Clan Walkinshaw facts for kids

This is a crest badge that members of Clan Walkinshaw can wear.

Clan Walkinshaw is a Scottish family group, also known as a clan. Today, they do not have a recognized leader, called a "chief." This means the clan is considered an armigerous clan. An armigerous clan is a group that once had a chief with a special family crest, but no one holds that position now.

What's in a Name?

The name Walkinshaw comes from a place called Walkinshaw in Renfrewshire, Scotland. This type of name is called a habitational name, meaning it comes from a place where someone lived or owned land. The name probably comes from old Scottish words: wealcere, which means "fuller" (someone who cleans and thickens cloth), and sceaga, which means "copse" (a small group of trees).

The Clan's Story

Clan Walkinshaw's story begins with a person named Douglas. He was a judge in the area known as the earldom of Lennox. In 1235, he traded his lands of Knock and the Abbey of Paisley for the lands of Walkinshaw. This is how the family got their name and their land.

Foresters of Renfrew

Members of the Walkinshaw clan became the official foresters for the High Stewards of Scotland in the area of Renfrew. This job was passed down through their family for many years. Their family crest actually shows symbols related to this important role as foresters.

Family Lands and Branches

The main Walkinshaw family owned their lands for a long time. Eventually, the lands passed to a female heir. Through her, the lands went to another branch of the family, the Walkinshaws of Little Fulwood. Later, the lands were passed to the Walkinshaws of Garturk. This family then called themselves "of that Ilk", which means they were the main family of the Walkinshaw name.

Other smaller family groups, called cadet branches, also came from Clan Walkinshaw. These included the Walkinshaws of Burrowfield and the Walkinshaws of Scotston.

Wearing the Crest

Today, if you are a member of Clan Walkinshaw, you can wear a special crest badge. This badge is based on the heraldry (family symbols) from the arms of the Walkinshaws of that Ilk. The main symbol on the crest badge is a martlet, which is a small bird without feet, often shown in family crests. The clan's motto, which is a short saying, is IN SEASON.

See also

• Walkinshaw, for people named Walkinshaw.