Clan Murray

Clan Murray is a Highland Scottish clan. The Murrays were a great and powerful clan whose lands and cadet houses were scattered throughout Scotland.

Datei:MurrayCrest.gif

Clan Murray Crest.

History

Origins of the Clan

Famed for their patriotism from earliest times they boasted a royal origin. They are descended from the Flemish nobleman Freskin de Moravia (also progenitor of Clan Sutherland). Flemish lords crossed the North Sea and established themselves in the Scottish realm. He and his son were granted extensive lands in Moray and intermarried with the old line of Celtic Mormaers from Moray. The descendants of his grandson William de Moravias' descendents became Lords of Bothwell but changed their name to Moray(from the great province of Moray, once a local kingdom) by the end of the 13th century. From him descend the principal houses of Murray; Tullibardine, Atholl, Abercairney and Polmaise.

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Murray led by Chief Sir Andrew Murray fought in the first uprising against the English conquerors in 1297. Chief Andrew Murray was mortally wounded while leading the clan at the famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297. His son, Sir Andrew Murray, 4th Lord of Bothwell, third Regent of Scotland, married Christian Bruce, a sister of King Robert the Bruce.

In March 1337 a Scots army under Sir Andrew Murray recaptured the Clan Murray's Bothwell Castle which had been taken by the English.

Clan Wars

1403/06 - The Battle of Tuiteam-Tarbhach 1406. This battle was fought as Tuiteam-tarbhach in the south west part of Sutherland where it meets Ross-shire. Angus MacKay of Strathnaver married the sister of MacLeod of Lewis by whom he had two sons; Angus Dow MacKay and Rory Gald MacKay. When angus died he left the governing of his estate to his brother Uistean Dow Mackay. MacLeod of Lewis decided to visit his sister where he found that she was not well. As he is not happy about this, on his way home he decides to spoil Strathnaver & Brae-Chat in Sutherland. Robert Earl of Sutherland sends Alexander Murray and Uistean Dow MacKay to attack the MacLeods. the fight was long and furious. In the end the booty was recovered and nearly all the MacLeod's were killed including the chief MacLeod of Lewis.

The Battle of Skibdo and Strathfleet around 1480; MacDonald of the Isles, accompanied by about five or six hundred of his clan came into Sutherland and encamped hard by the Castle of Skibo, whereupon Neil Murray (son or grandson to Angus Murray, slain at Druimnacoub) was sent by John, Earl of Sutherland, to resist them, in case they did harm the inhabitants. Neil Murray believing that the MacDonalds would go about spoiling the country attacked the MacDonalds by Skibo, and killed one of their chieftains, called Donald Dow MacDonald along with fifty others. Macdonald, with the rest of his company, escaped back into their own country. Shortly thereafter another company of Macdonald's came to Strathfleet in Sutherland, and spoiled that part of the country, in revenge for the death of their chieften. However Robert Sutherland (John, Earl of Sutherland's brother), assembled an army and attacked them upon the sands of Strathfleet. After a sharp and cruel skirmish, Macdonald's men were defeated.

Battle of Knockmary 1490; This battle was between the two long feuding clans of Murray and Clan Drummond. the Murrays were first successful, however the Drummonds were later reinforced and drove the Murrays off the battlefield. Many of the Murrays took refuge in a small church near Crief. Legend has it that at first the Drummond pursuers could not find them but an all to eager Murray clansmen, seeing his chance fired an arrow and killed a Drumond. The Drummonds then heaped combustibles around the church and burnt it to the ground with all those inside. Eight score Murrays were included in the holocaust, only one of those within the kirk escaping by the compassion of a Drummond clansman outside, who was his relation.

1542 - Clan MacKay Chief Donald Mackay of Strathnaver decided to invade and molest the lands of Clan Sutherland. He burned the village of Knockartoll and stole many goods from Strathbrora. The Clan Sutherland and Clan Murray led by Hutcheon Murray of Abirscors with Gilbert Gordon of Garty decided to attack the MacKays. They attacked the MacKays at a place called Ailtan-Beath. After the battle the MacKays fled and much of the stolen booty was recovered. Donald MacKay was captured and imprisoned in Foulis Castle, Ross-shire by commandment of the Queen Regent.

The Battle of Tippermuir 1644, During the Civil War at the Battle of Tippermuir James Murray who held command in the Scottish Convanters Army was defeated by James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose.

The French War & The Jacobite Uprisings

Clan Murray fought for the British at the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709 against the French in France.

Clan Murray fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel 1719, this time against the British and in support of the Scottish Jacobite rebels. The Chief William escaped to France only to return with Prince Charles Edward Stuart for the Jacobite rebellion in 1745.

Lord George Murray, was the Jacobite general responsible for the Jacobite's initial successes during the early part of the 1745-1746 rebellion. Chief William Murray even landed with Jacobite leader Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745 at Borodale 25th July. He was the main commander at the Battles of Prestonpans, Falkirk (1746) and the Battle of Culloden. After the Battle of Culloden in 1746 the Chief tried to escape however as he was suffering from bad health and fatigue he surrendered on the 27th April 1746 to Mr Buchannan of Drummakilll. He was then taken to the Tower of London where he died on July 9th 1746.

Castle and Clan Seat

The ruined inner hall of Bothwell Castle

The Murray's clan seat was at Bothwell Castle. It was taken by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence. However in March 1337 a Scots army under Sir Andrew Murray recaptured the Clan Murray's castle. It remained with the Murrays until it was lost to the powerful Clan Douglas. It wasn't until the 1600's that the Murrays got the castle back again.

Meaning of the Clan Murray name

Murry — "sailor" or "man of the sea"; from a clan name. MacMurray, Moray, Murry, Morogh.

Clan Crest badges:

The Clan crest is a mermaid holding a mirror in one hand and a comb in the other, with the motto "Tout pret". Old French for "Quite ready".

The demi-savage holding a sword and a key (motto - Furth, Fortune, and Fill the Fetters, meaning roughly go forth against your enemies, have good fortune, and return with hostages and booty). The demi-savage was favored by the late Duke, and we use that badge because the Duke was our chief but the older one and the one that is found in most books is the mermaid.

Clan Septs

Family names associated with the Murray Clan: Balneaves, Dinsmore, Dunsmore, Fleming, Moray, Murrie, Neaves, Piper, Pyper, Smail, Smale, Small, Smeal, and Spalding (this list is shorter, but is in line with the list used by the home society in Scotland). The Clan Septs and Dependents comprise those who were descended from the Chief through the female line and consequently bore a different surname; and those who sought and obtained the protection of the Clan and became dependents.

Earldoms

Various members of Clan Murray have held important seats as Earls and Dukes in Scotland throughout history. They have included amongst others the following:

Earl of Sutherland, A seperate line of Murrays by the name of "de Moravia" held the title of Earl of Sutherland from the early 13th century to the early 16th century. This title also made them Chiefs of the Clan Sutherland. The title went to a son of the Chief of Clan Gordon in the early 16th century, who in the 18th century changed their surname to Sutherland.

External links

Vorlage:Scotland-clan-stub