Clan Darroch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Darroch |
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| Clann Domhnuill Riabhaich | |||
| Motto | Be Watchful | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highlands and Lowlands | ||
| District | Inner Hebrides (Highland) Stirling (Lowland) |
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| Chief | |||
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| Claire Darroch of Gourock | |||
| The Chief of Clan Darroch (McIllreich) | |||
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Clan Darroch is a historic Scottish clan. A clan is like a big family group from Scotland. The current leader of Clan Darroch is recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. This leader's family comes from the Darrochs of Jura, an island in Scotland.
Contents
The Story of Clan Darroch
Where Did the Name Darroch Come From?
The name Darroch might come from the Scottish Gaelic word Macdara. This means 'son of oak'. It's thought that the Darroch family first lived near Stirling. Their name might have come from a place called Darroch, near Falkirk. This area might have had many oak trees long ago. Because of this, the Darroch family's special symbol, called their 'arms', shows three oak trees.
There's another idea for the name, especially in the West Highlands. Some say it comes from the Gaelic Dath riabhach. This is a shorter way of saying Mac 'Ille riabhach. This means 'son of the brindled one'. The current leaders of the clan, recognized since the late 1700s, say their family came from a "McIlliriech" from Jura.
Early Darrochs in Stirling
Records show Darroch family members living in Stirling a long time ago. In 1406, a man named John Darroch was a 'bailie' in Stirling. A bailie was like a town official. Later, in 1445, John Darach de Cruce is mentioned. He might be the same John Darraugh who represented Stirling in Parliament.
In 1462, the nurse for Lady Margaret Stewart was Mariote Darrauch. Lady Margaret was the daughter of James II of Scotland, a king. In 1471, Marion Darroch of Stirling spoke up. She protested that she had not agreed to give away some money owed to her. In 1477, Jacobus Darroch was a witness to an important document. This document was about land belonging to the Stirlings of Keir.
Darrochs of the Inner Hebrides
The Darroch family was most common on the islands of Islay and Jura. Here, they were part of the larger Clan Donald. These Darrochs were known as the Clann Domhnuill Riabhaich. This Gaelic name means 'brindled color'. It helped tell them apart from the fair-haired people of Jura. Those people were called dath buidhe, which means 'yellow color'. The name 'Bowie' comes from this.
In 1623, the Mic ille Riabhaich family signed a special agreement. They agreed that Sir Donald MacDonald, 1st Baronet of Sleat was their leader. In return, MacDonald promised to protect them. The Gaelic family name for the Darroch chief became McIllreich.
18th Century Darrochs
The Darroch family leaders of Gourock came from the McIllreich family of Jura. Duncan Darroch was born on Jura, probably in the early 1700s. He later moved to Jamaica. There, he became very successful and built up a large estate.
However, Duncan wanted to return to Scotland. In 1784, he bought the lands and title of Gourock from the Stewarts of Castlemilk. The Lord Lyon King of Arms officially recognized him. He was named 'Chief of that ancient name the patronymic of which is McIllreich'. This meant he was the official leader of the Darroch clan.
Images for kids
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The Arms of DARROCH OF GOUROCK – This special symbol shows a three-masted ship sailing on the sea. It also has three oak trees with roots and golden fruit. This design was recorded in the Lyon Office Public Register in 1962.
See also
