Clan Buchan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Buchan |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buchanach | |||
| Motto | Non inferior secutus (Following not the inferior) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowlands | ||
| District | Aberdeenshire | ||
| Chief | |||
 |
|||
| The Rt Hon. Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy | |||
| The Chief of Clan Buchan | |||
| Seat | Auchmacoy House | ||
|
|||
Clan Buchan is a Scottish clan from the Lowlands of Scotland. Clans are like big families or groups of people who share a common ancestor or a strong connection to a certain area. The Buchans are sometimes thought to be a part of the Clan Comyn, another Scottish clan. It's important to know that Clan Buchan is not related to the Clan Buchanan, even though their names sound similar!
Contents
History of Clan Buchan
Where Did Clan Buchan Come From?
The name Buchan comes from a place called Buchan in the northeast of Scotland. This area is in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. Long ago, the powerful leaders of Buchan were called "Mormaers" or "Earls." The Comyn family held this title for a while. But they lost it after they were defeated by Robert the Bruce, a famous Scottish king. The title of Earl of Buchan then went to Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, who was also known as the Wolf of Badenoch because he was a bit wild and fierce!
People who lived in the Buchan area often used "Buchan" as their last name, even if they weren't directly related to the Earls. For example, a historian named Black mentions Ricardus de Buchan, who worked for the bishop of Aberdeen in 1207. Before 1281, William Buchan owned land in Aberdeen. In 1296, Sir Thomas de Boghan signed the Ragman Rolls, showing loyalty to Edward I of England. Sir Thomas's lands were near Edinburgh. His family symbol might have included a shining sun, which is still part of the clan chief's crest today.
It's not exactly known when the Buchans got their lands at Auchmacoy. However, in 1446, Andrew Buchan of Achmakwy helped decide the borders of St Peter's Hospital lands. People believe the family owned Auchmacoy since the early 1300s. But it wasn't until 1503 that Andrew Buchan, who is considered the second chief of Clan Buchan, officially received the lands from James IV of Scotland.
Clan Buchan in the 1600s: Civil War Times
The Buchan Barons of Auchmacoy were very loyal to the royal family, the House of Stuart. Thomas Buchan, the third son of Chief James Buchan of Auchmacoy, was a professional soldier. He fought in both France and Holland. He was part of a Scottish regiment that fought for the king of France.
In 1686, he became a colonel in a regiment for King James VII of Scotland. He later joined John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee, a famous Scottish general. After Dundee was killed in the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, Thomas Buchan became the main commander of all the Jacobite forces in Scotland. The Jacobites were supporters of King James.
General Buchan led about 1,200 foot soldiers and troubled his enemies. However, on May 1, 1690, a strong government force led by General Hugh Mackay surprised and defeated him at the Battle of Cromdale. Buchan managed to escape and joined forces with the Clan Farquharson. They encouraged him to attack again, and they marched towards the Mearns. He faced the Master of Forbes, who had many cavalry soldiers. But Buchan spread out his troops to make it look like he had more men, and Forbes retreated to Aberdeen, causing some panic there. General Hugh Mackay then marched to stop Buchan, and as a result, many of Buchan's Highland soldiers started to leave.
Clan Buchan in the 1700s: Jacobite Risings
Thomas Buchan had to leave Scotland and went to France. But he later returned to fight in the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. He passed away in 1721, still in touch with the exiled royal family.
Modern Clan Buchan History
James Buchan, the fourteenth of Auchmacoy, was officially recognized as the chief of the clan by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms in April 1830. The title then passed to his daughter, Louisa. After her, the title went to her cousin, Sir Norman MacLeod Sinclair, who was the 18th Earl of Caithness. In 1913, he asked the Lord Lyon to take the surname and family symbols of Buchan of Auchmacoy.
The Earl of Caithness's daughter, Lady Lucy Buchan, married Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, who became the Lord Lyon in 1928. Their son was Sir Malcolm Innes of Edengight, who also became Lord Lyon. His oldest daughter became the seventeenth of Auchmacoy. Her son changed his name to Buchan in 1949 to be recognized as the chief of the Buchans by the Lord Lyon.
Perhaps the most famous Buchan was John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He was a well-known author who wrote The Thirty-Nine Steps. He also served as the Governor General of Canada.
Major General Ross Stuart Buchan was an Australian soldier. He served as a major during a tour in Vietnam. He later became the General Officer Commanding Headquarters Training Command. During his time in Vietnam, a close friend, Major Peter Badcoe, was killed and later received the Victoria Cross medal for his bravery.
After David Buchan passed away in 2014, his son, Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy, became the current Chief of Clan Buchan.
Clan Buchan Tartan
| Tartan image | Notes |
|---|---|
 |
Ancient Buchan Tartan |
Clan Buchan Septs
A "sept" is a family name that is considered part of a larger clan. Clan Buchan doesn't have official septs, but the following names have been connected to the Buchan region: Basken/ Baskin, Bede, Buchan/ Bichan/ Bichen, Bonnieville, Boyne, Buck/ Buckie/ Bucky, Cawsell, Chapp, Chrystal/ Chrystall, Clapperton, Coscrach/ Costie/ Costy, Cranach/ Crannach, Cruddon/ Cruden/ Crudon, Crystal/ Crystal/ Crystall, Fitchie/ Fitchy, Gammerie/ Gammery, Hardin/ Hardman/ Hardnan, Kermack, Leisk, Mac, Meason/ Merson, Mondie/ Mondy/ Mundie/ Mundy, Nible/ Niblo, Ogston/ Ogstone/ Ogstoun, Prince, Ratcliff/ Ratliff/ Rattcliff/ Rattliff, Runcie/ Runcy, Shakle, Tarves/ Tarvis, Teunion/ Teunon/ Tewnion/ Tinnon, Tucks, Wadsworth/ Wadsworther, West, Whammond/ Whyman/ Whymon, Willgook
See also
