Clan MacFarlane
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Clan MacFarlane is a Highland Scottish clan, however there is currently no chief therefore it is regarded as an Armigerous clan.
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[edit] History
The Clan MacFarlane was located in the Scottish Highlands at the head of Loch Long and the head of Loch Lomond. For over five centuries this area, the feudal barony of Arrochar, which was held by the chief of Clan MacFarlane and before them by their ancestors the barons of Arrochar. The family is Celtic in the male line and native to their beautiful Highland homeland of tall peaks and deep lochs just above the waist of Scotland.
There is a great deal of contorversy concerning the possibility of a Saxon male line ancestry. The coming of age poem composed for Alwyn, last Mormaer, and first Earl, of Lennox in the twelfth century takes this position. He was the son of Murdac (son of Maldouen son of Murdac, son of Arkil son of Ecgfrith in Northumbria). This position is also supported by the researches of the renowned 18th Century antiquarian, Walter Macfarlane, who was, co-incidentally, the 20th Chief of the clan [1]. Other scholars, most notably William F. Skene in his "Celtic Scotland", take the opposite view, basing their position on the less than accurate works of John of Fordun [2]. Ultimately, the Saxon/non-Saxon beginnings of the Clan are of moot interest because heritance was permitted through either the male or female, even into the 20th Century.
When the first Alwin died, his children were still minors so King William awarded the Earldom to his own brother David, Earl of Huntingdon (c. 1174) [3]. By 1199, Alwyn, the second Earl of Lennox, had finally succeeded his father. He may have had as many as ten sons. Among the youngest (maybe seventh) was Gilchrist who obtained a charter to the barony of Arrochar from his eldest brother Maldouen, third Earl of Lennox (c. 1225?). Along with Clan Donnachaidh, the MacFarlanes are said to have been the earliest of the clans to hold their lands by feudal charter.
[edit] Scottish Wars of Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence Gilchrist's son, Malduin, befriended and aided Robert the Bruce during his fight for independence from the English. The MacFarlanes are reported to have fought at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The clan takes its name from Malduin's son Parlan. The name, Parlan, has been linked to Partholon, "Spirit of the Sea Waves", in Irish myths and legend. More usually, it is considered the Gaelic equivalent of Bartholomew. Gaelic grammar requires changes within a word to indicate possession. A "P" is softened to a "Ph", and an "i" is added to the last syllable. In this way, "son of Parlan" becomes Mac (son)Pharlain (of Parlan).
Iain MacPharlain received a royal confirmation to Arrochar in 1420.
Duncan, the last Celtic Earl of Lennox was executed by James I. Although the MacFarlanes had a valid claim to the earldom, the title was given by the Crown to John Stewart, Lord Darnley. The MacFarlanes sought to oppose the Stewarts, but they proved too powerful and Andrew MacFarlane the 10th Chief, married a younger daughter of Lord Darnley, forging a new alliance. Thereafter the MacFarlanes followed the new earls of Lennox in most of the major conflicts of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
[edit] Anglo-Scottish Wars
The MacFarlanes later opposed the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where Duncan the 13th Chief and his uncle were killed along with many others.
After the murder of Henry Darnley, Mary Queen of Scots' second husband, the MacFarlanes opposed the Queen and were noted for their gallantry at the Battle of Langside in 1568. Andrew, 14th Chief, is said to have captured no less than 3 of Mary's standards. The valour of Andrew and his men was rewarded by the Regent, James, Earl of Moray, with the Clan's original crest and motto. The crest and motto alludes to the defense of the Crown and Kingdom. Since Mary had abdicated previously in favour of her infant son, she was in rebellion against the Crown, Moray, and James VI during these times. For much of their history, the MacFarlanes were a very turbulent lot. Their rallying cry, "Loch Sloy", signalled many a night raid to "collect" cattle from their richer neighbors to the south and east. Their march-piobaireachd "Thogail nam Bo theid sinn" (To Lift the Cows We Shall Go) gives ample notice of intent. They were so competent that the full moon was known as "Macfarlane's Lantern".
In 1592, the clan was accused of slaying the Clan Colquhoun of Luss and were outlawed. Later chiefs were quieter. They established homes on the islands of Inveruglas and Eilean a' Bhuth (now called Island I Vow). This last was burned out twice during the Cromwellian invasions in the 17th century.
Walter, the 20th Chief, (mid-18th Cent.) was a renowned scholar and antiquarian. At the site of his home now stands the Landmark Cobbler Hotel which contains an inscribed stone taken from the original house over the main doorway.
The clan lands at Arrochar were sold off for debt after Walter's death in 1767, and the direct male line of the chiefs failed in 1886. Walter MacFarlane of that Ilk and Arrochar, LL.D.
[1] plate 4 recto of "Notes on Genealogy" by Walter Macfarlane, MS 545 N/R 5969 in the National Library of Scotland
[2] Skene, William F., Celtic Scotland: A History of Ancient Alban, 2nd ed. 1890, vol iii, p. 69
[3] Jordan Fantosme's Chronicle, as quoted by D.D.R. Owen in "William the Lion: Kingship and Culture 1143 - 1214" 1997 ISBN 1-86232-005-5
[edit] Clan Chief
At present, the Clan Chiefship is dormant, rendering it an Armigerous clan.
[edit] Plant Badge
Plant Badge: European Cranberry
[edit] Slogan & Motto
- Slogan: Loch Sloy (Loch Sloidh-The Loch of the Host)
- Motto: This I'll Defend
[edit] Homeland
The Macfarlane homeland is located in the Highlands at the heads of Loch Long and Loch Lomond.
[edit] Clan Crest
Crest: A demi-savage brandishing in his dexter a broad sword Proper and pointing with his sinister to an Imperial Crown or standing by him on the wreath. Arms of the Chief: Argent, a saltire engrailed between four roses Gules Supporters: (on a wavy compartment) Two Highlanders armed with bows and arrows, all proper.
[edit] Clan Septs
Septs of Clan MacFarlane include:
Allan, Allanson, Bartholomew, Caw, Galbraith, Galloway, Griesck, Gruamach, Kinnieson, Lennox, MacAindra, MacAllan, MacCaa, MacCause, MacCaw, MacCondy, MacEoin, MacGaw, MacGeoch, Macgreusich, Macinstalker, MacIock, MacJames, Mackinlay, MacNair, MacNeur, MacNider, MacNiter, MacRob, MacRobb, MacWalter, MacWilliam, Miller, Monach, Parlane, Robb, Stalker, Thomason, Weaver, Webster, Weir.
[edit] Spelling Variation
There are at least twelve spelling variations of the Clan's name. The most widely used is 'MacFarlane' (note the capital "F") and the second common variation being 'Macfarlane' (note lower case "f") Others that are frequently found are: MacFarland, MacFarlaine and MacPharlane.
[edit] See also
Knox
