Burnetts of Leys
Encyclopedia
Clan Burnett is a Lowland Scottish clan
from Deeside
, near Banchory
in Northeast Scotland. From the early 14th century to the mid 16th century the family occupied a lake dwelling on the Loch of Leys, and resided here or on land near the lake for over 200 years. It is from this lake that the family eventually acquired the title "of Leys".
itself is disputed. It has been proposed that Burnett is derived from the Old French
burnete, brunette, which is a diminutive
of brun meaning "brown", "dark brown". Another proposed origin of the name is from burnete, a high quality wool cloth originally dyed to a dark brown colour. There is also evidence which suggests that Burnett stems from the English surname of Burnard, a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon name "Beornheard". The latter theory is accepted by the National Trust for Scotland, which traces the Burnetts of Leys to an original Alexander Burnard of English ancestry, who had arrived in Deeside by 1323. On this topic the Trust states: "There is proof beyond all reasonable doubt that the Saxon family of Burnard, which flourished in England before the Norman Conquest, were forbearers of the first Alexander Burnard who settled on Deeside". In support of this theory, evidence has been gathered from the Domesday Survey, the Chartulary of St. Neots, and certain charters of the Abbey of Waltham, to trace the Burnard family from the Norman Conquest to the thirteenth century.
, on the Loch of Leys.
The history of the family from this time onward is recorded in detail. During the next three centuries the Burnetts came to gain prominence in the area by making connections with the church, and acquiring more land. By the early 17th century Crathes Castle
had been commissioned by the family and completed. Crathes remained in the ownership of the Burnett family descendants for over 300 years, until 1952 when it was given to the National Trust for Scotland
as part of Scotland's heritage.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
from Deeside
Deeside
For Strathdee in Scotland see River Dee, AberdeenshireDeeside is the name given to the predominantly industrial conurbation of towns and villages that lie on, or near the River Dee in Chester. These include, Connah's Quay, Mancot, Pentre, Shotton, Queensferry, Sealand, Broughton, Hawarden,...
, near Banchory
Banchory
Banchory is a burgh or town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lying approximately 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee.- Overview :...
in Northeast Scotland. From the early 14th century to the mid 16th century the family occupied a lake dwelling on the Loch of Leys, and resided here or on land near the lake for over 200 years. It is from this lake that the family eventually acquired the title "of Leys".
Origins
The family's exact origin is debated to this day, as the origin of the surname BurnettBurnett (surname)
Burnett English surname. It is derived from a nickname, from the Old French burnete, brunette, which is a diminutive of brun meaning "brown", "dark brown". Another proposed origin of the name is from burnete, a high quality wool cloth originally dyed to a dark brown colour.-Use of the surname:* A....
itself is disputed. It has been proposed that Burnett is derived from the Old French
Old French
Old French was the Romance dialect continuum spoken in territories that span roughly the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium and Switzerland from the 9th century to the 14th century...
burnete, brunette, which is a diminutive
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
of brun meaning "brown", "dark brown". Another proposed origin of the name is from burnete, a high quality wool cloth originally dyed to a dark brown colour. There is also evidence which suggests that Burnett stems from the English surname of Burnard, a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon name "Beornheard". The latter theory is accepted by the National Trust for Scotland, which traces the Burnetts of Leys to an original Alexander Burnard of English ancestry, who had arrived in Deeside by 1323. On this topic the Trust states: "There is proof beyond all reasonable doubt that the Saxon family of Burnard, which flourished in England before the Norman Conquest, were forbearers of the first Alexander Burnard who settled on Deeside". In support of this theory, evidence has been gathered from the Domesday Survey, the Chartulary of St. Neots, and certain charters of the Abbey of Waltham, to trace the Burnard family from the Norman Conquest to the thirteenth century.
History
In this time The Burnards are seen to migrate north to the Scottish border country with a number of other Norman English families during the reign of David I. They soon move on to the Northeast of Scotland, where Alexander Burnard settled near Banchory. This Alexander Burnard is considered "The first of the Deeside Burnards, or Burnetts as they were later called". Alexander was a follower the famous Robert the Bruce, who "took the throne (as Robert I) and freed Scotland from the yoke of English rule". For his services to the king he was rewarded in 1323 with land in Banchory and a position as the Royal Forester of Drum. This is when the Burnard or Burnett family first took up residence on an artificial island called a crannogCrannog
A crannog is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes, rivers and estuarine waters of Scotland and Ireland. Crannogs were used as dwellings over five millennia from the European Neolithic Period, to as late as the 17th/early 18th century although in Scotland,...
, on the Loch of Leys.
The history of the family from this time onward is recorded in detail. During the next three centuries the Burnetts came to gain prominence in the area by making connections with the church, and acquiring more land. By the early 17th century Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was held in that family for almost 400 years...
had been commissioned by the family and completed. Crathes remained in the ownership of the Burnett family descendants for over 300 years, until 1952 when it was given to the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
as part of Scotland's heritage.
Clan profile
- Clan chief: The current chiefScottish clan chiefThe Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of the clan is James Comyn Amherst Burnett of Leys. - Chiefly arms: The chief's coat of armsCoat of armsA coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is blazoned: Argent, three holly leaves in chief vert and a hunting horn in base sable, garnished or, stringed gules. SupportersSupportersIn heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. These figures may be real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or inanimate objects...
: A Highlander in hunting garb and a greyhound. Crest: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested vert doubled argent, pruning a vine tree with a pruning knife, proper. Motto: Virescit vulnere virtus (from LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: "courage flourishes at a wound"). SloganSlogan (heraldry)A slogan is used in Scottish heraldry as a heraldic motto or a secondary motto. It usually appears above the crest on a coat of arms, though sometimes it appears as a secondary motto beneath the shield...
: Alterius pon sit qui suus esse potest (from French: "let him not be another's who can be his own"). - Clan member's crest badge: The crest badgeScottish crest badgeA Scottish crest badge is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to an individual or membership in a specific Scottish clan. Crest badges are commonly called clan crests, but this is a misnomer; there is no such thing as a collective clan crest, just as there is no such thing as a clan coat of...
suitable for members of the clan contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested Vert doubled Argent pruning a vinetree with a pruning knife Proper. The motto is: Virescit vulnere virtus. The motto can translate from Latin as "her virtue flourishes by her wounds" or "courage flourishes at a wound". - Branches of the clan: There are several branches of Clan Burnett; these include the Burnetts of Barns, the Burnetts of Crimond, the Ramsays of Balmain, the Burnetts of Monboddo, the Burnetts of Craigmyle, and the Burnetts of Kemnay.
- Clan tartan: There are two recognised clan tartans: "Burnett of Leys Dress" and "Burnett of Leys Hunting".