house castle varrich was then abonded, but in 2017 it was renovated and it is now acessible for the public to visit. Sequenced into bagpipe software by myself for general use by whoever. The mackay clan crest which, all members are entitled to wear, is from the crest on the top of the clan mackay chiefs coat of arms. Though today it is generally accepted that the earls, and in consequence clan macfarlane, are of gaelic descent. They played a powerful force in politics beginning in the 12th century, supporting robert the bruce. Iye maceth is reputed to be the first of the clan mackay to settle in strathnaver. Iye in gaelic is aoidh, meaning fire and anglicized as ay or y and pronounced eye hence mackay is properly pronounced mhuc eye not mah kaay. For some time there had been some controversy as to the descent of these earls, with both gaelic and anglosaxon origins given. This book relies on genealogies sourced by a 17th century historian known as sir robert gordon and an 18th. A short history of the clan mackay descended from the pictish royal house of maceth, the progenitor of the clan is iye maceth, grandson of earl of ross, raised to chiefship in 1250.
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. The scottish register of tartans the register is a national repository of tartan designs. Clan name scottish highlands mackay information clan crest badge tongue house mackay tartan clan location. Mac aoidh is an ancient and once powerful scottish clan from the countrys far north in the scottish highlands, but with roots in the old province of moray. In recognition of his services he was made the baronet of nova scotia as well as being made a. Later, hugh mackay of scouri commanded the forces of william and mary at the battle of killiecrankie in 1689. Mackay clan mackay family crest, mackay crest rings, mackay. During the week my life involves gokkasten and trading online at itrader betrouwbaarheid im happy to say this subject is one of my other hobbies.
Allan marble genealogical consultant for the clan mackay society of new. Mackays became famous for strength, courage and skill in soldiering and were involved in endless clan battles against keiths, rosses. Family history software genealogical society of victoria. In the centuries that followed they were antijacobite. The territory of the clan mackay consisted of the parishes of farr, tongue, durness and eddrachillis, and was known as strathnaver, in the northwest of the county of sutherland. Mackay from the extreme northwest of scotland, the estate of lord reay, the leader of the mackay clan. Then, if one chooses to follow the maternal line, back to adam see clan mackay genealogy. Pictured is the house of tongue which now belongs to the sutherland family but for several generations, belonged to the mackay chiefs. Are you looking to buy tartan gifts, mackay clan clothing and accessories online. It is an online website database facility maintained by the national records of scotland, an executive agency of the scottish government. Assistance with queries relating to highland dress, tartans, genealogy and clan history. The correct history of clann macaoidgh the clan mackay by dr. This website is provided by the clan mackay society usa, inc.
Mackay was the 42nd most frequent surname at the general register office in 1995. The clan mackay is an ancient and once powerful scottish clan from the countrys far north in the scottish highlands, but with roots in the old province of moray. For thirty years family tree maker has been americas favorite genealogy software making it easier than ever to discover. We stock a range of mackay clan gifts, clothing and accessories. He became baron reay after the name of the clan territory in 1628 and fought for king charles i in the civil war. The chief of the clan is lord reay and the lands of strathnaver later became known as the reay country. Clan mackay mckee manu forti with a strong hand with images.
Full text of history of the house and clan of mackay, containing for. In 1616, donald mackay was knighted before going off to fight in the thirty years war for the king of denmark. The clan system itself is almost military in its organisation. These are the official pages of the society and on them you can find a wide range of information on the clan, ranging from its history and current chief to yearly events. It is based in the former parish church of columba in bettyhill and opened as a museum in 1976. Throughout history the mackay regiments achieved great military honour and glory. See more of the keys family and the clan mackey mackay traced back to king arthur. The clan mackay society was formed in 1806 and is one of the oldest clan societies in scotland. He was the high stewart to the bishop of caithness and when his son married the bishops daughter they were gifted lands at durness. They supported robert the bruce during the wars of scottish independence in the 14th century.
We offer exclusive driverguided and personalised holidays throughout scotland. The origins of the clan mackay and their place in history scottish. Aodh was a son or nephew of kenneth maceth, and was born sometime around 1210. In the past, the most robust option for these tasks. The present laird of the clan i mackay is a son of the dutch baroness mary van dedern. You might want to mine records and family trees on genealogy websites, and share your family history online. The origin of the clan mackay remains uncertain but it is generally believed they were early connected with moray and there derived from the royal house of meaceth, mormaers of moray, through a cadet of morgund of pluscarden. We stock a large range of gifts including mackay tartan tie and tartan scarf and the mackay. Mackay clan crest, manu forti motto, family history, clan. Gary mckay this is a message posted at the clan mackay, usa discussion forum by dr. Clan mackay is a strong and ancient clan rooted in the northern scottish highlands. We do however encourage your participation as a member and it is the membership that funds clan events and activities across the united states, including this. Angus mackay in his work, enjoys pointing out grave errors by earlier writers such as occur in sir robert gordons history of the house of sutherland up to the year 1651.
The clan chief of clan mackay has from early times been designated of strathnaver. There are five other mackay tartans of which you can see below. Tannach house in modern times the battle of tannach was fought between clan keith assisted by clan mackay against clan gunn the inhabitants of caithness assembled an army and met the mackays and keiths at a place in caithness called blair tannie after a cruel fight the keiths and mackays had the victory by means chiefly of an assynt man john. The background you see is the tartan that belongs to the mackay clan. Enough about the mackay clan, i think the history of the clan is very interesting and it is really one of my hobbies, my office job is about a totally different subject. Mackay or in gaelic macaoidha is a scottish highland clan, deriving from mac meaning son of and aoidh, often written in english as ive, meaning fire and originally the name of a celtic god. The chief was also from early times seated at castle varrich but later moved to tongue house in tongue, highland. The followers of the maceths became the clan mackay. The maccrie, macghee, macghie, mackee, macvail, scobie, and bain families are regarded as septs subbranch of the mackay clan. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing for. The correct history of clann macaoidgh the clan mackay. The official mackay tartan features blues and greens that replicate the natural dyeing agents originally used in the ancient highlands, such as herbs, lichens, and bark.
The origins of the clan mackay and their place in history scottish clan minibook mcowan, rennie on. The web site has been renewed through the project to increase heritage knowledge and involve people in development of heritage awareness through improvement of the museums resources this is being part financed by the scottish government and the european community highland leader 2007 programme, and the heritage lottery supported by comunn na gaidhlig highlands and islands enterprise and. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing for connection. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages. The people of mackay country in medieval times had a society founded on family ties and group loyalty, honed by war, where wealth was measured first in men and then in cattle. There are basically two types of family history software available. There are mackay clan web sites here and here as well as here. Clan mackay is open to everyone, members or nonmembers to enjoy, discover and explore. For many years, the seat of the clan mackay was in or around tongue. History of the house and clan of mackay gives motivation to analyze information and is also useful when criticizing plots.
A number of clan mackay members in nova scotia can trace their ancestry back to the book of mackay. Around 710 ad three separate tribes left ireland from a region known as dalriada and landed in what is now known as argyll and the southern hebrides. The clan claims a descent from the old line of the earls of lennox. I have scottish ancestors through my prather family lineage. The long feud between the mackays and clan sutherland first came to a head in 72, when nicholas sutherland of duffus, head of one of the junior branches, murdered mackay and his heir in their beds at dingwold castle, dingwall where they had met in an attempt to patch up. Military history of clan mackay chebucto community net. Military history of clan mackay crest of clansfolk of clan mackay. Sequenced into bagpipe software by myself for general use by whoever wants it. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing, for. History of the house and clan of mackay mackay, robert. Strathnaver museum is situated on the north coast of scotland. Iye maceth, born in 1210, is looked on as the first leader of the group now resembling the mackay clan. History of the house and clan of mackay robert mackay. Mackay clan and tartan products direct from gretna green scotland.
The first serious work devoted entirely to the clan written by robert mackay, solicitor of thurso, in 1826 does not mention malcolm ceanmore. Mackay was created baronet of nova scotia on 28th march 1627. Specialising in clan history and the traditional clan. They played a powerful force in politics beginning in the 14th century, supporting robert the bruce. Aodh is a gaelic proper name which has been translated into english as iye hence, mackay means son of aodh. One mackay family group is known to descend from the marriage of aed, earl of moray, and his wife the daughter of lulach which took place circa 1085.
If you ever have the opportunity to discuss the book with others, you will be able to clearly tell their views, as you have taken the time to. The mackay clan history should really be lost in the mists of time, considering the misfortunes piled on the clan the biggest one being cleared of their lands by the sutherlands. Clan mackay is an ancient and oncepowerful highland scottish clan from the far north of the scottish highlands, but with roots in the old kingdom of moray. The most mackay families were found in and scotland in 1841and scotland in 1851and scotland in 1861and scotland in 1871and scotland in 1881and scotland in 1891and scotland in 1901. Mackay clan and tartan products direct from gretna green. The correct history of clann macaoidgh the clan mackay by. The keys family and the clan mackeymackay traced back. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing, for connection and elucidation, besides accounts of many other scottish families, a variety of historical notices, more particularly of those relating to the northern division of scotland during the most critical and interesting periods, with a genealogical table of the clan. The majority of general mackay history derives from the book book of mackay published in 1906 by the historian angus mackay. The mackay family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland between 1840 and 1920. About our mackay clan clan mackay tartan gifts and products. As can be seen from the stones mounted on all roads leading into mackay territory see photo on the right, even though lord reay has long since sold his property, the mackays still hold their land. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing for connection and elucidation, besides accounts of many other scottish families, a variety of.
This was a start for the the clan in their accumulation of lands and property. The mckay family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland. The women were called nic aoidh, meaning daughter of fire they are one of the most influential clans of scottish history. Ps this clan never fell to the romans clan mackay the clan mackay of strathnaver, lord reay, varrich castle and the battles that make up some of the clan history with pictures and paintings. They fought in many battles, both with their neighbouring clans and against the rebelling jacobite forces, and occupied a large amount of territory in the north of scotland in the area once known as strathnaver. This web page shows only a small excerpt of our mackay research. Journey from strathnavers mystical past, through the emergence of the clan mackay to the tragedy of the highland clearances. Mckay family crest tile coaster by coats of arms, family crests. Those families who acquired their names through marriage or from other families combining with the clan are true clans people. Fortunately thanks to some scholars through the years there are some good historical publications remaining giving a better than most historical rundown on clan history. An opportunity to meet some fine people who share a common heritage with you. The clan mackay genealogy project centres around the original mackay emigrant, and from that generation backwards into scottish history and forward in the line of direct descent to clan members andor their cousins. A part of who we are explores the ceilidh tradition of the furthest north west corner of scotland and the history that has shaped it.
Castle varrich was the first, borve castle was another. Their clan motto, with a strong hand, speaks to their fortitude. In 1263, iye appears as chamberlain to walter, bishop of caithness, and by the 14th century, the clan was well established in strathnaver. We stock a large range of gifts including mackay tartan tie and tartan scarf and the mackay kilt pin. The origins of the clan mackay and their place in history scottish clan minibook by rennie mcowan mar 31, 1997. In 1840 there were 7 mackay families living in new york. Tannach house in modern times the battle of tannach was fought between clan keith assisted by clan mackay against clan gunn the inhabitants of caithness assembled an army and met the mackays and keiths at a place in caithness called blair tannie after a cruel fight the keiths and mackays had the victory by means chiefly of an assynt man john mor macianriabhaich who consequently became. A comprehensive, full account of the military contributions made by clan mackay is not possible within the scope of this web site. The origins of the clan mackay and their place in history scottish clan minibook. Descent is claimed for the mackays from the royal house of moray through the line of morgund of pluscarden. Clan mackay the clan mackay of strathnaver, lord reay, varrich castle and the battles that make up some of the clan history with pictures and paintings. We acknowledge with humble appreciation the work of dr. History of the house and clan of mackay, containing for connection and elucidation, besides accounts of many other scottish families, a variety of historical notices, more particularly of those relating to the northern division of scotland during the most critical and interesting periods.
The clan mackay society was founded in 1808 and is one of the oldest clan societies in scotland. Another 299 words 21 lines of text covering the years 1408, 1411, 1429, 29, 1506, 1575, 1873, 1940, 1640, 1692, 1689, 1726, 1692 and are included under the topic early mackay history in all our pdf extended history products and printed products wherever possible. Dec 31, 2012 memories of 2012 from around scotland. Mac aoidh is an ancient and once powerful scottish clan from the countrys far north in the scottish highlands, but with roots. The acceptance of the mackay s origin deriving from morgund. In the 17th century the chief of clan mackay was made lord reay. Historically clan mackay were one of the most powerful of the ancient highland clans. Shop mackay tartan fabric, clothing and accessories and discover their history. The morgans appear to have gradually spread down the east coast as far as fife, where the placename ramornie means.
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