Clan Kerr
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Clan Kerr is a Scottish clan that played an important role in the history of the Border country of Scotland.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Origins of the Clan
The great Clan Kerr is well remembered in Scotland as one of the most loyal but warlike Clans of the turbulent Border territories. The name is of ancient origin, stemming back to the Norse settlement of Normandy where the Kerrs were an important family. The name itself derives from the old Norse "kjrr" meaning "men from the marshes", and the name has been spelled in many forms since, including Kerr, Ker, Carr and Carre. The Kerrs arrived in Britain after William I's conquest of England in 1066, and the Clan Kerr descend from two brothers, Ralph and John Ker, who settled in Jedburgh around 1330. The Clan soon grew and prospered, building themselves a position of influence through their sheer strength and tenacity. The Clan Kerr controlled two castles on the border with England, and were quick to fend off any intrusion by the Southerners, but were not indisposed to a quick venture across the divide whenever they fancied some prime English beef for their tables. Rival Scottish border clans included Clan Heron and Clan Scott.
[edit] 15th Century
By the 15th Century the Clan Kerr were considered highly important Crown vassals, and with loyalty came rich rewards. In 1451 Andrew Kerr was granted the barony of Old Roxburgh, and by 1457 had been created the Warden of the Marches. By the close of the 15th Century, the Clan Kerr held the honours of possessing the Castle and Barony of Cessford, and the Barony of Oxnam, a considerable achievement for any Border Clan.
The Kerrs were often at feud with other Scottish boarder clans including Clan Scott and Clan Heron. They would meet for battle at a place called Bellendean. The feuding would cost the lives of both the Clan Kerr and Clan Scott Chief.
[edit] 16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars
In the 16th century during the Anglo-Scottish Wars Clan Kerr fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.
A few years before the Battle of Flodden Field three Englishmen killed Sir Robert Kerr, a former warden of the middle march, while he was attending a march across the Border, and his son tracked down one of the murderers and gave him what was known as "Jeddart justice".
The Clan Kerr's faithfulness to the Crown of Scotland continued throughout the centuries, and the Clan were always willing to take up arms for the sake of their proud nation. The Kerrs fought under their chief, Sir Andrew Kerr, at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, standing beside King James IV of Scotland in his conflict with the English armies.
[edit] Clan Conflicts
After the Battle of Flodden Field some of the Leddesdale clans put themselves under the Kerr of Ferniehurst's protection, but in 1523 his castle was taken by the English after a bold defence. The Chief Kerr of Cessford, who had worked as warden for peace and co-operation with England, was killed by a follower of Clan Scott of Buccleuch in the attempt to rescue King James V of Scotland from the Clan Douglas.
Thirteen years after the Battle of Flodden Field, Sir Andrew laid down his life in defence of the infant King James V of Scotland when the royal procession was attacked on the way to Edinburgh Castle. With such sacrifice came great rewards for the Clan Kerr.
The feud between the Clan Scott and Clan Kerr continued and in 1552 the Chief of Clan Scott of Buccleuch was killed by the Kerrs of Cessford in Edinburgh. Fighting between the two clans continued until a peace agreement was signed in 1602.
Honours continued to be heaped upon the Clan down through the years, with the titles bestowed on the Kerrs including the Barony of Newbattle, the Earldom of Lothian, the Lordship of Jedburgh, the Earldom of Ancram, and the Dukedom of Roxburghe.
[edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings
During the Jacobite Uprisings Clan Kerr supported the British government. At the Battle of Culloden in 1746 Lord Robert Kerr who was captain of the grenadiers in Barrel's regiment, received the first charging Cameron on the point of his Spontoon, but then a second cut him through the head to chin.
The Earls of Lothian were advanced to the rank of Marquess at the beginning of the 18th Century. The 12th Marquess of Lothian resides at Ferniehurst Castle, although the principal seat of Clan Kerr is considered to be the fabulous mansion of Monteviot. Other great monuments to the Kerr's success are the splendid Floors Castle, and Newbattle Abbey, near Edinburgh.
Family Creed: Late but in Earnest
[edit] Ferniehirst Castle
Ferniehirst Castle (sometimes spelt Ferniehurst) was built around 1470. It has been occupied in this century as a Youth Hostel for fifty years. It was built to hold the gate for Scotland and to serve as a base for military raids and cattle-lifting forays. It commands the road to Otterburn and Newcastle.
[edit] Left-Handed Kerrs
The Kerrs have typically been associated with left-handedness; some of their buildings, such as Ferniehurst Castle, have been explicitly designed with this in mind[1]. Although there may have been a historical link between the Kerrs and left-handedness, there is no evidence that present-day individuals with a surname of Kerr have a higher incidence of left-handedness than the general population.
[edit] Origins of the Name
Disputed, either:
- Kerr (Gaelic for Strength)
- Caer (British for "fort")
- Ciar (Gaelic for "dusky")
- Cearr (Gaelic for "left handed" - carrie handit in Lowland Scots)
- Kjrr (Old Norse for "marsh dweller")
Asked how to say his name, Admiral Lord Mark Kerr told The Literary Digest "In Scotland the name rimes with care. Since many of the family have come to England the pronunciation in this country rimes with car, which we have entirely submitted to." (Charles Earle Funk, What's the Name, Please?, Funk & Wagnalls, 1936.)
[edit] Clan Profile
- Motto: Dexter, Sero sed serio (Late but in earnest)
- Motto: Sinister, Forward in the name of God
- Badge: A Kerr knot Or
- Plant Badge: Bog Myrtle
- Arms: Quarterly, 1st & 4th, Azure, the sun in his splendour Or (for the peerage of Lothian); 2nd & 3rd, Gules, on a chevron Argent, three mullets of the field (Kerr)
- Gaelic Names: Cearr (Surname), MacGhillechearr (Surname), Cearrach (Singular), Na Cearraich (Collective) and Clann 'icGhillechearr (Collective).
[edit] Tartans
Clan Kerr has two recognized tartans:
- Kerr (Modern)
- Kerr (Hunting)
[edit] Chief
[edit] Clan Seat
[edit] Branches
- Kerr of Cessford
- Kerr of Ferniehurst
- Kerr of Linton
- Ker of Kersland
[edit] Septs of Clan Kerr
- Carr(e)
- Carrach
- Cessford
- Kar(e)
- Ker
- Kier
- Linton
- Herriott
