MacCulloch
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The name MacCulloch is an ancient Scottish name.
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[edit] Families of the name MacCulloch
[edit] MacCulloch's of Myreton
1. The MacCulloch's of Myreton were a Lowland family who lived in southern Scotland overlooking Luce Bay near the Water of Luce. Unlike other MacCulloch families the MacCullochs of Myreton were not septs of another clan but owned their own territory and were seated at Cardoness Castle. Myreton is in southwest Scotland along the coast. Across the bay from Myreton lies another MacCulloch region related to Ardwell. King Robert the Bruce of Scotland of Scotland knighted Captain Cullo O'Neil and chose him to be his standard-barrer and Secretary of State around 1317. He gave Sir Cullo O'Neil lands in Lorn, Myreton, and Achawan which encompass Killerar and Ardwell in Gallaway. Sir Cullo O'Neil died in 1331 and left his estate of Myreton and other lands in Galloway to his eldest son Sir Godfrey, who assumed the surname of McCullo. The progenitor of this race is lost in antiquity and it is not until the 13th century that we have a positive record of the name. The first noted swore fealty to Edward I of England c.1296, and this lineage held the lands of Torhouse, Myreton and Ardwell in Galloway until, in 1682, Sir Godfrey Macculloch, through imprudence, was obliged to sell his inheritance and live in reduced circumstances. Following a fatal fight over some cattle with a Clan Gordon neighbour he fled the country for a time, but returned, only to be apprehended and executed in 1697.
[edit] MacCullochs of Ross-shire
2. Another MacCulloch family, the MacCullochs of Ross-shire were known to have established themselves in Easter Ross by the 14th century, where they are first noted as followers of the Earl of Ross and Clan Ross. In 1486 Angus MacCulloch of Tarell was killed at the Battle of Strathcarron/Blair alt na charis fighting against the Clan MacKay who had long been at feud with the Clan Ross.
In 1497 they aligned themselves as a sept of the Clan Munro in Ross-shire. The family had considerable tenure of lands around Tain. Their principal designation 'of Plaidis' was held until John Macculloch, Provost of Tain, bought the lands of Kindeace from Munro of Culnald in 1612, whereafter they became 'of Kindeace'. Other lands held by the Maccullochs in Easter Ross included Piltoun, Mulderg and Easter Drumm, the latter coming into their possession in 1649.
[edit] MacCulloch's of Oban
3. Another MacCulloch family, MacCulloch's of Oban. A third 'clan' of Maccullochs inhabited lands in the vicinity of Oban, and the island of Kerrara, on the West coast of Argyll, where Macculloch of Colgin was long recognised as representer of his line who were said to be descended from a race of MacLulichs who had inhabited Benderloch under the patronage of the Clan MacDougall.
That various MacCullochs allied themselves with other clans is undoubted but, given their individual land holdings, they no doubt held themselves to be the equal of any.
The name of MacCulloch is used in the film Braveheart. Where a character by the name of Hamish MacCulloch plays William Wallace's right hand man in their fight against the English during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
[edit] McCulloch lineages and related families
In 1966, with the death of his father, Walter Jameson McCulloch became the 14th of Ardwall, as well as sixth of Hills, the latter Maxwell estate near Lochrutton having been in the McCulloch family since 1710. He had three sons: Andrew Jameson (b.1935); John David (of Auchindinny) (b.1937) and Alexander Patton (1946). His extensive book which was published for private family use contains trees of the following McCulloch lineages and related families:
- McCulloch of Myreton
- McCulloch of Ardwell (later of Myretoun)
- McCulloch of Killasser
- McCulloch of Torhouse
- McCulloch of Drummorrel
- McCulloch of Inshanks and Mule
- McCulloch of Torhousekie
- McCulloch of Cardiness
- Gordon of Cardiness
- McCulloch of Barholm
- McCulloch of Kirkclaugh
- McCulloch of Auchengool
- McCulloch of Ardwall (Nether Ardwall)
- Maxwell of Hills.
[edit] MacCulloch Tartans
The MacCullochs of Ross-shire, as septs of the Clan Munro and Clan Ross are permitted to wear either of those clans tartans and the MacCullochs of Oban as septs of the Clan MacDougall may wear their tartan or even the District of Galloway tartan. However the MacCullochs themselves also have their own clan tartan aswell as a second "dress" tartan.
[edit] Castles
- Cardoness Castle was the seat of the MacCullochs of Myreton which was built in the 1470's. [1]
- Barholm Castle was the seat of a branch of the MacCullochs of Myreton who became known as the MacCullochs of Barholm. [2]
- Myreton Castle was another seat of the MacCullochs of Myreton which was built in the 16th century but was sold to the Clan Maxwell in 1685. The castle was built on a thie site of a 12th century motte. Today the castle lies in ruin. [3][4]
[edit] Spelling variations
Although MacCulloch is the most frequent, due to the fact that few people could write centuries ago the spelling of the name has varried. This may mean that members of the same family may have even spelt their names differently. Spelling variations include:
- Culloch
- Gulloch
- MacCoulaghe
- MacChullach
- MacAlach
- MacCullaigh
- MacClullich
- MacLullich
- MacLullick
- Makcullocht
