Clan Lockhart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Lockhart |
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Crest: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine a boar's head erased Argent, langued Gules
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| Motto | Corda Serrata Pando (I open locked hearts - a pun on the clan name) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowlands | ||
| District | Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, Edinburghshire, and Peeblesshire | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Angus Hew Lockhart of the Lee | |||
| Chief of the Name and Arms of Lockhart | |||
| Historic seat | Lee Castle | ||
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Clan Lockhart is a very old and important family from the Scottish Lowlands. Their name was first spelled Locard or Lokart. It changed to Lockhart around 1330, thanks to Symon Locard, 2nd of Lee.
The Lockharts were a powerful family in lowland Scotland during the Middle Ages. They owned large areas of land across the Lowlands. These areas included Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, Edinburghshire, and Peeblesshire. Even though they are a lowland family, the Lockharts are officially recognized as a clan. The current clan chief is Angus Hew Lockhart of the Lee.
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History of the Lockharts
Where the Name Lockhart Came From
The name Lockhart used to be Locard or Lokart. The spelling "Lockhart" started around 1330. This change is linked to a famous journey called the Crusades.
The Locard family's history goes back to 1066. They were among the people who fought with William the Conqueror in the Norman Conquest. Like many other Scottish families, the Locards came to Scotland from England. This happened after they lost their lands to William the Conqueror.
In the 1100s, there were Lockards near Penrith and also in Annandale. The town of Lockerbie in Annandale is even said to be named after them. The main family finally settled in Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, Peeblesshire, and Lanarkshire. They have owned land there for over 700 years.
An old document from 1323 is the earliest paper in the family's records. In it, Sir Symon Locard promised to pay rent for the lands of Lee and Cartland, South Lanarkshire. It's believed the family got the lands of Lee around 1272. Stephen Locard, Sir Symon's grandfather, started the village of Stevenson in Ayrshire. His son Symon also named a village after himself, Symons Toun. Today, this village is called Symington.
Fighting for Scotland's Freedom
Symon Locard, 2nd of Lee, became famous during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He fought bravely against the English alongside King Robert the Bruce. For his loyalty and service, he was made a knight.
Sir Symon went on a special journey with 'Good Sir James Douglas' of the Clan Douglas. They were traveling to the Holy Land to take the heart of Robert the Bruce there. Sir Symon was the one who carried the key to the locked silver box holding the king's heart.
In Spain, James Douglas was killed fighting the Moors. Command of the Scottish knights then went to Symon Locard. He bravely rescued the silver box and the king's heart. Since he could not reach Jerusalem, Locard returned to Scotland. He took the king's heart to Melrose Abbey and Sir James Douglas's bones to St. Bride’s Kirk. To remember Sir Symon Locard's part in this important journey, the family name was later changed to Lockheart, and then shortened to Lockhart. From then on, the family's coat of arms included a king's heart inside a lock. Their motto became "Corda Serrata Pando," which means "I open locked hearts."
The Lee Penny: A Magical Stone
During the Crusades in the 1300s, the Lockharts brought back a very special family treasure. Sir Simon Lockhart captured a Moorish leader in battle. As part of the leader's ransom, his mother gave Sir Simon a stone with healing powers. She told Sir Simon that the stone could help with bleeding, fever, bites from a mad dog, and sickness in horses and cattle.
This dark red stone was later placed inside a silver coin. This coin has been identified as a fourpenny piece from the time of King Edward IV. The Lee Penny is kept in a gold snuffbox. This box was a gift from Maria Theresa of Austria, the Empress of Austria, to her general Count James Lockhart in 1789.
The Lee Penny became very famous across Scotland and Northern England. There are many stories of it being used successfully. The Church of Scotland even allowed this coin to be used, even though they usually banned charms. The coin was lent to the people of Newcastle during the reign of King Charles I. They used it to try and protect themselves from the plague. A large sum of money was promised for its safe return. The penny became even more famous in the 1800s. It inspired Sir Walter Scott's 1825 novel The Talisman.
Lockharts in the 1600s
In 1547, Alan Lockhart of Lee died at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Later, Sir James Lockhart of Lee (born 1594) was made a knight by King Charles I of England. He also became a judge on the Supreme Court, known as Lord Lee.
The English Civil War
During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Sir James Lockhart was a strong supporter of the King. He was captured in 1651. His son, Sir William Lockhart of Lee, was also a brave soldier. He fought for the King at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. However, he later became friends with Oliver Cromwell and married Cromwell's niece. Because of this, he was not favored by the new kings when they returned to power in 1660. He moved to France and continued his military career there.
Sir George Lockhart (1630–1689) was another important member of the family. He became a very famous lawyer in Edinburgh. In 1685, he became the Lord President of the Court of Session, a very high legal position. He was also a Member of Parliament for Lanarkshire. He was made a knight in 1663. Sadly, he was murdered on Easter Sunday in 1689 by someone who was unhappy with a court decision.
The 1700s and Jacobite Risings
George Lockhart, Second of Carnwath (1673–1731), was a strong supporter of the Jacobite cause. This meant he supported the exiled King James. He was involved in the discussions for the Treaty of Union, but he was the only one who voted against it. He was also one of the first people to improve farming methods. He had fourteen children with his wife, Euphemia Montgomery. He died in a duel.
James Lockhart inherited the family estates in 1777. He served in the military in Europe. He became a count and a general in the Empress Maria Theresa's army.
Clan Chief
The current Chief of Clan Lockhart is Ranald Lockhart of the Lee. He is the official Chief of the Name and Arms of Lockhart.
Clan Castles
- The main home of the Clan Lockhart Chief used to be Lee Castle. However, it is no longer owned by the Lockhart family.
- The Tower of Hallbar was bought by George Lockhart of Lee Castle in 1681.
- Craiglockhart Castle is a 13th-century medieval tower. It is connected to the Lockhart of Lee family. The family also owned the lands of Craiglockhart, which included the Craiglockhart Hills.
Clan Tartans
The most common tartan for the Lockharts is a green pattern known as the Lockhart Tartan.
| Tartan image | Notes |
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| Clan Lockhart tartan. This tartan was officially recorded before The Scottish Register of Tartans was created. |
See also
- Lockharts of Lee
- Scottish clan
- James Lockhart (Scottish aristocrat)
