Clan Moncreiffe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Moncreiffe |
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| Monadh Craoibhe | |||
Crest: Issuing from a crest coronet Or, a demi-lion rampant Gules, armed and langued Azure.
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| Motto | Sur Esperance (Upon hope) | ||
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| Region | Highlands | ||
| District | Perthshire | ||
| Plant badge | Oak | ||
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| Peregrine Moncreiffe of that Ilk | |||
| Chief of Clan Moncreiffe | |||
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| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Clan Moncreiffe is a historic Scottish clan from the Scottish Highlands. The clan's name comes from their lands in Perthshire, Scotland. The Moncreiffe family has a long and interesting history, connected to ancient Scottish kings and important events.
History of Clan Moncreiffe
Where the Clan Began
The name Moncreiffe comes from a place called Moncreiffe in Perthshire. This name means "Hill of the sacred bough" in Scottish Gaelic. The clan's special plant is the oak tree, which might be linked to this "sacred bough."
Moncreiffe Hill was once a strong place for the Picts, who were early people of Scotland. This suggests the clan has very old roots in the area.
A chief of the clan, Iain Moncreiffe, believed their family's coat of arms showed they were related to an old royal line. This line included Maldred, who was a regent (a ruler for a young king) in Cumbria.
In 1248, a man named Matthew Muncrephe was given land in Perthshire by Alexander II of Scotland. Later, in 1296, Sir John Moncref and William de Moncrefe were among many Scottish nobles who promised loyalty to Edward I of England.
The 1400s and 1500s
Malcolm Moncreiffe, the sixth Laird (landowner) of Moncreiffe, was an advisor to James II of Scotland. He received a special document that made his lands into the Barony of Moncreiffe. He passed away around 1465.
His son, the seventh Laird, became a special helper to James III of Scotland. Sadly, he was killed by pirates before 1475.
The main branches of the Moncreiffe family today come from the eighth Laird, who died around 1496. The Moncreiffes of Moncreiffe are the main line of chiefs. Other important branches include the Moncreiffs of Tulliebole and the Moncreiffs of Bandirran.
During the 1500s, some Moncreiffes even joined the famous Scots Guard in France. This was a special group of Scottish soldiers who protected the French king.
In 1513, Sir John Moncreiffe, the ninth Laird, was killed in the Battle of Flodden. This was a big battle between Scotland and England. His cousin, John, also died there.
Sir John's son, William Moncreiffe, became the tenth Laird. He was captured at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542 and held in the Tower of London. After he was freed, he became a Protestant. He supported the new Protestant church in Scotland.
In 1544, the Clan Moncreiffe helped the Clan Ruthven in a fight against the Clan Charteris. The Ruthvens were powerful in the town of Perth. When a Charteris was made Provost (like a mayor) of Perth instead of a Ruthven, the town refused him. The Charteris clan attacked, but the Ruthvens and Moncreiffes defended the town.
The 1600s and Civil War
Sir John Moncreiffe, the twelfth Laird, was given the title of Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1626. This was a special honor from the king.
However, John later signed the National Covenant in 1638. This document supported the Scottish church against the king's changes. His son, also named John, raised a group of soldiers for King Charles II of England.
Later, in 1667, the Moncreiffe lands were sold to Thomas Moncreiffe. He was also a descendant of the eighth Laird. In 1685, Thomas was made a baronet by King James II and VII of Scotland.
Thomas Moncreiffe became an important official in Scotland. He also ordered a new family home to be built at Moncreiffe. This house was designed by a famous architect, Sir William Bruce, in 1679.
Clan Chiefs and Homes
The new home built by Sir William Bruce in 1679 was the family seat for many years. Sadly, in November 1957, the house was destroyed by a fire. The chief at the time, Sir David Moncreiffe, died in the fire.
After this tragedy, the chiefship passed to Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk. He was a famous Scottish historian.
Sir David's sister, Miss Elizabeth Moncreiffe, was his heir. But she wanted her cousin, Sir Iain, to be the chief. She kept the feudal barony (the land title) of Moncreiffe. She built a new, modern house on the old site. It even included the original doorway from the burned house.
When Sir Iain died in 1985, the chiefship went back to Miss Moncreiffe. After she passed away, the chiefship went to Sir Iain's younger son, Peregrine Moncreiffe. His older brother had taken a different family name.
Clan Profile
- Gaelic Name: Monadh Craoibhe
- Motto: Sur Esperance (Upon hope)
- Badge: Oak
- Lands: Perthshire
- Origin of Name: From the Gaelic words Monadh Craoibhe, meaning "The Hill of the Sacred Bough."
Clan Branches and Spellings
The Moncreiffe clan has several important branches, also called septs. These are families that are part of the larger clan.
- Moncreiffe of Moncreiffe: This is the main branch, where the chiefs come from.
- Moncreiff of Tulliebole: This branch started when Rev. Archibald Moncreiff married Catherine Halliday in 1722. She was the heir to Tulliebole Castle.
- Moncrieff of Bandirran
- Scott-Moncreiff
- Moncreiff of Kinmonth
You might see the Clan Moncreiffe name spelled in different ways, like: Moncreiffe, Moncrieffe, Moncrieff, Moncreiff, Moncrief, MonCrief, Montcrieff, Mancrief, and Muncrief.
The Scott-Moncrief family is a branch of the Moncrieffs of Bandirran.
See also
- Baron Moncreiff
- Moncreiffe baronets
