Dubgall mac Somairle
Encyclopedia
Dubgall mac Somairle was a 12th century Scottish
nobleman. The son of Somairle mac Gille Brigte
, regulus
of Argyll
, Dubgall is the eponymous progenitor of Clan MacDougall
(Clann Dubhghaill, literally "Children of Dougal" or "Dubgall").
According to the Chronicles of Mann, in 1155 he accompanied his father Somairle in an expedition against Goraidh mac Amhlaibh, King of Mann and the Isles. In 1175, he was one of the Scottish magnates accompanying King William the Lion
to York
. In the same year, he and his chaplain Stephan made a pilgrimage to St Cuthbert at Durham
, donating two gold rings to the Cathedral Priory
. The Chronicles of Mann alleged that the men of the Isles chose Dubgall to be their King, but this may have been a later concoction, and Dubgall is never given a title in any contemporary source. It has been suggested that he was the founder of the bishopric of Argyll
, though more likely this took place under his brother Ragnall.
It is not known when Dubgall died. Dubgall is not mentioned again after 1175, but may have lived long afterwards, perhaps even into the 13th century. He appears to have had the following sons,
The last is uncertain. Gille Escoib appears in Haakon's Saga, which renders his name "Uspak", as a son of Dubgall upon whom is conferred the royal name Haakon; "Uspak" enjoyed a successful career, but it is not entirely certain that the Dubgall referred as his father is Dubgall mac Somairle.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
nobleman. The son of Somairle mac Gille Brigte
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
, regulus
Regulus
Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, lying approximately 77.5 light years from Earth. Regulus is a multiple star system composed of four stars which are organized into two pairs...
of Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
, Dubgall is the eponymous progenitor of Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...
(Clann Dubhghaill, literally "Children of Dougal" or "Dubgall").
According to the Chronicles of Mann, in 1155 he accompanied his father Somairle in an expedition against Goraidh mac Amhlaibh, King of Mann and the Isles. In 1175, he was one of the Scottish magnates accompanying King William the Lion
William I of Scotland
William the Lion , sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214...
to York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
. In the same year, he and his chaplain Stephan made a pilgrimage to St Cuthbert at Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
, donating two gold rings to the Cathedral Priory
Durham Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The Bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093...
. The Chronicles of Mann alleged that the men of the Isles chose Dubgall to be their King, but this may have been a later concoction, and Dubgall is never given a title in any contemporary source. It has been suggested that he was the founder of the bishopric of Argyll
Bishop of Argyll
The Bishop of Argyll or Bishop of Lismore was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Argyll, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. It was created in 1200, when the western half of the territory of the Bishopric of Dunkeld was formed into the new diocese. The bishops were based at Lismore...
, though more likely this took place under his brother Ragnall.
It is not known when Dubgall died. Dubgall is not mentioned again after 1175, but may have lived long afterwards, perhaps even into the 13th century. He appears to have had the following sons,
- Amlaib mac Dubgaill (Olaf)
- Donnchad mac Dubgaill (Duncan)
- Ragnall mac Dubgaill (Ranald or Ronald)
- Dubgall "Screech" mac Dubgaill (Dougal or Dugald)
- Somairle mac Dubgaill (Somerled or Sorley)
- Gille Escoib mac Dubgaill (Uspak and Haakon)
The last is uncertain. Gille Escoib appears in Haakon's Saga, which renders his name "Uspak", as a son of Dubgall upon whom is conferred the royal name Haakon; "Uspak" enjoyed a successful career, but it is not entirely certain that the Dubgall referred as his father is Dubgall mac Somairle.