Clan Logan
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Clan Logan is a Lowland and Highland Scottish clan.
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[edit] History
The location of the Logan homeland is unknown. There is a great deal of evidence for both a Highland and Lowland home for our clan. DNA research into Logan lines which claim a Highland origin have a remarkable similarity to the few clans which claim descent from the Scotti, the founders of the first Scottish Kingdom of Dal Riada around 450 CE. It is from this evidence that we can see a very ancient Celtic blood line, at least for the Highland Logans. The Lowland Logans have for some time been given a Norman, rather than Gaelic origin, but this has yet to be proven beyond doubt.
James Logan in calibration with R.R. McIan, in the book "The Clans of The Scottish Highlands" (ISBN 0 907486 38 X), published in 1848 did a very detailed study of the origins for clan Logan. Some of his work has been discredited over the years, but no one has yet to do a more detailed study the clan and it's history. The following is his text.
It is accounted most honourable to be distinguished by a local appellation, as it is an indication that the property from which it is derived was in possession of the founder of the tribe or family. Logan and lagan signify a low lying, or flat tract of country, and these terms occur in various parts of Scotland; in some cases giving name to a parish, as Logan in Ayr, and Laggan in Inverness-shire.
When an individual receives a crown charter, it is evident that he must have been a person of some consideration - it is not to be supposed that he was the first who bore the appropriate name, although in this manner, the erudite Chalmers, in his elaborate "Caledonia", derives the most distinguished families in Scotland!
Guillim, the celebrated writer on English heraldry, gives this account of the origin of the name: a certain John Logan, serving with the English forces in Ireland, whom the historian Barbour calls one of the lords of that country having, upon the defeat of the army which had invaded the island under the command of Edward Bruce in 1316, taken prisoner Sir Allan Stewart, that nobleman gave his daughter, with several lands, to his conqueror's son, and from this union, our genealogist says, came the Logans of Scotland, who were then represented by those of Idbury in Oxford-shire! Unfortunately for the accuracy of this derivation, we find various individuals of the name in Scotland, witnessing royal grants, and giving charters themselves, one hundred and fifty years before this period. In the former capacity, Robertus de Logan appears frequently in the time of William the Lyon, who reigned from 1165, to 1214. As a Gaëlic cognomen, Logan was found equally in Ireland, and many notices of persons so called, particularly in the northern province, are found in the Irish records, and there seems good reason to believe that these were emigrants from Scotland.
The signatures of Walter, Andrew, Thurbrand, John, and Phillip de Logan, are found among those attached to the celebrated "Ragman's Roll", a bond of fealty exacted by Edward I. of England, in 1296. The Scottish chiefs, whom that crafty monarch suspected of being too much imbued with the principles of liberty to be safely trusted at home, he compelled to serve during his wars in Guienne, and John Cumin, Lord of Badenach, and Allan Logan, a knight, "manu et cousilio promptum", were thus disposed of.
In 1306, Dominus Walterus Logan, with many others, having been taken prisoner, was hanged at Durham, in presence of Edward of Carnarvon, the King's son.
In 1329, a remarkable occurrence took place in Scottish history. Robert the Bruce, had made a vow of pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem; but the continued wars, and unsettled state of the kingdom, rendered it impossible for him to carry his long cherished intention into effect, and on finding death approach, he willed, that the heart, which had so long panted to view the scene of his Saviour's sufferings, should be taken there, and deposited in the church of the holy sepulchre. For this purpose, preparations were made on a scale very magnificent for the age, and a choice band of the most chivalrous Scottish nobility were selected as a becoming escort for the princely relic. To "the good Sir James Douglas" was assigned the command, and Sir Robert and Walter Logan, are particularly noticed, as being among the most distinguished of his companions in the pious embassy, which was unhaply fated to abortion. Passing by Spain, the gallant Scotsmen learned that the Saracens had devastated that country, and were then employed in the siege of Grenada, when it was at once resolved, that as the Moors were bitter enemies of the Cross, the duty of the expedition was to land and fight against them. In the heat of the attack that speedily followed the debarkation, Douglas, taking from his breast the silver casket which contained the precious charge, threw it into the thickest rank of the foe, exclaiming, "there, go thou valiant heart as thou were wont to lead us", when the heroic troop dashed after it with a fury irresistible. The casket was regained, but in attempting the rescue of their friend Lord Sinclair, both Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan were slain.
In 1364-5, Henry Logan obtains a salvus conductuctus to pass through England to Flanders and return, with six companions on horseback, and others of the name obtained similar passports for different purposes in subsequent years.
The Logans of Lastalrig, were chiefs of the name in the south of Scotland, and this property, with other lands near Berwick, they held prior to the thirteenth century. In the time of Malcolm IV., who reiged from 1153, to 1165, "Edwardus de Lastalrig", gave to God, Saint Mary, and Saint Ebbe, and to Herbert, and the monks of Coldinghame, two toftd of land in Eiemouth, and one in Leith, "reddendo annuatim pro recognitione, tres terses de Lano serico", to be paid at the feast of Pentecost, wherever it might be demanded. By another deed, he grants to the convent of the blessed Mary, Newbottle, a considerable piece of ground at Leith, and the monks of North Berwick were treated with equal generosity, by his son and successor, Thomas. Coll. in Mus. Advoc. Edinb.
The preceptory of Saint Anthony, the picturesque ruins of which are to be seen on a small level in the precipitous ascent of Arthur's seat, beside Edinburgh, was founded in 1430, by Sir Robert logan of Lastalrig, and it was the only establishment of this order in Scotland. The collegiate church of Lastalrig, a fine Gothic structure, now restored and made the parish kirk of South Leith, is mentioned as early as 1170. If it was not founded by the Logans, whose castle was closely adjoining, they were great benefactors thereto, and were patrons of the valuable living.
The lairds of Lastalrig, which has been generally spelt Restalrig, although always pronounced Lasterrick, were barons of considerable note, most of them having received knighthood for national services. Some of them, also, were sheriffs of the county, and others held the dignity of Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Sir Robert Logan of Lastalrig, married a daughter of King Robert II., by his wife Euphemia Ross; and a successor of the same name, was one of the hostages given for the ransom of James I.
Leith is the flourishing sea-port of the Scottish metropolis; the land on which it is built, and the harbour itselff, belonged to the Lairds of Lastalrig, and in 1398, Sir Robert Logan granted a charter, conferring on the city of Edinburgh, free liberty and license, for "augmenting, enlarging, and bigging the Harbory of Leith", and that all ships coming there, might "lay ther ankers and towes upon his grounde, and grants for him and his airs all his wawes, roades, and traunses whatsomever, by the land of the barony of Restalrig, to be holden of the King. And gif any of his successurs quarrel thir libertyes, he obliges him and them in a penalty of two hundred pound sterling, to the Burgesses for damnadge and skaith, and in a hundred pound sterling to the fabric of the kirk of Saint Andrews, before the entry to the plea". In 1413, he gave an additional grant of land, on which to build a free quay, and both of these charters were afterwards ratified and extended by the crown.
It was the misfortune of the barons of Lastalrig, that they possessed property so near to Edinburgh, and held the superiority of lands, the improvement of which was so necessary for the rising prosperity of the capital. the corporation and the Logans began to live on disagreeable terms; quarrels arose between their retainers and the burgesses; brawls and bloodshed took place in the streets of Edinburgh, and one of the lairds was clapt in jail, under the vague charge of being "a turbulent and implacable neighbour, and had put certain indignities upon the Edinburghers". Finally, that mysterious affair, the Gowrie conspiracy, "afforded an opportune occasion for the citizens to get rid of their superiors, and the crafty James VI., to gratify his own revenge, for the raid of Ruthven, and his grasping favourites with the forfeited estates".
A series of letters addressed to the Earl of Gowrie were produced, alleged to have been "written everie word and subscribed by" him, in which he is implicated as a zealous partisan in the alleged treasonable plot. Logan had been dead nine years, but as by the Scottish law, a traitor was required to be present at his own trial., the mouldering remains were exhumed and produced in court! An infamous fellow had sworn that the letters, which were not originals, and had appeared in different forms and numbers, during the trial, were purloined, and preserved by him. He afterwards recanted, declaring that "he had no wish to live", but being urged by the authorities and a promise being made that his wife and family should be well provided for, he adhered to his first deposition, when, for surety's sake, he was forthwith hanged. The Lords of the Articles were, notwithstanding, prepared to bring in a verdict of acquittal, but the Earl of Dunbar, who got most of Logan's estates, "travelled so earnestly to overcome their hard opinions of the process", that they at last acknowledged themselves convinced! The forfeiture was accompanied by proscription, so that, as in the case of the Clan Gregor, it was illegal for any one to bear the name Logan.
The effect of these astounding proceedings was, that many families were obliged to abandon, with the loss of their name, their ancient possessions, and adopt other designations, whence great confusion in families and property arose.
These transactions relative to the house of Lastalrig, have been dwelt upon rather lengthily; but they show in what manner the power and influence of tribes have been reduced, in the unsettled ages of society, and their possessions seized, by the tyranny of monarchs and the unbridled cupidity of courtiers.
The Logans of Lastalrig had ample lands, either in the own possession or as superiors, in the counties of Ayr, Renfrew, Perth, Lanark, Aberdeen, and even so far north as Moray, where they held the barony of Abernethie, in Strathspey.
There was another clan in the north, who like the Chisholms, appear to have retained no remembrance of any connection they might have had with those of the same name in the south. They have distinguished themselves from an early period in the transactions of the country, and from this tribe most of the Logans, north of the Grampians, hold themselves descended.
It seems impossible to arrive at anything satisfactory respecting the history of the Ceann-cinnidh, or head of this race, previous to Colan Logan, heiress of Druimanairig, who married Eachuin Beirach, a son of the baron of Kintail, who died at Eadarachaolis, about 1350, leaving a son, Eanruig, from whom are derived the sliochd Harich, or those of the race in the island of Harris. Although by the "courtesy of Scotland" a person marrying as heiress takes her name, yet the celtic law, or patriarchal rule, does not give him the chiefship, which, like the salique law which prevailed in France, excludes the "regimen of woman". It would therefore appear that the Logans left wester, and moved towards easter Ross, the chief settling in Ardmeinach, since called Ellan dubh, or the Black Isle, and although they have always been highly respected and enterprising in farming and commercial pursuits, they afford an instance of the loss of a considerable landed inheritance, and in a great measure of the original strength of patriarchal influence.
One of these chiefs, who was called Gilliegorm, from his dark complexion, was renowned for his warlike prowess. He married a relative of the Lord Lovat, but fell into an unfortunate misunderstanding with the Frasers, arising from some clain which is not, now precisely known, but which he endeavoured to make good by force of arms. Hugh, the second Lord Lovat, determined to settle the matter of dispute, summoned to his assistance, 24 gentlemen of his name from the south, and being joined by some Mac Ra's and others, he marched with his clan from Aird, against Gilliegorm, who mustered his forces, and was fully prepared to meet his enemies. Some overtures for a peaceable settlement of differences being rejected, a sanguinary battle took place on the muir above Kessock, where Logan was slain with most part of his clansmen. Lovat plundered the lands and carried off the wife of Gilliegorm, who was then with child; but the barbarous resolution was formed, that, if it were male, it should be maimed or destroyed, lest, when grown up, the son might revenge his father's death. The child proved a male, but humanity prevailed, and he was suffered to live, there being the less to be apprehended from which he received the appellation "Crotach", or humpbacked. He was educated by the monks of Beauly, entered holy orders, and travelled through the Highlands, founding the churches of Kilmôr in Skye, and Kilichrinan in Glenelg. He seems to have had a dispensation to marry, for he left several children, one of whom, according to a common practice, became a devotee of Finan, a popular Highland saint; and hence he was called Gillie Fhinan, his descendants being Mac Ghillie Fhinans. The Fh being aspirated, the pronunciation is Ghilli'inan, which has now become Mac Lennan.
Dempster, the biographer of Scottish ecclesiastics, mentions, under 1511, Josias Logan, a devotee, who "Europam omnem, Asiam universam, totam Africam incredibile labore lustravit".
There have been several distinguished individuals of this clan, who have lived in more recent times. James Logan was the coadjutor of Penn the founder of Pennsylvania, and from him a county has received its name. His chair is yet preserved, which is occupied by the President of the anniversary meeting, instituted to commemorate this venerable colonizer. Dr. George Logan, another emigrant, was founder of the celebrated Loganian Library, Philadelphia. The Rev. George Logan, of Edinburgh, maintained a literary controversy of no slight description with the learned Ruddiman; and the various works of the Rev. John Logan, another presbyterian clergyman, are well known to the public. The late Logan of Logan, in Ayrshire, who was the last of his name, having left only a daughter, who married a Mr. Campbell, was celebrated for his wit, and a considerable degree of eccentricity; but the amusing publication which was brought out under his name is a compilation of drolleries, a small portion of which only could emanate from him.
Several remarkable instances of longevity in persons of this name have occurred - "Old Logan" served as a soldier fifty years, and died at Halifax, aged 105, about twenty years ago; another in Westminster, about forty years ago, also considerably above a hundred, &c.
The castle of Lasteric, some remains of which still exist, was the usual dwelling of the lairds of that title, but they also possessed the strong and picturesque Fastcastle, with those of Fleurs, Gunsgreen, &c. The residence of the northern Logans is situated on a height called originally Druim-na-clavan, but, after the above described battle, the name was changed to Druim-an-deur, "the ridge of tears". Robert Logan, Esq., banker, London, is representative of this ancient family, and possessor of the property, which is now called Drum-deur-fait.
A wooden figure of Gilliegorm, whose cairn was lately to be seen on the muir, among others of lesser size, was long preserved at Druim deur fait, with great care, "until after the battle of Dunblane, in 1715, when a party of Sutherlands and Munros, under pretence of the public good, having found this relick, charged the Logans with popery and the worship of this figure, which, after plundering the place, they destroyed".
James Logan (1794-1872)
[edit] Clan MacLennan Controversy
The first controversy surrounds the tartan which our two clans wear. First recorded in 1831 by writer James Logan (1794-1872), in his book "The Scottish Gael" (ISBN 0 85976 021 9), the name for this tartan was and still is Logan. The only known reference to this tartan beginning it’s association with clan MacLennan, is the MacLennan print by R. R. McIan.
McIan (1803-1856), was the mastermind behind "The Clans of The Scottish Highlands" (ISBN 0 907486 38 X) which was published in 1848. McIan, did all of the illustration, while James Logan provided all of the text. The information provided to Logan on the history of clan Logan pointed to an ancient link between the Logan’s and MacLennan’s. There was still room for other explanations. The print for MacLennan, shows a fellow from this clan wearing the Logan tartan, but no name is given to it unlike every other clan tartan shown. Given the style of writing at the time and subtlety's used by both the artist and writer, this is not a surprise and allows them to pay homage to the story of the origin of MacLennan.It should also be noted, that until the early 19th century there were no such thing as “clan” tartans. The Logan tartan would be by consequence clamed by the clan MacLennan.
The founder of the MacLennan’s was at best the great grandson of Gilliegorm Logan (a mythical Chief of Clan Logan from circa 1372), and was far removed from the holdings of the clan Logan. The MacLennan were subservient to clans Fraser and MacKenzie at various times.
The issue of Chiefly Arms has come up as a point of contention, with the heart of the Bruce being incorporated into the Arms of the MacLennan Chief, being given as proof of relationship. This could however not be farther from the truth. The currant Chief of MacLennan may have a heart in his Arms, but the recorded Arms of the Chiefly line of MacLennan were of a shield argent (silver or white), three piles (long points), sable (black), in chief, and in base, a cross crosslet fitchee, gules (red). The Crest was an arm and broadsword, proper, with the Motto (same as current) Dum Spiro Spero. The Arms and Crest of the old line of MacLennan Chiefs show no regard to Logan heritage at all.
The current Chief of clan MacLennan, Ruairidh D. G. MacLennan of MacLennan, has also added to this controversy by stating that the first known of that name was Duncan MacLennan of Strathearn. Duncan is mentioned in a charter of King Alexander II in 1217 as being the Laird of Bombie, and it is through him that the MacLellans are said to have originated (by the MacLennans only). This is over one hundred years before the birth of the child of Gilligorm Logan.
This history is further complicated by the mention of Lide MacLennan and his twelve hundred men in the authenticity debated Ossianic poetry, which is purported to be 6th century. St. Adaman is also said to have recorded that they occupied Glenshiel at this time.
Other sources on MacLennan, site that the clan was at Eilean Donnan Castle before 1263 and that the MacGillafinnens, or MacLennans, were titled Lords of Loch Erne, Tairg, and Muintir Peodachain.
With all of the evidence to suggest that MacLennan are an old and proud clan, and in existence as long or longer than that of Logan, the descendantcy of the current line of MacLennan Chiefs includes none of this. They site their origin to Gille Fhinnein, grandson of Gilligorm Logan, and show no connection to any MacLennan before this time.
[edit] Clan Motto, Crest, and Chief
Motto: Hoc Majorum Virtus (Latin: This is the valour of my ancestors)
Crest: A passion nail piercing a man's heart proper
Plant Badge: Conis, whin or furse, Ulex Europeus.
Slogan: In the South, Lesteric Lowe and in the North, Druim an deur
Arms of the Chief: Three passion-nails conjoined in point, sable, piercing a heart, gules.
- At present, the seat of Clan Chief has been dormant since the death of George Logan of that Ilk, who recorded his Arms into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland in 1673.
[edit] Famous members
- Sir Walter and Sir Robert Logan
- James Logan (author), Scottish author, wrote Scottish Gael (1831), list of clan tartans
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- R.R. McIan, "The Clans of The Scottish Highlands" (ISBN 0 907486 38 X)
- International Clan Logan Society, Inc.
- Our Valour©, newsletter of the International Clan Logan Society, Inc.
