Clan Strachan
Encyclopedia
Clan Strachan
is a Scottish clan
originating from Aberdeenshire
. The clan does not currently have a chief, therefore it is treated as an Armigerous clan
.
The Clan Strachan warcry–slogan is Clachnaben!
is a geologic fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven
in the east. It separates two distinctly different physiographic regions: the Highlands from the Lowlands, but in most places it is only recognisable as a change in topography. The Strachan District (or Strachan, Aberdeenshire
aka the original Strachan lands and home of all Strachans) is located in Aberdeenshire
some 15 miles northeast of Stonehaven
, north of the Highland Boundary Fault
, and is therefore properly recognized as a Scottish Highland clan. A few websites and various unofficial sources mistakenly purport that Clan Strachan is a Lowland clan, possibly because one of the Strachan castles (Thornton Castle) is located in Kincardineshire
, just south of the Highland Boundary Fault
in Laurencekirk
(Strachan occupied 1348–1687). However, the noble Houses of Strachan (Thornton, Glenkindie, Lenturk, Carmyllie, and the Barony in Aberdeenshire) all originated from the pre-feudal Earldom (post-feudal Barony) of Strachan (aka the Strachan District). In addition to the location of the Strachan District being in the Royal Deeside Grampian Highlands of Scotland, which is well north of the Highland boundary, the other chiefly Houses of Strachan of equal stature to the House of Thornton were all located well north of the Highland Boundary Fault
(e.g. Strachans of Glenkindie, Strachans of Lenturk). The Strachans of Glenkindie have occupied Glenkindie Castle, (and later, Glenkindie House) far longer than their Strachan cousins occupied Thornton Castle. In fact, the last chief of Clan Strachan, Bart. Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, RN never stepped foot inside Thornton Castle. Although the family retained the Barony of Thornton, the property itself had been sold (in 1687) some 140 years prior to his death in 1828. Sir Richard, his wife and children settled in London after he retired from the Royal Navy. At the age of sixty-seven, Sir Richard John Strachan died at his residence, in Bryanstone-square, London, after a short illness, on 3 February 1828. Sir Richard's death, with no male heir, marked the definitive end of a dynasty that had lasted nearly 500 years.
in 1200. The charter permitted the pastor to hunt on Strachan lands, to graze 60 pigs, 60 cows, and 20 horses on pastures between the Rivers Feugh and Dee and to obtain timber from the Wood of Goach (which to this day forms the northern part of the village of Strachan). In return for this, prayers were to be said for the souls of Waldeve and his ancestors, and he was to be buried at the priory. This grant pertains to the lands currently located on the present-day village of Strachan in Aberdeenshire, and subsequently ties the ‘de Strachan’ family directly to the barony of Strachan.
John, son of Rudolph de Strachane, gave the lands to the Abbey of Dunfermline which was confirmed by a charter of King Alexander III of Scotland
in 1278.
The barony of Strachan and the lands of Feteresso passed to the Clan Keith
family from the Strachans by marriage, in the reign of King David II of Scotland
, but Sir James Strachan of Monboddo obtained the lands of Thornton in Kincardine. He had two sons the elder, Duncan, took the lands of Monboddo, while the younger had the lands of Thornton.
During the Civil War, the chief, Colonel Archibald Strachan, led a body of dragoons from Clan Strachan at the Battle of Carbisdale
in 1650, where he held command under General Sir David Leslie on the side of the Covenanters. They were victorious against the Royalist army of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
.
In 1654, Chief Sir James Strachan, 3rd baronet and 17th laird, married his 16-year-old cousin Elizabeth Forbes
of Waterton. Their son James Strachan married Barbara Forbes of Newton. He led the clan at the Battle of Killiecrankie
on the side of John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee
where he was killed. After his death to the estate passed into the successive ownership of three Forbes lairds and, in 1720, to Thomas Fullerton of Gallery, the initials of whose son, Phillip (Beau) Fullerton of the Dragoon Guards and of his wife Katharine Scott of Benholm embellish the gilded weather-vane on the keep.
, Admiral Sir Richard Strachan
, 6th baronet from the direct line of the chieftainship of the Clan Strachan, commanded a squadron. On 2 November 1805, his squadron engaged four French battleships that had escaped from Lord Nelson's triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar
. Sir Richard captured all four French vessels with little loss of British life. He was created a Knight of the Bath and in 1810 was granted freedom of the City of London
.
. The Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society recognizes Major Benjamin Strachan as the current
head (or Patron) of the clan. Benjamin and his wife Lize are the current owners of the Mill of Strachan Aberdeenshire.
The original Chief of Clan Strachan were the 'de Strachan' barons, whose lands included much of what is now the Royal Deeside area of the Grampian Highlands. In 1296, the barons ‘de Strachan’ were important local nobles until this time, when they backed the Earls of Buchan and Comyn (to whom they were probably related) in support of King John Balliol against Robert the Bruce. This culminated in the Battle of Inverurie in 1308, by whom they were defeated by the Bruce and disinherited. The barony 'de Strachan' passed to Bruce’s Great Chamberlain, Sir Alexander Fraser.
Fifty years later, at around 1350, shortly after King Robert's son and successor, David II, had been defeated and captured by the English, 1341, at the battle of Neville's Cross six descendants of the former Baron de Strachan received grants of lands and baronetcies.
It is highly unlikely this is a coincidence, as all these grants occurred almost simultaneously, particularly as they involved marriages, and marriages amongst the nobility were almost invariably political. It follows that there must have been some new motivation that made marriage with the Strachans politically desirable.
It is believed by historians (see "Notes" immediately below) that the former Baron de Strachan was one of the large numbers of pro-Balliol nobles who, after the Battle of Inverurie (1308) fled to the English court, and where they were known as "the disinherited". But in 1347, King David, honouring obligations under the Franco-Scottish alliance, invaded the north of England, were heavily defeated, and captured by the English. So, from the perspective of “the disinherited", here was the son of the man (King Robert the Bruce) who had disinherited them arriving captive in London. If one king could disinherit them, why should not another? With a little persuasion King David reinstated the Strachans, among others.
NOTES:
1. Strachan, Major Benjamin, CMG. Author of "A History of the Strachans."
2. Strachan, James Andrew, FSA Scot. Author of "Here's Tae Us, Wha's Like Us – A History of Clan Strachan."
Strachan
Strachan is a surname of Scottish origin , and may refer to:* Andy Strachan drummer* Archibald Strachan Scottish soldier* Conor Strachan * Douglas Strachan Scottish designer of stained glass windows...
is a Scottish clan
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...
originating from Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
. The clan does not currently have a chief, therefore it is treated as an Armigerous clan
Armigerous clan
An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
.
The Clan Strachan warcry–slogan is Clachnaben!
Highland Clan
The Highland Boundary FaultHighland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east...
is a geologic fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven
Stonehaven
Stonehaven is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies on Scotland's northeast coast and had a population of 9,577 in 2001 census.Stonehaven, county town of Kincardineshire, grew around an Iron Age fishing village, now the "Auld Toon" , and expanded inland from the seaside...
in the east. It separates two distinctly different physiographic regions: the Highlands from the Lowlands, but in most places it is only recognisable as a change in topography. The Strachan District (or Strachan, Aberdeenshire
Strachan, Aberdeenshire
Strachan is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland that lies along the Water of Feugh, a tributary of the River Dee, Aberdeenshire, a few miles southwest of Banchory....
aka the original Strachan lands and home of all Strachans) is located in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
some 15 miles northeast of Stonehaven
Stonehaven
Stonehaven is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies on Scotland's northeast coast and had a population of 9,577 in 2001 census.Stonehaven, county town of Kincardineshire, grew around an Iron Age fishing village, now the "Auld Toon" , and expanded inland from the seaside...
, north of the Highland Boundary Fault
Highland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east...
, and is therefore properly recognized as a Scottish Highland clan. A few websites and various unofficial sources mistakenly purport that Clan Strachan is a Lowland clan, possibly because one of the Strachan castles (Thornton Castle) is located in Kincardineshire
Kincardineshire
The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland...
, just south of the Highland Boundary Fault
Highland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east...
in Laurencekirk
Laurencekirk
Laurencekirk is a small town in the ancient county of Kincardineshire, modern county of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, just off the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen main road. It is the largest settlement in the Howe o' the Mearns area and houses the local secondary school; Mearns Academy, which was awarded the...
(Strachan occupied 1348–1687). However, the noble Houses of Strachan (Thornton, Glenkindie, Lenturk, Carmyllie, and the Barony in Aberdeenshire) all originated from the pre-feudal Earldom (post-feudal Barony) of Strachan (aka the Strachan District). In addition to the location of the Strachan District being in the Royal Deeside Grampian Highlands of Scotland, which is well north of the Highland boundary, the other chiefly Houses of Strachan of equal stature to the House of Thornton were all located well north of the Highland Boundary Fault
Highland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east...
(e.g. Strachans of Glenkindie, Strachans of Lenturk). The Strachans of Glenkindie have occupied Glenkindie Castle, (and later, Glenkindie House) far longer than their Strachan cousins occupied Thornton Castle. In fact, the last chief of Clan Strachan, Bart. Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, RN never stepped foot inside Thornton Castle. Although the family retained the Barony of Thornton, the property itself had been sold (in 1687) some 140 years prior to his death in 1828. Sir Richard, his wife and children settled in London after he retired from the Royal Navy. At the age of sixty-seven, Sir Richard John Strachan died at his residence, in Bryanstone-square, London, after a short illness, on 3 February 1828. Sir Richard's death, with no male heir, marked the definitive end of a dynasty that had lasted nearly 500 years.
History
Origins
Walderus de Stratheihen made a grant of lands to the church of St AndrewsSt Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
in 1200. The charter permitted the pastor to hunt on Strachan lands, to graze 60 pigs, 60 cows, and 20 horses on pastures between the Rivers Feugh and Dee and to obtain timber from the Wood of Goach (which to this day forms the northern part of the village of Strachan). In return for this, prayers were to be said for the souls of Waldeve and his ancestors, and he was to be buried at the priory. This grant pertains to the lands currently located on the present-day village of Strachan in Aberdeenshire, and subsequently ties the ‘de Strachan’ family directly to the barony of Strachan.
John, son of Rudolph de Strachane, gave the lands to the Abbey of Dunfermline which was confirmed by a charter of King Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
in 1278.
The barony of Strachan and the lands of Feteresso passed to the Clan Keith
Clan Keith
Clan Keith is a Scottish clan associated with Aberdeenshire and Caithness.-Origins:It is said that a Scottish warrior slew the Danish General Camus at the legendary Battle of Barrie in 1010. For this, King Máel Coluim II of Scotland dipped three fingers into the blood of the slain and drew them...
family from the Strachans by marriage, in the reign of King David II of Scotland
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
, but Sir James Strachan of Monboddo obtained the lands of Thornton in Kincardine. He had two sons the elder, Duncan, took the lands of Monboddo, while the younger had the lands of Thornton.
17th century and Civil War
Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by King Charles I in 1625. The baronetcy passed in to the senior line of Monboddo by a charter under the great seal in 1663.During the Civil War, the chief, Colonel Archibald Strachan, led a body of dragoons from Clan Strachan at the Battle of Carbisdale
Battle of Carbisdale
The Battle of Carbisdale took place close to the Village of Culrain on 27 April 1650 and was part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
in 1650, where he held command under General Sir David Leslie on the side of the Covenanters. They were victorious against the Royalist army of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
.
In 1654, Chief Sir James Strachan, 3rd baronet and 17th laird, married his 16-year-old cousin Elizabeth Forbes
Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
of Waterton. Their son James Strachan married Barbara Forbes of Newton. He led the clan at the Battle of Killiecrankie
Battle of Killiecrankie
-References:*Reid, Stuart, The Battle of Kiellliecrankkie -External links:* *...
on the side of John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee
John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee
John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee , known as the 7th Laird of Claverhouse until raised to the viscounty in 1688, was a Scottish soldier and nobleman, a Tory and an Episcopalian...
where he was killed. After his death to the estate passed into the successive ownership of three Forbes lairds and, in 1720, to Thomas Fullerton of Gallery, the initials of whose son, Phillip (Beau) Fullerton of the Dragoon Guards and of his wife Katharine Scott of Benholm embellish the gilded weather-vane on the keep.
Napoleonic Wars
In the 19th century, during the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, Admiral Sir Richard Strachan
Sir Richard Strachan, 6th Baronet
Sir Richard John Strachan, 6th Baronet GCB was a British officer of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral.-Childhood:...
, 6th baronet from the direct line of the chieftainship of the Clan Strachan, commanded a squadron. On 2 November 1805, his squadron engaged four French battleships that had escaped from Lord Nelson's triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. Sir Richard captured all four French vessels with little loss of British life. He was created a Knight of the Bath and in 1810 was granted freedom of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
Present day
The last chief of Clan Strachan was one Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan (Bart.), RN, who died in 1828. As he was without male heir, his title and the baronetcy became dormant in 1854. To this day, the Strachan surname is recognized by the Court of the Lord Lyon, and the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs as an Armigerous clanArmigerous clan
An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
. The Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society recognizes Major Benjamin Strachan as the current
head (or Patron) of the clan. Benjamin and his wife Lize are the current owners of the Mill of Strachan Aberdeenshire.
Clan Castle
The last seat of the chief of Clan Strachan was at Thornton Castle.The original Chief of Clan Strachan were the 'de Strachan' barons, whose lands included much of what is now the Royal Deeside area of the Grampian Highlands. In 1296, the barons ‘de Strachan’ were important local nobles until this time, when they backed the Earls of Buchan and Comyn (to whom they were probably related) in support of King John Balliol against Robert the Bruce. This culminated in the Battle of Inverurie in 1308, by whom they were defeated by the Bruce and disinherited. The barony 'de Strachan' passed to Bruce’s Great Chamberlain, Sir Alexander Fraser.
Fifty years later, at around 1350, shortly after King Robert's son and successor, David II, had been defeated and captured by the English, 1341, at the battle of Neville's Cross six descendants of the former Baron de Strachan received grants of lands and baronetcies.
- House of Glenkindie: Adam Strachan was granted lands in Aberdeenshire from William Keith (1350). William Keith had inherited the barony of Strachan through his mother, the daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser and niece of King Robert I. Adam Strachan also married the Daughter of the Earl of Mar, Margaret Mar, and gained the lands and baronetcy of Glenkindie. As a result of this marriage between the Strachan of Glenkindie and the Earldom of Mar, Strachans may wear the Tribe of Mar tartan. Additionally, as the Earldom of Mar were related to the King Robert the Bruce, descendants from this marriage would no doubt have royal blood. Glenkindie House
- House of Thornton: In 1348, seven years before Adam Strachan obtained Glenkindie, a Sir James Strachan of Monboddo married Agnete, heiress of the Barony of Thornton, which had been granted to her father by Robert I in 1309. From thenceforth, the Strachans of Thornton and the Strachans of Glenkindie became the two principal chieftains of the Strachan family. Thornton Castle lies about 15 miles to the south of the village of Strachan and Glenkindie House lies about 30 miles to its north. Thornton Castle
- House of CarmyllieCarmyllieCarmyllie is a rural parish in Angus, Scotland. It is situated on high ground between Arbroath, on the coast, and the inland county town of Forfar. The main settlements in the parish are Redford, Greystone and Milton of Carmyllie. There is a Church of Scotland church and a primary school...
: Alexander de Strachan granted the barony of Carmylie in Forfarshire (1347) by Sir Henry MauleHenry MauleSir Henry Maule was the son and heir of Sir William Maule, Baron of Panmure and Benvie and Ethana de Vallibus, daughter of John Vaux, Lord of Dirleton. William succeeded as Baron on his father's death and was married to Margaret Hay, daughter of Sir William Hay of Locherworth.He was knighted by...
(or Mauld) of Panmure. Also received the lands of Drummayeth, Hackmangerum, Acheyclare, and Moncur. Carmyllie Castle
- House of Lenturk: Sir John de Strachan was granted the barony of Lenturk in Aberdeenshire (1350 possibly by the Earl of Mar, as his lands were situated quite near to the Earl of Mar's fortress, Kildrummy Castle). In 1359, Sir John became Viscount (Sheriff) of Forfarshire. In official documents of the time, he is listed as a witness to the installation of John of Mar as Bishop of Aberdeen and, to another charter, as co-witness with William Keith, the Earl Marshall. In 1380, the granted the lands of Petgervy to his son Galfrid. Lenturk Castle
- Barony of Aberdeenshire: ~1347, King David II himself granted to Donald de Strachan and his wife Annabel very extensive lands in Forfarshire, and a barony in Aberdeenshire.
- House of Knock: Thomas de Strachan got the lands of Knock in Kincardineshire.
It is highly unlikely this is a coincidence, as all these grants occurred almost simultaneously, particularly as they involved marriages, and marriages amongst the nobility were almost invariably political. It follows that there must have been some new motivation that made marriage with the Strachans politically desirable.
It is believed by historians (see "Notes" immediately below) that the former Baron de Strachan was one of the large numbers of pro-Balliol nobles who, after the Battle of Inverurie (1308) fled to the English court, and where they were known as "the disinherited". But in 1347, King David, honouring obligations under the Franco-Scottish alliance, invaded the north of England, were heavily defeated, and captured by the English. So, from the perspective of “the disinherited", here was the son of the man (King Robert the Bruce) who had disinherited them arriving captive in London. If one king could disinherit them, why should not another? With a little persuasion King David reinstated the Strachans, among others.
NOTES:
1. Strachan, Major Benjamin, CMG. Author of "A History of the Strachans."
2. Strachan, James Andrew, FSA Scot. Author of "Here's Tae Us, Wha's Like Us – A History of Clan Strachan."
Clan Septs
The Anglicization of the Gaelic led to different spellings of the name, as transliterations were made in various censuses: Strachan (mainly Scots), Straghan (mainly Irish), or Strahan (both) and Strawn (American).See also
- Scottish clanScottish clanScottish 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...
- Armigerous clanArmigerous clanAn armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
- Strachan, AberdeenshireStrachan, AberdeenshireStrachan is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland that lies along the Water of Feugh, a tributary of the River Dee, Aberdeenshire, a few miles southwest of Banchory....
- Strachan BaronetsStrachan BaronetsThere have been two Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Strachan, both in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. Both are currently either extinct or dormant....
- StrachanStrachanStrachan is a surname of Scottish origin , and may refer to:* Andy Strachan drummer* Archibald Strachan Scottish soldier* Conor Strachan * Douglas Strachan Scottish designer of stained glass windows...
- Clan Strachan Book Store
- Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
External links
- Official Clan Strachan Society Website
- http://www.strachan-clan.net/
- http://www.strachan-clan.co.uk/
- http://www.clanchiefs.org/p/?init=clanfinder&id=strachan
- http://electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/strachan2.html
- http://www.potts.net.au/tree/origin/strachan_name.html
- The Strachan, Straughn, Straughan, Strawn, Strawhen Family Website