Clan Hay
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Clan Hay is a Scottish clan, associated with the regions of Perth and Aberdeen, which has played an important part in the history and politics of Scotland.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Origin of the Name
La Haye (La Hague), Normandy, France (toponym).
[edit] Origins of the Clan
The Clan Hay descends from the Norman family of de la Haye. The First Hay to arrive in Scotland was William de lay Haye, who befriended King Malcolm IV and was made the 1st Baron of Erroll in 1178. Over the centuries, Hay influence in Scotland increased.
[edit] Wars of Scottish Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Sir Gilbert Hay, the 5th Lord Erroll, was an ally of Robert the Bruce and he and the Clan Hay participated in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. For his service, he was made the Lord High Constable of Scotland, a title the Clan Hay continues to hold to this day, which gives them ceremonial precendece in Scotland ahead of anyone aside from the royal family.
The Chieftain of the Clan Hay, known as the MacGaraidh Mor, was traditionally the Commander of the Royal Bodyguard, and this fact caused numerous Hay chieftains to die in battle while protecting their king. The 6th Earl of Erroll was killed leading the Clan Hay at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346.
[edit] 16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars
During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Hay suffered very heavy casualties in the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Another Hay, also named Sir Gilbert, was a Scottish knight who fought for Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War.
Following the Reformation, the Hays remained loyal to Catholicism and thus were allies to Mary, Queen of Scots, who appointed George Hay, the 7th Earl of Erroll, Lord Lieutenant of all central Scotland. Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll, was involved in a conspiracy with King Philip II of Spain, to overthrow Queen Elizabeth of England, convert King James VI to Catholicism and thus make Britain a Catholic stronghold. With the defeat of the Spanish Armada, however, the conspiracy came to nothing.
[edit] 17th Century & Civil War
During the Civil War James Hay led his forces as Royalists against the Covenanters at the Battle of Aberdeen in 1644 where they were victorious.
[edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings
Following the Act of Union in 1707, the Hays were sympathetic to the Jacobite cause. The ruins of their fortress of Slains Castle, on the northeast coast of Scotland, was a frequent meeting place for Jacobite conspirators. In 1745, the Clan Hay supported Bonnie Prince Charlie and assisted in financing his rebellion.
With the collapse of Jacobotism, the Hays became loyal British subjects, and many Hays were involved in expanding the British Empire.
[edit] Clan Profile
- Gaelic Names: MacGaraidh (Surname) & Clann 'icGaraidh (Collective).
- Motto: Serva Jugum (Keep the yoke).
- Slogan: "A Hay! A Hay!".
- Pipe Music: "Delgaty Castle".
- Crest: Issuing out of a Crest Coronet, a falcon volant Proper, armed, jessed, and belled Or.
- Plant Badge: Mistletoe.
- Animal Symbol: Falcon.
- Arms: Argent, three escutcheons Gules
[edit] Clan Chief
[edit] Castles
- Delgatie Castle, Aberdeen, Scotland was given to the Clan Hay after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
- Slains Castle was owned by the chiefs of Clan Hay from 1597 to 1916. [1]
- Dupplin Castle, Perth, Scotland
- Inshoch Castle, Inverness, Scotland
- Meggich Castle, Perth, Scotland
- Neidpath Castle, Peebles, Scotland
- Park Castle, Galloway, Scotland
- Yester Castle, East Lothian, Scotland
- Castle Park, Scotland.
[edit] Clan Septs & Tartans
Clan Hay has several recognized tartans:
The septs of Clan Hay include:
- Alderston
- Arroll
- Ay(e)
- Beagrie
- Constable
- Delgatie
- Erroll
- Garra(d)
- Garrow
- Gifford
- Haye(s)
- Hays(on)
- Heye(s)
- Kinnoull
- Leask(e)
- Leith
- MacGaradh
- MacGarra
- MacGarrow
- MacHay
- McArra
- Peebles
- Slains
- Yester
[edit] Clan Branches
- Hay of Alderston
- Hay of Delgatie
- Hay of Duns
- Hay of Haystoun
- Hay of Tweeddale
