The Irvings of Bonshaw, an ancient Border Reiver riding family of some repute, are historically close neighbours of Carruthers and are mentioned alongside us and 15 other Border families, in the 1587 Act of Parliament for the Suppression of Unruly Clans. Their mention was, like us, for their involvement in the tumultuous history of the Anglo-Scottish Borders. They have therefore played their part in the region’s past and are recognised, both officially and historically as a clan in their own right. Their heritage, like us, has been steeped and intertwined in the rich tapestry of Border life for at least the last 1000 years.
What is interesting, as alluded to below, is that although not the only Scottish clans sharing a name, the Irvines of Drum (Aberdeenshire) and the Irvings of Bonshaw (Annandale), are seen as ancient and distinct clans in their own rights.
Sadly, neither of them have retained their historic clan seats as both Drum Castle and Bonshaw Tower are not held by the Clan Chiefs, nor in fact any close family member. However, the Chiefly line in both cases, proudly continues.
As far as I am aware, there is no proven direct family connection between the two clans although they have similar surnames as they do not share the same ancestry. The names come from place-name origins ie topographical and from totally separate regions of Scotland. As families, their lifestyles and allegiances through the ages were different as was their history.
This piece, which I found interesting as its penned by their Chief himself, only scrapes the surface surrounding the Reiver Clan of Irving of Bonshaw, but it is not a bad wee taster.
The Irvings of Bonshaw, a Border Reiver Clan
by: Rupert Irving of Bonshaw, Chief of the Name and Arms of Irving of Bonshaw
The Irvings of Bonshaw have a deep-rooted history, with its line of Chiefs dating back to 1506 in unbroken succession. Further research however, has indicated there are records of the family going back to the 1120s and this work continues. As a Clan, we are fortunate to have The Book Of The Irvings &c that was put together by Colonel J.B. Irving, in 1907, a remarkable achievement given this was done without computers and modern technology.
I am also led to understand that there is a Location Index for originals at Bonshaw Tower with other books located worldwide: The House of Commons Library in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and in the United States of America including the Library of Congress, Washington DC.
With that history and family connection to it, we felt it would be a good idea to have the book cross-referenced and checked for validity by professional ASGRA researchers and what we found is quite surprising. The Book itself is 98% correct with a couple of anomalies that were ironed out by the research.
The Clan Chiefs of Irving of Bonshaw
My father was encouraged to matriculate his Arms when he retired as we discovered the last person to do so was back in the 1890s, so we decided it was time to do something about it. In 2014, the Lord Lyon King of Arms formally confirmed my father as Chief of the Name and Arms of Irving of Bonshaw, a direct descendant of William Irving of Bonshaw, who was the first to be registered, along with all other Scottish chiefs, nobles and armigers, in the 1672 Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, a legal record of every coat of arms registered in the country.
(The Register, which started with the Lord Lyons Act, still comes under the jurisdiction of the Lord Lyon, to the present day ed).
This was a significant moment for us as a family as it reaffirmed what we knew about our history and role within the Clan. On my father’s passing in 2021, I felt that it is important to continue with matriculation of the Arms and this was kindly approved by Lord Lyon in March 2021.
To have this formal recognition carries with it a certain responsibility, which I believe still has relevance in today’s digitally driven environment. The role of Clan Chief evolves over time and today there is a particular focus as the guardian or keeper of each Clan’s history, its roots and above all else its unique identity.
The Irvings & Irvines in Scotland
Within the Irvings & Irvines (& Irwins etc ed), we have a situation with two Chiefs being granted Arms, formally recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon. In itself this is not unique, given other clans such as Fraser, Stewart and Macleod for example.
The Irvines of Drum, located in Aberdeenshire, are a Scottish Family, being appointed by the monarch in 1324 to the Forest of Drum with the barony created in 1326. Their present Chief is Alexander Irvine of Drum 27th Baron. The Irvings of Bonshaw, located in Dumfries & Galloway, are a Scottish Border Reiver Clan with Gaelic origins and the earliest records going back to the 1120s. The present Chief of the border clan, is Rupert Irving of Bonshaw, 20th of his line.
The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs was formed in March 1952 in Edinburgh, with the Earl of Elgin, Chief of the House of Bruce, as its founding Convener. At the annual meeting this year his grandson, Lord Charles Bruce, agreed to become the new Convener, succeeding Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor.
The council and its members not only liaise actively with their clan societies, but also with umbrella groups in the US and Canada. Back home, the council also works closely with the Scottish Government both in furthering Scottish interests around the world and in raising awareness within Scotland of the vital role played by heritage tourism in the economy.
Today, there are more than 135 members of the council, including the heads of almost all the major Clans and Families in Scotland. Both Rupert Irving of Bonshaw and Alexander Irvine of Drum are members of The Standing Council.
(The SCSC is by invitation only, therefore if a ‘Chief’ has no right to an invitation to this body, they have not a) the right to bear the Chiefly arms by the Lord Lyon b) therefore simply not legally recognised as a Scottish clan or family Chief. Both Drum and Bonshaw are ed).
Tartan Parade
This was in itself, a unique event that is being continued annually in Edinburgh. I have to say it was great fun and there were a good number of Chiefs available to march in the parade (and quite a few armigers and representatives from other clans as well ed).
I was particularly impressed with the number of people in the parade itself and of course the very strong sense of community being shown on the day. For 2026 Tartan Day, there are planned to be 2,500 participants and the Chiefs will again be taking a leading role in the parade.
(Carruthers were well represented there, with the Convenor and his family in full Carruthers tartan marching proudly ed)
Tartan
There are two Clan/Family tartans formally registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans in Edinburgh. The other Irvine and Irving tartans are formally registered as ‘Personal’ only.
There is the ‘Irvine’ tartan which is not affiliated with any particular Clan nor Family and can be worn by the diaspora of Irvines & Irvings worldwide. The ‘Irving of Bonshaw’ tartan is for the use by all those individuals and families who are affiliated with the Old Scots Border Clan of the Irvings & Irvines. Both tartans are attractive to wear, easy on the eye and both look just as excellent in formal or day wear.
So, our view is that if you like them, then why not wear either or both of these tartans at will. I personally have both kilt and trews, but I do prefer wearing the kilt, as this has become recognised worldwide as Scottish National dress.
(Regarding a Clan/Family Tartan, since the advent of the Scottish Register of Tartans, this can only be considered as such if the Clan Chief recognises it and registers it as the official tartan to that name ie Irving of Bonshaw, Irvine of Drum. A Clan/Family will therefore be available through outlets to the general public. Further, the chief will have been recognised by the Lord Lyon through their right to bear the clan or family’s chiefly arms.
Using Carruthers as an example as above, the official clan/family tartan is to the left and recognised by our Chief as such, while the personal tartan of the Shennachie is on the right and copyrighted to him. A personal tartan requires permission to be woven and is not available to the general public, nor can it be confused as aclan/family tartan ed.)
Going forward
There is growing interest in Scottish heritage and family history with contact from Clan members over the years increasing in followers in recent times. The website http://www.clanirving.com is proving to be the primary point of contact and people’s interest is highlighted when they recognise and understand their Border Reiver heritage.
If you have any questions, the best place to start is probably to drop me a note to clanchief@clanirving.com. A lot of the questions I am asked are to do with research and I help as best I can to steer people in the right direction. Speaking personally, it is genuinely a pleasure to hear from people, so please do not hesitate.
It is always fascinating to read of another family whose history entwines so strongly with our own and whose name is just as synonymous with Border Reiver heritage as Carruthers, Armstrong, Elliott, Nixon, Crozier, Scott, Beattie, Little, Thomson, Glendinning, Irving, Bell, Graham, Johnston Jardine, Moffat and Latimer etc.
To coin a phrase…..we were there and survived, and remain riding surnames that are proud and ancient.
Promptus et Fidelis
Interesting, indeed.
David Ewart Carruthers
Irvine, California