Clan Gillanders facts for kids
Clan Gillanders, also known in Scottish Gaelic as Clann Ghille Ainnriais, is an old Scottish clan. We know about their family history from a special book called the MS 1467 manuscript. This book was written in the 1400s.
Contents
The Old Family Book: MS 1467
This old manuscript is like a very old family photo album. It helps us understand the history of Clan Gillanders. It lists many generations of their leaders.
Who Was Paul Mactire?
According to this manuscript, the clan's leader was Paul Mactire. He was an important person in the 1360s. The book says that Paul's great-great-great-grandfather was a man named Gillanders. The clan is named after him!
Gilleoin of the Aird
Gillanders was also related to Gilleoin of the Aird. Gilleoin lived around 1140. He was a very important person in the north of Scotland. He is also believed to be the ancestor of other famous clans. These include the Mackenzies and the Mathesons. Gilleoin might have ruled a large area in northern Scotland. This was at a time when Norse power in the area was becoming weaker.
What Historians Say
Historians have looked closely at this old family tree. Some, like W.D.H. Sellar, think there might be too many generations listed. They suggest that the family tree might combine different parts of the family. Another historian, William Matheson, thought that one of the "Paul" names in the book might be Páll Bálkason. He was a sheriff on the Skye island in the 1200s.
Meaning of the Name Gillanders
The name Gillanders comes from a Gaelic name. It means "the servant of (St) Andrew". Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. This name was quite common in Scotland a long time ago.
Historians have found records of two men from the 1200s who might belong to this clan. They are Gillanders MacIsaac and Isaac MacGillanders. They are thought to be father and son. Since Gillanders MacIsaac lived around 1231, he might be the same "Gillanders" mentioned in the old manuscript. These early clan members might have lived in places like the Black Isle, or near Dingwall.
Clan Ross Connection
An old story from the 1600s tells us something interesting. It says that the daughter of Paul Mactire married a man from the Rosses of Balnagown. After this marriage, the Rosses were sometimes called "Clan Leamdreis" in Gaelic. This shows a connection between the two clans.
