Clan Bissett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Bissett |
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| Motto | Abscissa Virescit (That torn down re-grows) | ||
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| Clan Bissett has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |||
| Historic seat | Aboyne Castle | ||
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Clan Bissett (also known as Bisey, Byset, Bisset or Bissert) is a Scottish clan. It's recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is like the official expert on Scottish clans. However, this clan doesn't have a chief recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. This means the clan doesn't have an official standing under Scots Law.
Clan Bissett is called an armigerous clan. This means that at one time, it had a chief who owned special family symbols or "arms." But right now, no one officially holds these symbols. The name Bissett is also sometimes considered a sept (a family name linked to a larger clan) of the Clan Fraser of Lovat.
Contents
Discovering the Bissett Clan's Past
Where Did the Bissett Clan Come From?
The Bissett name likely comes from Normandy, a region in France. The first Bissett family members came to Scotland with King William the Lion. This happened after he returned from being held captive in England.
The Byset family first settled in places like Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in England. Later, they moved to Scotland. They became powerful landowners in Morayshire. Over time, the family's influence grew. People with the Bissett name were witnesses to many important documents in the 1200s and 1300s. For example, Thomas de Bissat witnessed a special document from Alexander III of Scotland for Paisley Abbey.
A Famous Feud: The Bissett vs. Earl of Atholl
The Bissett family's good fortune faced a big challenge because of a feud. This was a long-lasting quarrel with the Earl of Atholl. In 1242, during a tournament in Haddington, Walter Byset, who was the Lord of Aboyne, was defeated. He lost to the young Earl of Atholl.
After this, something serious happened. Walter Byset and his nephew John had to leave Scotland. They went to Ireland and then to England. The feud continued even there. Later, the son of the Earl of Atholl was pardoned for harming some Bissett family members in Ireland.
A notable person from the family was Habakkuk Bisset. He was a lawyer and a "Writer to the Signet" (a type of legal professional) during the time of James IV of Scotland.
The Bissett Clan Today
Today, the main line of the clan is the Bisset of Lessendrum family. This family is one of the oldest in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Clan Profile
- Motto: The clan's motto is Abscissa Virescit. This is Latin and means "That torn down re-grows" in English.
- Crest: The clan's crest shows the trunk of an oak tree. It has a fresh sprout growing from it.
Castles Connected to the Bissett Clan
Many castles in Scotland and Ireland were once owned by the Bissett family. Here are some of them:
Scottish Castles
- Aboyne Castle: This tall 17th-century tower house is just north of Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. An older stronghold on this site was held by the Bissets.
- Maryculter House: Located seven miles southwest of Aberdeen, this house was also held by the Bissets. Walter Bisset of Aboyne even started a special religious house for the Knights Templar here in 1225.
- Redcastle: This castle in the Black Isle originally belonged to the Bissets. It dates back to the 1100s. Later, it was owned by the Clan Fraser of Lovat and then the Clan Mackenzie.
- Beaufort Castle: Found in Beauly, this castle was first owned by the Bissets. It passed to the Frasers of Lovat in the 1200s through marriage.
- Kilravock Castle: This stronghold is six miles west of Nairn. It was originally a Bissett castle. It passed to the Clan Rose in the 1200s through marriage.
- Lessendrum: Located three and a half miles northeast of Huntly, this was the home of the Bissets of Lessendrum. They were the longest-lasting branch of the clan.
- Upsettlington Castle: Near Upsettington (now Ladykirk) in the Scottish Borders, this was the home of the Bissets of Upsettlington.
Irish Castles
- Glenarm Castle: This castle is in Glenarm, Northern Ireland.
- Red Bay Castle: Located in Glenariff, Northern Ireland.
- Rathlin Castle: Found on Rathlin Island in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
