Torquil MacLeod
Encyclopedia
Torquil MacLeod (fl.
14th century) was a Hebridean lord and is today considered to be the founder of the MacLeods of Lewis
, who are known in Gaelic as Sìol Torcaill ("seed of Torcall"). He was the son of Murdoch MacLeod, and a great-grandson of Leod
, eponymous ancestor of the MacLeods.
, founder of Clan MacLeod
. Clan traditions made Torquil the brother of Tormod
, and stated that the two brothers founded the main branches of the clan— one branch being: Sìol Tormoid ("seed of Tormod"), the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; the other branch being: Sìol Torcaill ("see of Torcall"), the MacLeods of Lewis. This traditional story is no longer taken seriously by historians, and Torquil is now considered to have been the son of Murdoch, who was a grandson of Leod.
The late 20th century historian William Matheson stated that the name Torquil
was not a common one. Matheson noted that it occurs in the old genealogies of the MacNicols. Traditions linked the MacNicols with Lewis, as well as Assynt across the Minch; before being supplanted by the MacLeods who married a MacNicol heiress
. Matheson stated that the name was not used by the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; that the first MacLeod too bear the name was Torquil, son of Murdoch. In consequence, Matheson proposed that it must have been Torquil's father who married a MacNicol heiress and then gave their son the MacNicol name of Torquil. Matheson noted that a 19th century Lewis senachie recalled a tradition that "the year after Torquil became chief of the Lews, he and the MacNaughtons [MacNicols] were proceeding in their birlins
, or large boats, to Stornoway
, when MacLeod ran the boat of MacNaughton [MacNicol] down in the Sound of Jaunt[ Sound of Shiant] , and allowed the whole crew to drown". Matheson speculated that Murdoch married a MacNicol heiress, and that their son, Torquil, became heir to the MacNicol lands after their MacNicol rivals were eliminated in a conflict at sea.
during the reign of David II
(r. 1329–1371). The eminent 19th century Scottish scholar W.F. Skene noted that Torquil was not designated "of Lewis" in the charter, nor any other designation. Another 19th century historian, Donald Gregory
, stated that during this era, Torquil would have held Lewis, not from the kings of Scots, but from the lords of the Isles.
According to the 19th century Lewis senachie already mentioned, Torquil was a councillor between the Macaulays
and Morrisons—two bitter rival clans—after a battle fought by them near Barvas
.
of the MacLeods of Lewis, which contains a black burning mountain on a gold field, probably passed into the possession of the MacLeods through the marriage of a MacNicol heiress. Sellar considered the possibility that the arms may represent the MacNicols' subordinate duty as coast watchers for the early Norse kings in the Isles. The early MacLeod of Lewis arms pictured right was recorded in the mid 15th century and is blazoned Or
, a rock azure
in flames gules
.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
14th century) was a Hebridean lord and is today considered to be the founder of the MacLeods of Lewis
Clan MacLeod of Lewis
Clan Macleod of The Lewes, commonly known as Clan MacLeod of Lewis, is a Highland Scottish clan, which at its height held extensive lands in the Western Isles and west coast of Scotland. From the 14th century up until the beginning of the 17th century there were two branches of Macleods: the...
, who are known in Gaelic as Sìol Torcaill ("seed of Torcall"). He was the son of Murdoch MacLeod, and a great-grandson of Leod
Leod
Leod is considered the eponymous ancestor and founder of Clan MacLeod and Clan MacLeod of Lewis. Almost nothing is known about him and he does not appear in any contemporary records. Tradition dating to the late 18th century made him a son of Olaf the Black who was King of Man...
, eponymous ancestor of the MacLeods.
Background
According to MacLeod tradition, Torquil was a son of LeodLeod
Leod is considered the eponymous ancestor and founder of Clan MacLeod and Clan MacLeod of Lewis. Almost nothing is known about him and he does not appear in any contemporary records. Tradition dating to the late 18th century made him a son of Olaf the Black who was King of Man...
, founder of Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
. Clan traditions made Torquil the brother of Tormod
Tormod MacLeod
Tormod MacLeod, sometimes referred to as Norman MacLeod, was a west Highland lord, and son of Leod, the traditional founder and eponymous ancestor of Clan MacLeod. Little is known about Tormod; like his father Leod, he does not appear in any contemporary records...
, and stated that the two brothers founded the main branches of the clan— one branch being: Sìol Tormoid ("seed of Tormod"), the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; the other branch being: Sìol Torcaill ("see of Torcall"), the MacLeods of Lewis. This traditional story is no longer taken seriously by historians, and Torquil is now considered to have been the son of Murdoch, who was a grandson of Leod.
The late 20th century historian William Matheson stated that the name Torquil
Torquil
Torquil is an Anglicised form of the Norwegian and Swedish masculine name Torkel, and the Scottish Gaelic name Torcall. The Scottish Gaelic name Torcall is Gaelicised form of the Old Norse name Þorketill. The Scandinavian Torkel is a contracted form of the Old Norse Þorketill...
was not a common one. Matheson noted that it occurs in the old genealogies of the MacNicols. Traditions linked the MacNicols with Lewis, as well as Assynt across the Minch; before being supplanted by the MacLeods who married a MacNicol heiress
Beneficiary
A beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. For example: The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is the person who receives the payment of the amount of insurance after the death of the insured...
. Matheson stated that the name was not used by the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan; that the first MacLeod too bear the name was Torquil, son of Murdoch. In consequence, Matheson proposed that it must have been Torquil's father who married a MacNicol heiress and then gave their son the MacNicol name of Torquil. Matheson noted that a 19th century Lewis senachie recalled a tradition that "the year after Torquil became chief of the Lews, he and the MacNaughtons [MacNicols] were proceeding in their birlins
Birlinn
The birlinn was a type of boat used especially in the Hebrides and West Highlands of Scotland in the Middle Ages. The Birlinn is a Norse-Gaelic variant on the Norse longship. Variants of the name in English and Lowland Scots include "berlin" and "birling". It probably derives ultimately from the...
, or large boats, to Stornoway
Stornoway
Stornoway is a burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.The town's population is around 9,000, making it the largest settlement in the Western Isles and the third largest town in the Scottish Highlands after Inverness and Fort William...
, when MacLeod ran the boat of MacNaughton [MacNicol] down in the Sound of Jaunt
Life
Torquil and his uncle, Malcolm, are the first MacLeods chiefs to appear in contemporary records. Their names are recorded as "Torkyll M'Cloyd", and "Malcolme, son to Tormode M'Cloyde", in a royal charterRoyal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
during the reign of David II
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
(r. 1329–1371). The eminent 19th century Scottish scholar W.F. Skene noted that Torquil was not designated "of Lewis" in the charter, nor any other designation. Another 19th century historian, Donald Gregory
Donald Gregory
Donald Gregory was a Scottish historian and antiquarian, who published a valuable history of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland.-Origins:...
, stated that during this era, Torquil would have held Lewis, not from the kings of Scots, but from the lords of the Isles.
According to the 19th century Lewis senachie already mentioned, Torquil was a councillor between the Macaulays
Macaulay of Lewis
The Macaulay family of Uig in Lewis, known in Scottish Gaelic as Clann mhic Amhlaigh, were a small family located around Uig on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. There is no connection between the Macaulays of Lewis and Clan MacAulay which was centred in the Loch Lomond area,...
and Morrisons—two bitter rival clans—after a battle fought by them near Barvas
Barvas
Barvas is a settlement, community and civil parish on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.It developed around a road junction. North is the road to Ness; west takes the traveller to Carloway and the West Side; south runs the road to Stornoway...
.
Family
Torquil is said to have married Margaret, a MacNicol heiress of Assynt. Torquil was succeeded by his son, Roderick.Heraldry
According to W.D.H. Sellar, the coat of armsCoat of arms
A 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...
of the MacLeods of Lewis, which contains a black burning mountain on a gold field, probably passed into the possession of the MacLeods through the marriage of a MacNicol heiress. Sellar considered the possibility that the arms may represent the MacNicols' subordinate duty as coast watchers for the early Norse kings in the Isles. The early MacLeod of Lewis arms pictured right was recorded in the mid 15th century and is blazoned Or
Or (heraldry)
In heraldry, Or is the tincture of gold and, together with argent , belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". In engravings and line drawings, it may be represented using a field of evenly spaced dots...
, a rock azure
Azure
In heraldry, azure is the tincture with the colour blue, and belongs to the class of tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of horizontal lines or else marked with either az. or b. as an abbreviation....
in flames gules
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
.