Clan MacQuarrie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan MacQuarrie |
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Crest: Out of an antique crown, An arm in armour embowed, grasping a dagger, all proper.
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| Motto | Turris fortis mihi Deus, (translation from Latin: God is to me a tower of strength). |
| Slogan | An t'arm breac dearg, (translation from Scottish Gaelic: The red tartaned army). |
| Profile | |
| Region | Inner Hebrides Scottish Highlands |
| District | Ulva, Staffa and the Isle of Mull |
| Plant badge | pine. |
| Clan MacQuarrie has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |
| Last Chief | Lachlan Macquarrie of Ulva |
| Died | 1818 |
Clan MacQuarrie (also known as Quarrie or Macquarie) is a very old Highland Scottish clan. They once owned the islands of Ulva, Staffa, and Gometra. They also owned large areas of land on the Isle of Mull. All these places are in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
The name MacQuarrie comes from Scottish Gaelic and means "son of Guaire." This clan is one of the seven Siol Alpin clans. These clans are believed to be descendants of the ancient Kings of the Picts and Dál Riata. Clan MacQuarrie is one of the four oldest Highland clans. Their family tree goes back to Kenneth MacAlpine in the 9th century. Kenneth MacAlpine was the first King of Scots.
A very old document from 1450 says that Clan MacQuarrie came from Guaire. Guaire means "noble" in Scottish Gaelic. He was the brother of Fingon (who started Clan MacKinnon) and Anrias (who started Clan Gregor). The MacQuarries were known as fierce fighters. They bravely supported King Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence. They fought with him at the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
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History of Clan MacQuarrie
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The Clan MacQuarrie first lived on the island of Ulva in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. They were followers of the powerful Lord of the Isles. The earliest record of a Clan MacQuarrie chief is John Macquarrie of Ulva. He passed away in 1473.
John's son, Dunslaff, became chief during a time when the Lordship of the Isles lost its power. After this, the MacQuarries became an independent clan. They were small but respected. They had a strong ally in Clan MacLean. When the Lordship of the Isles fell, the MacQuarries supported Maclean of Dowart. They also helped Domhnall Dubh try to regain the Lordship in the early 1500s. In 1504, MacGorry of Ullowaa was called to answer for helping in Domhnall Dubh's failed rebellion.
The clan suffered greatly at the Battle of Inverkeithing. This battle took place on July 20, 1651. The MacQuarries fought for Charles II of England against an English Parliamentarian army. This army was led by John Lambert. Many Scots left the battle, and the English army won a clear victory. The chief of Clan MacQuarrie, Allan Macquarrie of Ulva, and most of his followers were killed in this battle.
The Last Chief and His Legacy
Clan MacQuarrie does not have a chief today. The last chief was Lauchlan Macquarrie of Ulva. He was the clan head when famous travelers Samuel Johnson and James Boswell visited Ulva in 1773. Due to money problems, the last chief had to sell his lands. In 1778, at 63 years old, he joined the British Army. He fought in the American Revolutionary War. He lived to be very old, dying at 103 on January 14, 1818.
The last chief and his wife, Alice Maclean, had eight children. Four were sons and four were daughters. Three of his sons joined the British Army and did not have children. Only his third son, Donald, had children. Donald was born around 1745. He joined the Fencible Men of Argyllshire as an Ensign in 1761. After leaving the army, he moved to Liverpool. He married Martha Lea in 1790. They had one daughter named Agnes MacQuarrie.
Agnes MacQuarrie married Captain William Danson in 1816. Captain Danson was a ship master. In 1824, his ship, the Thisbe of Liverpool, sailed from Liverpool to Quebec. Sadly, the ship never arrived. Captain William Danson, his wife Agnes, and four of their children were lost at sea. However, their daughter Thisbe Danson survived. She was born at sea and named after the ship. Her descendants live today in the UK and the USA.
A large part of the clan's original land was bought back by Major-General Lachlan Macquarie. He was the Governor of New South Wales in Australia. He is often called "The Father of Australia." Places like Port Macquarie and Macquarie Island are named after him. Governor Lachlan's mother and the last chief were half-cousins. They both shared Lachlan MacQuarrie, the 14th Chief, as a grandfather.
Today, Clan MacQuarrie is still active with members all over the world. Since no one has claimed to be the next Chief for almost 200 years, the chiefdom is currently without a leader. The current heir is a descendant of Thisbe Danson. The Coat of Arms of the MacQuarries of Ulva is displayed at Macquarie University. This is to honor Lachlan Macquarie.
Famous Clan Members
- Major-General Lachlan Macquarie CB (1762-1824): He was the 5th Governor of New South Wales. He is known as "The Father of Australia."
- Ralph McQuarrie (1929–2012): He was an American designer and artist. He won an Academy Award. He designed the original Star Wars movies.
- Sir Albert McQuarrie (1918–2016): He was a Conservative Member of Parliament. He served from 1979 to 1987. He was also given the title Knight Batchelor in 1987.
See also
