Clan Strange facts for kids

Clan Strange, also known as Clan Strang, is a Scottish clan from the Lowlands. A "clan" is like a big family group, often sharing a last name and a history. This clan has a long and interesting past in Scotland.

History of Clan Strange

Where the Clan Name Came From

The name Strange often appears as Strang. It probably comes from an old French word, etrange. This word means 'foreign'. So, the first people with this name might have been seen as outsiders. The 'Strang' spelling might also come from a Scottish word for 'strong'.

One of the earliest records is from around 1255. A person named Home le Estraunge worked for the Scottish king. Later, around 1340, Thomas de Strang owned land near Aberdeen. Around 1362, John Strang married Cecilia. She was the sister of Richard Anstruther. As part of their marriage, John Strang received some land. This land was in a place called Balcaskie.

The 1400s and 1500s

William Strang of Balcaskie is mentioned in old papers from around 1466. In 1482, John Strang of Balcaskie received an official document. This document confirmed his ownership of lands called Ewingston.

A different John Strang of Balcaskie was a brave warrior. He was killed in a big battle called the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.

The 1600s and 1700s

In 1615, John Strang of Balcaskie sold his family estate. He then became a colonel, a high-ranking officer. He joined a Scottish army group called Cochrane's Scots Regiment.

A famous artist named Sir Robert Strange came from a younger branch of the Balcaskie family. His family had moved to Orkney during a time of big changes in Scotland. Robert was supposed to study law. But instead, he went to sea on a warship. When he came back, he started learning the art of engraving. Engraving is a way of making pictures by carving them into metal.

The Jacobite Risings

Sir Robert Strange played a part in Scottish history. In 1745, he joined Charles Edward Stuart's special guards. This was when Stuart's army entered Edinburgh. Stuart was trying to become king of Scotland and England. This time was known as the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Strange served in the guards until 1746. This was after a defeat at the Battle of Culloden. After the battle, he had to hide for several months. He was a fugitive in the Scottish Highlands. He later returned to Edinburgh quietly. In 1751, he moved to London. There, his engravings started to get a lot of praise. He traveled to Italy in 1760. Sir Robert Strange died in 1792. He is remembered as a very important person in the art of historical engraving.

Clan Strange Today

In February 1995, Major Timothy Strange of Balcaskie was officially recognized. He was confirmed as the Chief of the Clan Strange by the Lord Lyon. The Lord Lyon is the official who deals with Scottish coats of arms and clan chiefs.

Clan Castles

Balcaskie is a historic place in Fife. It was once the home of John Strang, who died in the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547. The property later changed hands many times. It went to the Moncreiffs in 1615, then to Sir William Bruce in 1665, and finally to the Anstruthers in 1698. Much of the original inside of the building from the Strangs' time is still there. However, the castle has been changed and made bigger over the years.

Clan Symbols

• Motto: The clan has two mottos. One is Dulce quod utile, which means 'That which is useful is sweet'. The other is Stet fortuna domus, meaning 'The good fortune of the house stands'.
• Arms: The clan's coat of arms shows a silver shield. On it, there is a black chevron (a V-shape) between three black diamond shapes.
• Crest: The crest has two parts. One shows a bunch of grapes. The other shows a castle.

See also

• Scottish clan