(Clan Names)
The name means "foreign briton," which suggests that the original Galbraiths may have migrated from the british kingdom of Strathclyde to a Celtic region. The name first appears in records which date from the 13th century, when Gillescop Galbrath was cited as a relative of the Earl of Lennox. In modern times, the most famous bearer of the clan's name is the noted Canadian economist J.K. Galbraith.
The clan takes its name from its ancestral estates in Berwickshire. These, in turn, were derived from gor-dun, which means "hill-fort." The family appears to have crossed from Normandy to britain at the time of the Conquest, although the earliest documentary evidence dates only from the mid 12th century, when the name of Richard de Gordun appears in several charters. The fortunes of the family rose in the early 14th century, when Sir Adam de Gordun became Robert I's principal envoy. Their influence increased still further in the following centuries, as the chiefs earned the titles of Earl of Huntly (1449) and Duke of Gordon (1684), although it is their popular nickname - "Cock of the North" - which provides the most telling indication of their power.
The family probably has Anglo Norman roots, although some elements within the clan claim an ancient Caledonian warrior as their ancestor. According to this tradition, a chieftain called Gramus led an army of resistance against the Roman invaders, giving his name to a section of the Antonine Wall ("Graeme's Dyke"). In historical terms, the more likely source is an English manor called Graegham ("grey home"), which was listed in the Domesday Book. The owner of this property was a Norman baron, who belonged to David I's retinue in England and travelled north with him, following his accession to the Scottish throne in 1124.
The Grahams consolidated their position in their new homeland by marrying into the Celts Strathearn family. This brought them the lands in Auchterarder, which were to become their principal estate. From an early point in their history, the clan distinguished themselves on the battlefield, gaining the nickname of the "Gallant Grahams." Sir Patrick Graham carried the royal banner during the war of independence, while Sir John de Graham was one of Wallace's closest companions, perishing valiantly at the Battle of Falkirk (1298). The chiefs were raised to the peerage in 1451, becoming Earls of Montrose in 1504. The 1st Earl fell at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
It was in the 17th century, however, that the Grahams produced their most celebrated fighters. James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose (1612 - 1650) was one of Charles I's most able generals during the Civil War, keeping the Royalist cause alive in the Highlands. His attempts to secure the throne for Charles II were less successful and he was executed in 1650, following a disastrous defeat at Carbisdale. John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (1648 - 1689) maintained the family tradition in his religious campaigns against the Covenanters. His greatest victory was at Killiecrankie (1689), although it also cost him his life.
The most colourful legends surrounding the Graham clan relate to John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (1648 - 1689). He was educated at The University of St Andrews and trained as a soldier in the Low Countries, where he served under William of Orange (the future William III). In 1677 he returned to Scotland, where he was promoted to Captain and instructed to snuff out the growing threat of the Conventicles. These were assemblies of religious dissenters, which had been outlawed by the Conventicle Act of 1664. In the 1680s, he carried out similar duties against the Covenanters (bands of militant religious reformers).
Graham's skill as a soldier was matched by his ruthless determination. His enemies soon began to call him "Bloody Clavers," while some attributed his success to supernatural powers. Indeed, some propagandists for the Covenanters declared that he was a warlock, immune to any human weapon, apart from a silver bullet. This fearsome reputation, however did nothing to damage Graham's career prospects. By 1688, he had risen to second in command of the Scottish army. As such, he led the resistance to William III's accession to the throne, even after his master, James VII, had fled to the Continent. Graham's management of the Jacobite campaign was brief but glorious, ending with a notable victory at Killiecrankie (1689). On the eve of battle, however, "Bonnie Dundee" is said to have witnessed a vision of a bloodstained Covenanter, walking ominously towards him. He took this as a signal of impending doom and indeed, on the following day, he was killed in the heat of battle. The immediate conflict was won but, without Graham's leadership, the Jacobite challenge in the north soon withered away. Even so, Killiecrankie did produce one further legend, for the site of the battlefield includes a wide chasm known as "the Soldiers Leap." This takes its name from Donald MacBean, a government sentry who was said to have executed the prodigious jump, as he fled in terror from Graham's forces.
Among some members of this clan a tradition lives on that they are distant descendants of Kenneth MacAlpin, the first Scottish king (843 - 859). Their name , however, suggests a Norman origin, as it comes from the French word for "great" (grand). The family acquired land at Stratherrick in the mid 13th century and, in 1263, Laurence le Grand was cited as the Sheriff of Inverness. New territories were added during the reign of Robert the bruce and, in 1493, the Grants inherited the Barony of Freuchie. Two centuries later, this was upgraded to a Regality - an unusual honour, which enabled the chiefs to rule like monarchs on their own land. Indeed, Ludovick Grant, 8th Laird of Freuchie, was popularly known as "the Highland king."
The name may derive from Guthrum, a Viking chieftain, or from Gothra, a forename. The lands of Gutherin are first mentioned in 1178, when they were presented to Arbroath Abbey, though they were purchased soon afterwards by a royal falconer named Guthrie.
The clan takes its name from Hambleton, a township in northern England. In 1294, Walter Fitz Gilbert of Hameldone was mentioned in a document about fishing rights. At this stage, Walter held lands in Renfrewshire, but his subsequent support for Robert the bruce won him further estates in Lanarkshire. These included Cadzow, which has since been renamed as the town of Hamilton. The family's rise to prominence began in earnest in 1474, when James, 1st Lord Hamilton, married James III's sister. After this, they maintained close relations with the Crown, for which they were honoured with a succession of titles. In particular, they were created Earls of Arran (1503), Earls of Abercorn (1603), and Dukes of Hamilton (1643).
Meaning "Henry's Son," this popular name was current in many parts of Scotland, though the main branches of the clan can be found in Glencoe, Caithness and Fordell. The Hendersons of Glencoe cited Eanruig Mor (Gaelic for "Great Henry") as their ancestor. This shadowy figure was the son of Nechtan, a Pictish king. In Caithness,meanwhile, the Hendersons claimed descent from a son of George Gunn, a 15th century chieftain who ruled with "barbaric pomp" at Clyth. The most distinguished of all the Hendersons, however, came from the Fordell branch. This was Alexander Henderson of Leuchars (1583 - 1646), who helped to draft two important religious treaties, the National Covenant (1638) and the Solemn League and Covenant (1643).
The Hunters originated from France where, according to tradition, they were official huntsmen to the Dukes of Normandy. They arrived in Scotland during the reign of David I (1124 - 1153), and were granted the lands of Hunter's Toune (now Hunterston) in Ayrshire. The other main branches of the family were the Hunters of Kirkland and Polmood.