Clan Kincaid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Kincaid |
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| Motto | This I'll Defend | ||
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| Madam Arabella Kincaid | |||
| Of Kincaid | |||
| Historic seat | Kincaid House Lennox House |
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Clan Kincaid is a historic Scottish clan. Clans are like big families or groups of people who share a common ancestor and a strong sense of belonging. The Kincaids have a long and interesting history in Scotland.
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Where Did the Kincaids Come From?
The Kincaid family name likely comes from a place, specifically from their land. Some people think "Kincaid" comes from the Scottish Gaelic words ceann-cadha, which means the steep place or pass. Others believe it means of the head of the rock. There's even a theory it means the head of the battle, ceann-catha, which might point to a brave moment in their family's past.
In 1238, Alexander II of Scotland gave the lands of Kincaid to Maldouen, the third Earl of Lennox. Later that year, the Earl gave these lands to Sir William Galbraith. When the Galbraith family line ended, the Kincaid lands went to one of the sisters who married a Logan in 1280. This family then took the name Kincaid from the land itself. The Kincaid lands were quite large, stretching between the River Kelvin and the River Glazert.
Brave Deeds in Scottish Wars
A Kincaid family member showed great courage during the Wars of Scottish Independence. In 1296, this brave Kincaid successfully took back Edinburgh Castle from the English forces led by Edward I of England. Because of this important victory, the Laird of Kincaid became the constable (or keeper) of Edinburgh Castle until about 1314. To honor this achievement, Robert the Bruce allowed the Kincaid family to add a picture of Edinburgh Castle to their family shield. This was a special mark of honor.
Clan Conflicts in the 1500s
The Kincaid family grew their landholdings in eastern Scotland from the late 1500s. They gained estates like Craiglockhart and Bantaskin, and even had connections to Blackness Castle and the fields of Warriston near Edinburgh.
Life in the 1500s could be tough, and clans often had conflicts. Malcolm Kincaid lost his left arm in a clan fight in 1563. He was also involved in a feud with the Clan Lennox in the 1570s. Sadly, Malcolm Kincaid was killed in 1581 by a member of the Clan Stirling. Interestingly, despite the feud, a marriage with the Lennox family much later helped the Kincaid name become an independent clan again in the 1900s.
In 1600, John Kincaid of Warriston was murdered by one of his servants, who was working with John's wife. The servant confessed, and while Lady Kincaid was beheaded, the servant received a very harsh punishment.
The Kincaids in the 1600s and 1700s
During the Scottish Civil War in the 1600s, the Kincaids supported the King. They mostly fought in Ireland. Because they supported the losing side, many Kincaids faced difficulties, and some decided to move to North America for a new start.
In the 1700s, during the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Kincaids supported the exiled Stuart kings. After this uprising, David Kincaid left Scotland and settled in Virginia, America. There's a popular story about the Jacobite rising of 1745 that says four sons of Alexander Kincaid, who was a leader in Edinburgh, fought bravely after the Battle of Culloden. The story says they were captured but escaped and sailed to America, also settling in Virginia. While this is a well-known family tale, there isn't clear proof that it actually happened. Finding out how and when Kincaid families first came to the USA is still a big goal for many family historians.
Towards the end of the 1700s, the main Kincaid family line married into the Lennox family. For about two centuries, the two families were very closely linked. However, the Kincaids have since re-established themselves as a distinct and independent family.
Modern Kincaid Chiefs
In 1959, Alwyne Cecil Peareth Kincaid-Lennox asked the Lord Lyon King of Arms (the official who deals with Scottish coats of arms and clans) to recognize him as the heir to the Kincaid coat of arms. His ancestor, John Kincaid of Kincaid, had registered his arms in 1808. This John Kincaid had married Cecilia Lennox, and their son, John Lennox Kincaid, became the legal representative for both the Kincaid and Lennox families.
Alwyne Cecil Peareth Kincaid-Lennox's request was approved, and he was recognized as the chief of the Kincaid name in 1959. He then took the name Alwyne Cecil Kincaid of Kincaid and helped promote Kincaid as a recognized Scottish Clan.
When Alwyne Cecil Kincaid of Kincaid passed away in 1983, his niece, Heather Veronica Peareth Kincaid Lennox, became the next chief. She registered her coat of arms in 1988. Heather Veronica Kincaid of Kincaid was born in Glasgow in 1918. She had one child, Denis Peareth Hornell, who became the chief of Clan Lennox. Heather Veronica Kincaid of Kincaid died in 1999.
Her granddaughter, Arabella Jane Kincaid Lennox, then became the chief. She registered her coat of arms in 2001 and took the name Arabella Jane Kincaid of Kincaid. She is married and has four children. Today, Arabella Jane Kincaid of Kincaid is represented by the Clan Kincaid Organization, which is based in the United States.
Kincaid Castles and Homes
The Kincaids built a tower or small castle when they first got their lands in the late 1200s. Nothing of this original building remains today. However, a house was built in 1690, made bigger in the 1700s, and then rebuilt in 1812.
This house, known as Kincaid House, is located in what is now Milton of Campsie, East Dunbartonshire. It was the main home of the Kincaids for a long time. The current look of the house was designed by architect David Hamilton in 1812.
Later, the Kincaid family moved to Lennox Castle. This castle was designed by the same architect, David Hamilton, and built between 1837 and 1841 on the old Lennox family estate. Kincaid House was sold in 1921 and is now a hotel.
Lennox Castle was sold in 1927. For a while, it was used as a hospital. The last patients left in 2002, and the castle was badly damaged by fire in 2008. Part of the old castle grounds is now a training facility for Celtic Football Club. Other parts are being developed into a residential area called Campsie Village.
Kincaids in Stories
- In the 50th anniversary James Bond film Skyfall, there's a character named Kincade. He is the groundskeeper at Bond's family home. Albert Finney plays this Scottish character.
