Clan Carruthers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Carruthers |
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Crest: A seraphim volant Proper
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| Motto | Promptus et Fidelis (Ready and faithful) | ||
| War cry | Holmains/We ride | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | The Scottish Western Marches Scottish Borders | ||
| District | Dumfriesshire | ||
| Plant badge | Gorse (Ulex europaeus) | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains, Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers, 22nd of his line. | |||
| Seat | Holmains | ||
| Historic seat | Mouswald Tower Holmains Towerhouse (Howmains) Kirkwood House |
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Clan Carruthers is a Scottish clan from the Scottish Borders. A clan is like a big family group. This clan is led by its Chief, Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains. The Chief is officially recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is Scotland's expert on family symbols and titles.
For over 200 years, Clan Carruthers did not have an official Chief. But after a lot of research, a Chief was finally confirmed on August 19, 2019. This means Clan Carruthers is now a fully recognized Scottish clan around the world.
Contents
History of Clan Carruthers
Where the Name Came From
The name Carruthers comes from a place in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It likely refers to an old British fort called Caer Rydderch. This means "fort of Rydderch," which was probably a person's name.
In the 1200s, the main Carruthers family became important helpers to the Clan Bruce in a place called Annandale. A church leader named Nigel de Karruthers was a Rector (a type of priest) in 1380. He also worked for Robert, the High Steward of Scotland, who later became King. Around 1320, the Carruthers family also got land called Musfald, which is now known as Mouswald.
The 1500s and Beyond
The main Carruthers family line from Mouswald ended in 1548. Sir Simon Carruthers, who was the 10th leader of Mouswald, was killed during a border raid. He had no sons, so his daughters were looked after by the Clan Douglas.
However, another branch of the family, the Carruthers of Holmains, grew stronger. In 1542, their lands became a special area called a "free barony." In 1563, John Carruthers of Howmains was accused of attacking Kirkpatrick of Closeburn, who was the chief of Clan Kirkpatrick. In 1587, the Clan Carruthers was listed as one of the "unruly clans" in the area. These were clans known for their strong independence.
From the 1700s to Today
The Holmains family lost their lands in 1772 because of money problems. But a younger son from the family had started another branch, the Dormont line, in the 1500s. The Carruthers of Dormont still own their land today.
A famous member of the clan was Colonel Francis Carruthers. He was a soldier who fought in Egypt and the Boer War. He also worked at the War Office and was a brigadier in the Royal Company of Archers. This group is the monarch's bodyguard in Scotland. He was also a Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.
As mentioned, the current Chief of Clan Carruthers was officially confirmed on August 19, 2019.
Clan Symbols and Coats of Arms
A "coat of arms" is like a special family symbol or badge. It shows who you are and where you come from. The Carruthers family has had different coats of arms over many years.
Old Carruthers Arms
The very first symbols for Carruthers of Carruthers were:
- Gold shields with two black zig-zag lines.
- Sometimes, they were shown with blue zig-zag lines instead.
Mouswald Arms
Later, the Carruthers of Mouswald used:
- Red shields with a zig-zag line and three lily flowers (fleur de lys) in gold.
- Then, red shields with a zig-zag line and three lily flowers in silver.
Holmains Arms Today
In 1672, a law called the Lyon Act was made. It said that all Scottish family symbols had to be recorded in a special book. John Carruthers, the 9th leader of Holmains, made the family's symbols official. He combined the old Carruthers symbols with those of the last Mouswald Chief.
Today, the Chief's arms are red with two zig-zag lines and three gold lily flowers. These symbols are personal to the Chief and cannot be used without his permission.
Other Family Symbols
When other members of the Carruthers family want their own official symbols, they must be different from the Chief's. They have to change their shield in at least two ways.
For example, the Carruthers of Dormont added a gold border around their shield in 1913. They also used smaller zig-zag lines. They kept the flying angel (Seraphim volant) as their crest and the motto "Promptus et Fidelis" (Ready and Faithful).
More recently, in 2017, Dr George Carruthers got his own symbols. He used smaller zig-zag lines and changed one of the lily flowers to a "pheon" (a type of spearhead). His crest shows the Archangel Michael, and his motto is "Non Sto Solus" (I do not stand alone).
All Carruthers family symbols that are officially recorded have an angel figure as their crest. The Chief's crest shows a flying angel with six wings and a face. This has been a part of the Carruthers identity for nearly 400 years.
The Chief of Carruthers
The first recognized Chiefs of Carruthers started with Thomas Carruthers, 1st of Mouswald. In 1320, King Robert the Bruce gave him land, including Mouswald, for his help.
The Mouswald family grew powerful. But their line ended in 1548 when Sir Simon Carruthers, the 10th leader of Mouswald, was killed. He had no sons.
After Mouswald, the leadership passed to the Carruthers of Holmains. They are direct descendants of John Carruthers, who was the younger brother of Thomas, 1st of Mouswald.
The Holmains line continued until John Carruthers, the 12th of Holmains, passed away in 1809. For 210 years, no one officially took on the role of Chief.
This changed on August 19, 2019. After careful review, the Lord Lyon confirmed Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains as the Chief. Dr. Carruthers is a direct descendant of the Holmains line, going back many centuries.
In 2020, the Chief's symbols were updated to include two deer standing on their hind legs, surrounded by heathland and gorse flowers.
Clan Members and Their Symbols
In Scottish clans, different members wear different symbols to show their place in the clan.
The Chief
The Chief wears three feathers on his bonnet (a type of hat). His personal motto is written around his crest.
Armigers
Armigers are clan members who have their own official coats of arms. Their symbols are slightly different from the Chief's. They wear one feather on their bonnet. Their own motto or the Chief's motto is written around their crest.
Here are some examples of Carruthers Armigers:
- Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains (the Chief): His arms are red with two zig-zag lines and three gold lily flowers. His motto is "Promptus et Fidelis" (Ready and Faithful).
- James Andrew Carruthers of Dormont: His arms are similar to the Chief's but with a gold border and smaller zig-zag lines. His crest is a flying angel.
- Dr George Carruthers: His arms have smaller zig-zag lines, two lily flowers, and a spearhead. His crest is St Michael, and his motto is "Non Sto Solus" (I do not stand alone).
These personal symbols are like a visual signature for each person. They cannot be used without permission.
Clansmen and Clanswomen
Most clan members do not have their own official symbols. They show their support for the Chief by wearing his crest. This crest is surrounded by a belt and buckle with the Chief's motto: "Promptus et Fidelis." The crest shows a flying angel with six wings and a face in the middle.
Clan Tartan
A tartan is a special patterned cloth, usually made of wool, that represents a Scottish clan or family. Clan Carruthers was recognized as a clan in 1587.
For a long time, Carruthers was thought to be part of the Bruce family. So, they were allowed to use the Bruce tartan. However, the Bruce tartan belongs to the Bruce family.
As a "Border Reiver" family, Carruthers did not traditionally wear kilts. Instead, they wore "trews," which are like trousers. These were better for riding horses quickly. There was no official Carruthers tartan until 2017.
To show that Carruthers is its own distinct clan, a new tartan was designed in 2017. It was based on the Bruce tartan but with new colors.
- Green, purple, and lilac represent the old Carruthers lands.
- Red stands for the bravery of their ancestors.
- A subtle white stripe makes it unique and shows the family's history.
This new tartan was registered and became the official Clan Carruthers tartan in 2020. It is now available for all Carruthers family members.
Clan Carruthers Society (International)
The Clan Carruthers Society (International) was started in 2017. It is the official group for the worldwide Carruthers family. It is a non-profit group that helps connect family members.
The Society is based in Scotland and has representatives in many countries, like Australia, Africa, Canada, the UK, Europe, and the USA. You can find them at: www.clancarrutherssociety.org
Clan Society Badge
The Society's badge is the Chief's crest: a flying angel. It is surrounded by a belt and buckle with the Chief's motto: "Promptus et Fidelis." Wearing this badge shows your loyalty and support for the Chief of Carruthers.
What the Society Does
The Society is a non-profit group open to all Carruthers family members. It helped make Carruthers an official clan again. They supported the process to confirm Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains as the Chief on August 19, 2019.
