Clan Russell | |
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Ruiseal | |
Motto | Virtus sine macula. (Virtue without a stain [1] ) |
Profile | |
Region | Lowlands and Highlands |
District | Perth and Kinross, Clackmannanshire and Aberdeenshire |
Clan Russell no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan | |
Historic seat | Aden in Aberdeenshire, various other locations in Scotland |
Last Chief | Baron Rozel |
Clan Russell is a Scottish armigerous clan, with claimed origins in Normandy. It has ancestral ties to the English Dukes of Bedford, and has numerous descendants in Great Britain and America.
Scottish author George F Black believed the surname Russell may be derived from roux which means red. [2] Other writers claim it to be derived from the Norman place name de Rosel. The name Rufus was commonly found among the Anglo-Normans (from Le Roux a nickname for someone with red hair). [2] Between 1164 and 1177 Walter Russel witnessed a charter in favour of Paisley Abbey. [2] Mentioned in a charter of about 1180 is John, son of Robert Russell of Duncanlaw. [2] In 1259 Robert Russell witnessed a deed relating to the lands of Threipland. [2]
In 1296 Robert Russell appears on the Ragman Rolls giving homage to Edward I of England. [2] Historian William Anderson stated that the name of Russell came to Aberdeenshire with one Rozel who was an English baron who fought at the siege of Berwick and the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. [2] Rozel subsequently settled in Scotland and obtained the estate of Aden. [2] His family was styled 'Russell of that Ilk'. [2]
Patrick Russell was married to a sister of Archbishop Sharp and in 1680 he purchased the lands of Moncoffer in Banffshire. From him descend the Scottish Barons of Aden, Aberdeenshire. [2]
The Russell of Ashiesteel family in Selkirkshire were particularly distinguished in military service. [2] Between 1756 and 1767 Colonel William Russel of Ashiesteel was adjutant general of the army of Madras and served under General Lord Clive. [2] His son was Major General Sir James Russel who also served in India and commanded a brigade of cavalry at the Battle of Mahidpur. [2]
Alexander Russell was an eminent doctor and naturalist and in 1756 published a Natural History of Aleppo. [2]
In England, another family, the descendants of Rufus became Dukes of Bedford. [2] The third son of the sixth Duke was John Russell who studied at the University of Edinburgh where he greatly admired the independent and democratic philosophy of the Scots. [2] In politics he was the architect of the first Reform Act 1832 and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [2] He was created Earl Russell in 1861. [2] His grandson was Bertrand Russell who was one of the great philosophers of the twentieth century. [2]
Banffshire is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. The county town is Banff, although the largest settlement is Buckie to the west. It borders the Moray Firth to the north, Morayshire and Inverness-shire to the west, and Aberdeenshire to the east and south.
Clan Barclay is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.
Clan Gordon is a Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The Gordon lands once spanned a large territory across the Highlands. Presently, Gordon is seated at Aboyne Castle, Aberdeenshire. The Chief of the clan is the Earl of Huntly, later the Marquess of Huntly.
Clan Hay is a Scottish clan of the Grampian region of Scotland that has played an important part in the history and politics of the country. Members of the clan are to be found in most parts of Scotland and in many other parts of the world. However, the North East of Scotland, i.e. Aberdeenshire (historic), Banffshire, Morayshire and Nairnshire Nairn (boundaries), is the heart of Hay country with other significant concentrations of Hays being found in Perthshire, especially around Perth, in the Scottish Borders, and in Shetland.
Clan Murray is a Highland Scottish clan. The chief of the Clan Murray holds the title of Duke of Atholl. Their ancestors were the Morays of Bothwell who established the family in Scotland in the 12th century. In the 16th century, descendants of the Morays of Bothwell, the Murrays of Tullibardine, secured the chiefship of the clan and were created Earls of Tullibardine in 1606. The first Earl of Tullibardine married the heiress to the Stewart earldom of Atholl and Atholl therefore became a Murray earldom in 1626. The Murray Earl of Atholl was created Marquess of Atholl in 1676 and in 1703 it became a dukedom. The marquess of Tullibardine title has continued as a subsidiary title, being bestowed on elder sons of the chief until they succeed him as Duke of Atholl.
Clan Dewar is a Scottish clan.
Clan Leask is a Scottish clan.
Clan Strachan is a Scottish clan originating from the barony of Strachan, in Aberdeenshire. The clan does not have a chief, therefore it is considered by Court of the Lord Lyon and the Stand Council of Scottish Chiefs as an Armigerous clan.
Clan Straiton, also called Straton or Stratton, is a Lowland Scottish clan. The clan does not currently have a chief therefore it is considered an Armigerous clan.
Clan Swinton is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.
Mintlaw(literally meaning a smooth, flat place) is a large village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland lying along the A952 road and is geographically a route centre. The 2001 UK census records a population of 2,647 people.
Aden Country Park is located in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, first mentioned in the 10th-century Book of Deer. The park has a caravan area with camping, a small shop, a small cafe near the agricultural museum, a play area, the maintained ruins of Aden House, landscaped gardens, and a barbecue area. Aden Park can be accessed from Mintlaw by Station Road or Nether Aden Road.
Cuminestown is a village in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and sits at the centre of the parish of Monquhitter. It is approximately 6 miles from Turriff and New Deer, 10 miles from Macduff and Banff and 15 miles from Fraserburgh.
Clan Forbes is a Highland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Clan Craig is a Scottish clan hailing from Aberdeenshire. The clan does not have a chief recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, therefore the clan has no standing under Scots Law. Clan Craig is considered an armigerous clan, meaning that it is considered to have had at one time a chief who possessed the chiefly arms, however no one at present is in possession of such arms.
Clan Gardyne is a lowland Scottish clan from Angus
Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a Scottish clan from the central Highlands that played a major role in the history of 13th-century Scotland and in the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Clan Comyn was once the most powerful family in 13th-century Scotland, until they were defeated in civil war by their rival to the Scottish throne, Robert the Bruce.
The Pitfour Estate, in the Buchan area of North-East Scotland, was an ancient barony encompassing most of the extensive Longside Parish, stretching from St Fergus to New Pitsligo. It was purchased in 1700 by James Ferguson of Badifurrow, who became the first Laird of Pitfour.
Clan Tailyour, also known as Clan Taylor, is a Scottish clan. The clan is recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms but it does not currently have a clan chief therefore it is considered an armigerous clan. The surname Taylor is also considered a sept of the Clan Cameron of the Scottish Highlands who are descendants of Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe (b.1550), see: Taylor sept.
The Feudal Barony of MacDuff is a Scottish Feudal Barony in Macduff, Scotland, contained mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Macduff, in the Banff and Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Clan MacDuff traces origins to the historic, Lowland, Scottish Duff Clan. William Shakespeare's MacBeth has always played a role in the legend of Clan MacDuff, as few can determine the line between The Duff Family history and historical fiction. This ambiguity worked to the benefit of future MacDuff Barons, who were able to prove they were descended from the first Duff to receive a charter in Northeast Scotland. In 1404 David Duff received the charter, in Aberdeenshire, from Robert III of Scotland. In 1759, William Duff was granted the historic Celtic Title of “Fife”, further tying the Duffs of Northeast Scotland, with their ancient Lowland ancestors - the original Earls of Fife from the 11th century. William Duff had five sons - the eldest, James, would become the 2nd Earl Fife and the 1st Baron of MacDuff. James invested heavily in the village of Doune, or “Down”, across the River Deveron from Banff. He built a harbor there in 1760, which quickly became more successful than the harbor at neighboring Banff, which had been established much earlier. In 1783 a charter was granted by King George III, changing the name from Doune to Macduff in his favor and, although a lesser title than Earl, bestowing on him the dignity of the 1st Baron of Macduff.