Clan identity is usually designated by four things; origin, name, history and very importantly, a Chief recognised by the Lord Lyon. But what if it isn’t that easy? What if two clans share the same name and the same origins, does this make them the same clan?
This is a question we have been asked in the past with respect to Carruthers and its derivatives – are we all different? To clarify, our family has only one origin associated with one geographical region – Annandale, one name root – Carruthers, one history and one recognised Chief who bears the Carruthers chiefly arms – Peter Carruthers of Holmains.
The deciding factor is found in the history of the Scottish clan or family, way back into the mists of time and supported by the recognition of the Lord Lyon King of Arms in the granting to an individual the right to bear the chiefly arms of that ‘name’. This is supported through this by the right of their chief to hold a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
To discuss this, there are two instances which instantly spring to mind, both showing similarities in origin and name but remain separate entities through their history and official recognition:
- Clan Fraser (of Philorth) and Clan Fraser of Lovat
- Clan Irvine/Irving of Drum and Clan Irving/Irvine of Bonshaw.
These four are highly respected and ancient Scottish Clans, who have been in our country from at least the 11th and 12th centuries, but are they the same or are they recognised as distinct in their own right.
Two sets of 2 or Four 1’s
To begin with let us look at the Frasers. As a family, the Frasers are believed to have originated from the Department of Anjou in France in the 11th century and came over with the Norman invasion. They were invited into Scotland by David 1st. The first recorded Fraser in Scotland was Simon Fraser, who held lands at Keith in East Lothian around 1160 marking the beginning of the Fraser family’s presence in Scotland. The surname “Fraser” may have derived from the French word for “strawberry” (fraises), which is reflected in clan Fraser of Philorth‘ s crest featuring strawberries.
Fraser: Two separate and distinct clans considered originating from the same root. Both branches of Clan Fraser, although distant relatives, maintain their unique identities and separate and distinct Chiefs, while celebrating their shared lineage.
CLAN FRASER (of Philorth)
Clan Fraser (of Philorth) is a Lowland clan, whose Chief is The Rt. Hon Katherine Fraser, The 22nd Lady Saltoun and retains a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Their clan Crest feature Strawberries with the motto: All my hope is in God.
This branch of the Frasers is recognised as a Lowland clan and has a history that includes significant political and social roles in the Lowlands. The Frasers first appear in Scottish History in 1160 in East Lothian and are then said to have moved into Tweedale in the 12th and 13th Centuries and then to Stirling, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Clan Fraser subsequently divided into distinct branches, the Frasers of Lovatt being the senior cadet. Their seat is Cairnbulg Castle, which since 1613 to 1934 was either under private ownership or belonged to a junior Fraser line. However, in 1934, it was bought back by the chief’s family where it sits to this day.
The Senior line is descended from Sir Alexander Fraser, who took part in the victory at Bannockburn in 1314. In 1316 he married Robert the Bruce’s widowed sister, Lady Mary, who had been imprisoned in a cage by Edward I. Sir Alexander’s seal is on the Declaration of Arbroath. They have been less involved in the Jacobite risings compared to their Highland counterparts. Lady Saltoun holds a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, whose membership is by invitation only and accepts only those Chiefs or in some cases, Commanders recognised by the Lord Lyon.
CLAN FRASER OF LOVAT
Clan Fraser of Lovat is a Highland Clan, whose Chief is The Rt Hon. Simon Fraser, 16th Lord Lovatt. He also retains a hereditary seat on the standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Their crest features a stag’s head with the motto: Je Suis Pret (I am ready)
Frasers of Lovat: Known for their Highland heritage, has a rich military history and was heavily involved in the Jacobite uprisings. They are often associated with notable figures in Scottish history, including Sir Simon Fraser, who fought for Robert the Bruce. Sir Simon was the brother of Sir Alexander, who married Lady Margaret Sinclair, daughter of the Earl of Caithness. Their original Seat of Beaufort castle is no longer in existence; however a baronial hall was built in 1880 but is no longer owned by the Frasers of Lovat.
What is interesting is that the arms and tartans of Fraser of Lovat and Fraser of Philorth are similar. This is because they both share a common ancestry, originating from the same Norman origins.
However, it is important to appreciate that although from the same origin, they are officially recognised as being individual clans, separated by geography and history while retaining distinct identities and legally accepted leadership.
Irving/Irvine: Now in part, we look closer to home with the two clans of Irving/Irvine.
Both these, i.e. Bonshaw and Drum have it seems the same origin and root and share the same derivations of surnames within their clan structure. Again, these are two separate and distinct clans, albeit it seems both off the same clan Irving/Irvine ancestral line. However, although distant relatives they, like the Frasers maintain their unique identities and separate history and as such are headed by their own confirmed Chiefs.
IRVING OF BONSHAW
Clan Irving of Bonshaw is a Border Reiver clan whose Chief is Rupert C. Irving of Bonshaw, 20th of that line. Again, he retains a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Their clan Crest features three holly leaves with the motto: Haud Ullis Labentia Ventis.
Origins: family tradition traces the chiefs to Duncan of Eskdale, brother of Crinan (ancestor of Duncan I), with documentary mentions of Irvines appearing in the 12th century, while early records reflect the existence of the Irvings of Bonshaw from the 1100s–1200s.
Their Seat, Bonshaw Tower, is no longer in the ownership of the Chiefly Line, albeit it is owned by junior member of a cadet line of Bonshaw. The Chiefs of Irving of Bonshaw hold a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
It is recorded that Bonshaw sheltered Robert the Bruce during the War of Scottish Independence and were prominent Reivers during the local border conflicts and feuds. They are known to have fought at the Battle of Solway Moss and sided with the Johnstons against the Maxwells at Dryffe Sands. Because of their history, they remain a highly respected and historic riding family in the Scottish Borders. (NB there is a strong possibility, although no real evidence exists, that Carruthers as great supporters of the Maxwells, may have been on the other side during the Battle of Dryffe Sands)
IRVINE OF DRUM
Clan Irvine of Drum is a Highland clan, whose Chief is Alexander Irvine of Drum, 27th Baron of Drum who again retains a hereditary seat on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Their clan Crest features a sheaf of Holly consisting of nine leaves with the motto: Sub Sole Umbra Virens. Their Seat, Drum Castle is sadly no longer held by the family but is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Originally believed to have possibly been a sept of Clan Forbes, which is reflected in their tartan, it is said that the line of Drum comes off the second son of William de Irwyn who was then the Chief of Irving of Bonshaw at the time. His service to Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence was pivotal and as a reward Robert the Bruce granted William the royal forest of Drum in Aberdeenshire around 1323. This land became a free barony in 1329 and the seat of the Irvine of Drum lineage. They are a proud and historically relevant Highland clan having been there and played their part.
It seems that this historical relationship illustrates how both Drum and Bonshaw emerged from the same root and akin to the Frasers, although they maintain a shared heritage, have developed their own distinct and independent identity as clans over the centuries and are therefore both recognised as such.
Again, mirroring the Frasers, the arms and tartans of both Bonshaw and Drum are very similar. This is due it seems, in celebration of a common ancestry. However, they are officially recognised as being separate clans, parted by geography and history but with their own legally accepted leadership. All Scottish arms, although they may have existed before that, date back to 1672 and the Lord Lyons Act with the introduction of the Register of All Arms and Bearings of Scotland, which is still retained by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
It is therefore a fact that a clan, through its own geography and heritage, is further defined by it own personal history and recognised Chief.
Here we have two highland clans – Lovat and Drum, one lowland clan – Fraser (of Philorth) and one border clan – Bonshaw. In all four cases these clans have played an important role, not only in Scottish history in general but specifically in the geographical area in which they lived. As such, irrelevant of the shared name, they are rightly accepted as being individual entities in their own right, with their own clan identity i.e. Chief’s arms, motto, clan badge and clan tartan.
It is appreciated that in some of the larger clans such as Donald and Leod, one could argue historic superiority over the other chiefs by a High Chief, but this does not seem to translate into either the Frasers nor the Irvings/Irvines, although research shows that principal lines in both and conjoined in the past, do exist.
Regarding the appreciation of the facts relating to belonging by clansmen and women, genealogy and good research will always bring the inquisitive and well-informed knocking on the right door, as time, tenacity, pride in their personal heritage and evidence is always on their side and remains the point of the exercise of ant ancestral research.
NB: It is through the auspices of the Lord Lyon, the Monarch’s representative in such matters here in Scotland, that a Chief is recognised by being granted the right to bear the chiefly arms. This is only after the full analysis of documented proofs of lineage. It is therefore through the recognition of a chief that the clan/family, now no longer armigerous, becomes recognised as a ‘noble incorporation’ in Scots law. The chief therefore, has been aptly described by some senior members of Scottish clan society as being the hub of a cartwheel and the clan, the spokes and rim i.e. the chief of the clan/family is therefore recognised as the ‘first amongst equals’.
Promptus et fidelis
Non Sto Solus
