Clan Russell

Last updated

Clan Russell
Ruiseal
Crest of Clan Russell.jpg
Crest: A dexter hand holding a skene dubh and on the point thereof a pair of balances, all Proper.
MottoVirtus sine macula. (Virtue without a stain [1] )
Profile
Region Lowlands and Highlands
District Perth and Kinross, Clackmannanshire and Aberdeenshire
Russell of that Ilk version 2 arms.svg
Clan Russell no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan
Historic seatAden in Aberdeenshire, various other locations in Scotland
Last ChiefBaron 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.

Contents

History

Origins of the clan

Hugh de Rosel, the legendary and probably fictitious Norman ancestor of Clan Russell. Drawn by Le Neve, York Herald, in 1626. Woburn Abbey collection. HugoDeRoselByLeNeve.jpg
Hugh de Rosel, the legendary and probably fictitious Norman ancestor of Clan Russell. Drawn by Le Neve, York Herald, in 1626. Woburn Abbey collection.

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]

Wars of Scottish Independence

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]

17th, 18th and 19th centuries

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]

Coats of Arms

Castles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banffshire</span> Historic county in Scotland

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Barclay</span> Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Barclay is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Gordon</span> Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Hay</span> Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Murray</span> Highland Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Dewar</span> Scottish clan

Clan Dewar is a Scottish clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Leask</span> Scottish clan

Clan Leask is a Scottish clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Strachan</span> 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Swinton</span> Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Swinton is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mintlaw</span> Human settlement in Scotland

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aden Country Park</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuminestown</span> Human settlement in Scotland

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Forbes</span> Highland Scottish clan

Clan Forbes is a Highland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Craig</span> Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Gardyne</span> Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Gardyne is a lowland Scottish clan from Angus

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Cumming</span> Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pitfour estate</span> Ancient barony in North-East Scotland

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Tailyour</span> Scottish clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish feudal barony of MacDuff</span> Historic Scottish feudal barony

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.

References

  1. Fairbairn, James; Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1892). Volume 1 of Fairbairn's Book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland. Edinburgh: T. C. and E. C. Jack. p. 91. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 453.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Coventry, Martin. (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. pp. 509. ISBN   978-1-899874-36-1.