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videlicet: Quarterly; first, a lymphad with sails curled and oars down erased Or,
langued Sable, second and third, Gules, a wolf’s head erased Or, langued Sable
and fourth, Azure, a stags head cabossed Or; overall a cross-crosslet fitche’e
Or. Above the shield is placed a high pointed Bascinet with keel befitting his
degree with a Mantling Azure doubled Or, and on a Wreath of the liveries is set
for Crest a wolf’s head erased Proper charged of a cross-crosslet fitche’e
Sable and in an Escrol over the same this motto “Ceann da shail Fhads is beo bi’n
dochas”
langued Sable, second and third, Gules, a wolf’s head erased Or, langued Sable
and fourth, Azure, a stags head cabossed Or; overall a cross-crosslet fitche’e
Or. Above the shield is placed a high pointed Bascinet with keel befitting his
degree with a Mantling Azure doubled Or, and on a Wreath of the liveries is set
for Crest a wolf’s head erased Proper charged of a cross-crosslet fitche’e
Sable and in an Escrol over the same this motto “Ceann da shail Fhads is beo bi’n
dochas”
| facal-suaichentais (motto) : Ceann da shail, Fhads is beo bi’n dochas Kintail, while I live, I hope |
| sluagh-ghairm (slogan) : Donnal na madah allaidh Howl of the wolf |
furze - also
called gorse or
whin, it flowers
in spring and
because of its
thorns it was
felt to have
protective
powers. A sprig
was worn on the
bonnet for
identification
called gorse or
whin, it flowers
in spring and
because of its
thorns it was
felt to have
protective
powers. A sprig
was worn on the
bonnet for
identification
The oral traditions of the clan were passed down from
generation to generation by the seanachaidh, as was their
custom. As descendents of Conn Ceud Cathach of Ireland, the
suaicheantas of the Clann Ghill’-Fhinnein was differenced
from those of their ancestor Sealbach and the Cenel Loairn.
The MacKenzie and Matheson progenitors were descendants of
Ghille Eoin na hAirde families. They were thus co-heirs with the
descendants of the Bysets. Originally from Argyll and
followers of MacDougall of Lorn, the MacIvors and MacLeays
accompanied the brides of the early Chiefs of Clan MacKenzie/
Matheson, as bodyguards (an Luchd Tighe).
Coinneach Mac Mathghamhna (1250) married a daughter of
MacIomhar. His son Murchadh (c.1270), from whom descended
the Clan Matheson and arguably, MacKenzie, married a
daughter of MacSealbhaich28, head of the prominent local
family. His son, Coinneach na Sroine (1321) married MacDougall
of Lorn. it is apparent that that there was a well structured
attempt by the Matheson / MacKenzie gene pool to secure an
alliance with the families of Lorn. One must assume, that these
martial families of Lorn had a social and political status that
was beneficial for the aspirations of the family.
The great-grandson of Coinneach, “Murchedus Revach Armiger”
witnessed a charter by Alexander, Lord of the Isles, in 1438.
The above suggests a similar status as “armigers” of the
families involved. There are numerous other associations that
reinforce this fact, some of which are to follow.
Tradition suggests that in the 13th Century, MacSealbhaich
(aka madah-allaidh,) displayed the wolf in his arms. The 14th
Century arms of Donnchadh added the stags head as a result
of his defense of Eilean Donnan.
generation to generation by the seanachaidh, as was their
custom. As descendents of Conn Ceud Cathach of Ireland, the
suaicheantas of the Clann Ghill’-Fhinnein was differenced
from those of their ancestor Sealbach and the Cenel Loairn.
The MacKenzie and Matheson progenitors were descendants of
Ghille Eoin na hAirde families. They were thus co-heirs with the
descendants of the Bysets. Originally from Argyll and
followers of MacDougall of Lorn, the MacIvors and MacLeays
accompanied the brides of the early Chiefs of Clan MacKenzie/
Matheson, as bodyguards (an Luchd Tighe).
Coinneach Mac Mathghamhna (1250) married a daughter of
MacIomhar. His son Murchadh (c.1270), from whom descended
the Clan Matheson and arguably, MacKenzie, married a
daughter of MacSealbhaich28, head of the prominent local
family. His son, Coinneach na Sroine (1321) married MacDougall
of Lorn. it is apparent that that there was a well structured
attempt by the Matheson / MacKenzie gene pool to secure an
alliance with the families of Lorn. One must assume, that these
martial families of Lorn had a social and political status that
was beneficial for the aspirations of the family.
The great-grandson of Coinneach, “Murchedus Revach Armiger”
witnessed a charter by Alexander, Lord of the Isles, in 1438.
The above suggests a similar status as “armigers” of the
families involved. There are numerous other associations that
reinforce this fact, some of which are to follow.
Tradition suggests that in the 13th Century, MacSealbhaich
(aka madah-allaidh,) displayed the wolf in his arms. The 14th
Century arms of Donnchadh added the stags head as a result
of his defense of Eilean Donnan.
By the start of the 16thCentury, increasing population pressures in Glenelg and
Kintail, internecine warfare and “encouraged” relocations, compelled the fhine to
act independently at times. This necessitated that additional leadership evolve in
Kintail under the gilfine system.
During the civil wars, the MacLennans were opposed to Charles I and the Royalist
cause, in two different theaters. In Ireland, Ulleachan Dubh and many of the duaine
uasail were killed in the siege of Ballycastle, in 1642. His heir, Uilleam (2), his
brothers Gilbert and John continued to resist Royalist attempts to gain control of
Ireland. Uilleam (2) died in 1666, leaving his son Eoin (3), then a minor, under the
tutelage of his brother Andrew. Colm and Donald returned to Kintail to join with
their clansmen supporting Seaforth.
In Kintail, Ruariadh MacIan Domhnall Ban, bannerman of Seaforth, lead a
contingent of allied clans opposing the forces of Montrose. Heralding a joint
venture, Ruariadh was assisted by his cousins Colm and Donald in this effort.
Alasdair MacColla defeated the Covenanters at Auldearn in 1645. Here 18
MacLennans of rank were killed including those above. General Monk’s occupation
of Kintail in 1645 compelled Ruariadh’s son, Iain mhor to seek refuge on the
continent. He is alleged to have been an officer in a regiment of ex-patriot Scots in
Holland.
In 1692, the Scottish Parliament ratified the earlier act of 1592 requiring persons
using arms to register them with the Lord Lyon. This act prohibited the
unregistered use of arms with a fine of 100 pounds after the first year. Many
clans and noble families failed to meet this deadline.
Thus, at the time of the Lyons act of 1692, the MacLennan leadership of Glenelg
and Kintail had not recovered from its decimation during the Civil wars. With the
dispersal of Iain of Kintail and Eoin (3) of Glenelg, economic woes and
discrimination prevented them from registering the arms of the clan with the Lord
Lyon. These mitigating circumstances contributed to the prevailing identity crisis
plaguing the Clann Ghill’-Fhinnein
His father and grandmother instructed Eoin Gle-mhor (11) in the traditions of the
clan. He was encouraged to memorize, recite and write the sloinneadh. He also had
to draw the suaicheantas, as was the custom of the family. It was evident from the
research of Eoin Gle-mhor (11) that some early MacLennan arms also included the
Columba crosslet alone or held by the right hand in their arms, as was the custom
of other West coast clans. These traditions were used in the matriculation of
arms (suaicheantas) of Eoin Gle-mhir (11) in 1985. This process was later
reinforced and supported by Clan Chief Ronald G MacLennan who recognized Eoin
Gle-mhor (11) as Lieutenant and Chieftain.
In the early 1980’s, Ronald MacLennan thought he had found a version of our
suaicheantas of Kintail, believed to have been that of Donald MacLennan, whose
ancestors resided in Holland. Initially, from the drawing in the possession of
Ronald, the 2ndand 4th quarters had what appeared to be a wolfs’ or boars’ head.
In a copy Ronald had sent to my father, it was apparent that it was actually a
boars’ head, with the following motto-Pulchrior ex arduis or the” brighter from
difficulties”. Further research revealed that they were the arms of MacKenzie of
Coul, which was depicted in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia.
William (8) had in his possession a representation of the arms of Eoin McCleneghan
(3), Chief of the MacLennans of Glenelg, that were depicted on the front page of a
history entitled the Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation (1711, 1715) by
Patrick Abercromby. William (5) donated these volumes to a parish library
established by James Stuart Menteath (c1783) of Dumfries. The grandson, Baronet
JS Menteath, returned the volume to William (7) who was then living in Bellshill
(c1860). Thus, the parallel genealogy and arms in the possession of Donald of
Slumbay, Lochalsh, (c.1740) confirmed the authenticity of the arms of the
MacLennans of Glenelg.
Kintail, internecine warfare and “encouraged” relocations, compelled the fhine to
act independently at times. This necessitated that additional leadership evolve in
Kintail under the gilfine system.
During the civil wars, the MacLennans were opposed to Charles I and the Royalist
cause, in two different theaters. In Ireland, Ulleachan Dubh and many of the duaine
uasail were killed in the siege of Ballycastle, in 1642. His heir, Uilleam (2), his
brothers Gilbert and John continued to resist Royalist attempts to gain control of
Ireland. Uilleam (2) died in 1666, leaving his son Eoin (3), then a minor, under the
tutelage of his brother Andrew. Colm and Donald returned to Kintail to join with
their clansmen supporting Seaforth.
In Kintail, Ruariadh MacIan Domhnall Ban, bannerman of Seaforth, lead a
contingent of allied clans opposing the forces of Montrose. Heralding a joint
venture, Ruariadh was assisted by his cousins Colm and Donald in this effort.
Alasdair MacColla defeated the Covenanters at Auldearn in 1645. Here 18
MacLennans of rank were killed including those above. General Monk’s occupation
of Kintail in 1645 compelled Ruariadh’s son, Iain mhor to seek refuge on the
continent. He is alleged to have been an officer in a regiment of ex-patriot Scots in
Holland.
In 1692, the Scottish Parliament ratified the earlier act of 1592 requiring persons
using arms to register them with the Lord Lyon. This act prohibited the
unregistered use of arms with a fine of 100 pounds after the first year. Many
clans and noble families failed to meet this deadline.
Thus, at the time of the Lyons act of 1692, the MacLennan leadership of Glenelg
and Kintail had not recovered from its decimation during the Civil wars. With the
dispersal of Iain of Kintail and Eoin (3) of Glenelg, economic woes and
discrimination prevented them from registering the arms of the clan with the Lord
Lyon. These mitigating circumstances contributed to the prevailing identity crisis
plaguing the Clann Ghill’-Fhinnein
His father and grandmother instructed Eoin Gle-mhor (11) in the traditions of the
clan. He was encouraged to memorize, recite and write the sloinneadh. He also had
to draw the suaicheantas, as was the custom of the family. It was evident from the
research of Eoin Gle-mhor (11) that some early MacLennan arms also included the
Columba crosslet alone or held by the right hand in their arms, as was the custom
of other West coast clans. These traditions were used in the matriculation of
arms (suaicheantas) of Eoin Gle-mhir (11) in 1985. This process was later
reinforced and supported by Clan Chief Ronald G MacLennan who recognized Eoin
Gle-mhor (11) as Lieutenant and Chieftain.
In the early 1980’s, Ronald MacLennan thought he had found a version of our
suaicheantas of Kintail, believed to have been that of Donald MacLennan, whose
ancestors resided in Holland. Initially, from the drawing in the possession of
Ronald, the 2ndand 4th quarters had what appeared to be a wolfs’ or boars’ head.
In a copy Ronald had sent to my father, it was apparent that it was actually a
boars’ head, with the following motto-Pulchrior ex arduis or the” brighter from
difficulties”. Further research revealed that they were the arms of MacKenzie of
Coul, which was depicted in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia.
William (8) had in his possession a representation of the arms of Eoin McCleneghan
(3), Chief of the MacLennans of Glenelg, that were depicted on the front page of a
history entitled the Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation (1711, 1715) by
Patrick Abercromby. William (5) donated these volumes to a parish library
established by James Stuart Menteath (c1783) of Dumfries. The grandson, Baronet
JS Menteath, returned the volume to William (7) who was then living in Bellshill
(c1860). Thus, the parallel genealogy and arms in the possession of Donald of
Slumbay, Lochalsh, (c.1740) confirmed the authenticity of the arms of the
MacLennans of Glenelg.
| Click on above image for larger view |
| The earliest known depiction of the Arms of MacLennan |