MacHeths facts for kids
The MacHeths were a powerful family group in Scotland long ago. They were known for starting several rebellions against the Scottish kings in the 1100s and 1200s. People have wondered about their family history for a long time.
Who Were the MacHeths?
One of the biggest questions about the MacHeths is where they came from. The main puzzle is about Máel Coluim MacHeth, who was the first known person in this family. Today, many historians believe Máel Coluim was the son of a man named Beth (also called Áed or Eth). Beth was a powerful leader, known as the Mormaer of Ross, a region in northern Scotland. He was mentioned in important documents during the early rule of King David I.
Some older ideas suggested that Máel Coluim MacHeth was the same person as Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair. This other Máel Coluim was an illegitimate son of King Alexander I. However, most experts now agree they were two different people.
Even if Máel Coluim MacHeth was the son of Áed of Ross, it still leaves questions about the family's background and why they claimed power. Most people think they came from Ross and wanted to rule that area. Some also believe they were related to the Scottish royal family, perhaps through Domnall, a son of King Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, who died in 1085.
Key People in the MacHeth Story
Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair
Máel Coluim, who is now thought to be King Alexander's son and not a MacHeth, first appears in records around 1124. A writer named Orderic Vitalis wrote about him:
But Máel Coluim, base-born son of Alexander, affected to snatch the kingdom from his uncle [David], and fought against him two sufficiently fierce battles. But David, who was loftier in understanding and in power and wealth, conquered him and his followers.
This means Máel Coluim, who was a son born outside of marriage, tried to take the kingdom from his uncle, King David. He fought two big battles against David. But King David was smarter, stronger, and richer, so he defeated Máel Coluim and his supporters.
It's not clear if this Máel Coluim, the king's son, married the sister of Somerled, a powerful leader from Argyll. If he did, it would have been before he was captured and put in prison in 1134. He was held at a place called Roxburgh and was still there in 1156. His son was also captured later that year and imprisoned with him.
Máel Coluim MacHeth
If we agree that Máel Coluim MacHeth and King Alexander's son were different people, then Máel Coluim MacHeth shows up in history in 1157. At that time, he made peace with King Malcolm IV. It seems he was given back his leadership role as Mormaer of Ross. He held this position until he died around 1168.
Domnall MacHeth
The story of Domnall MacHeth depends on whether Máel Coluim MacHeth was the one imprisoned at Roxburgh and married Somerled's sister. If that's true, then Domnall was part of a rebellion early in King Malcolm IV's rule. He was captured in 1156 and might have been set free in 1157 when his father was restored as Mormaer of Ross.
Adam mac Domnaill
In 1186, a man named Adam, son of Domnall, who was called "the king's outlaw," was killed. He was killed by Máel Coluim, the Mormaer of Atholl, inside a church at Cupar. The church was then burned down with 58 of Adam's friends inside. It's possible this Adam mac Domnaill was a son of Domnall mac Uilleim. However, we are not completely sure who he was. Some records might even call him Áed mac Domnaill. It's possible he should be counted as one of the MacHeths.
Kenneth MacHeth
Just like another family called the Meic Uilleim, the MacHeths seem to disappear from history around the year 1200. It might be that there were no adult male MacHeths left to claim their rights to Ross, or perhaps the historical records are just missing information. This was also a time when Harald Maddadsson, the powerful Earl of Orkney, was the main threat to the Scottish Kings in the north.
The next, and last, MacHeth mentioned in history was Kenneth (or Cináed). In 1215, shortly after King William died, Kenneth joined with Domnall Bán mac Uilleim and an unnamed Irish prince. They invaded Ross. However, this invasion was not a big threat to the new king, Alexander II. It was defeated by Ferchar mac in tSagairt, who would later become the Mormaer of Ross. Ferchar killed the leaders and sent their heads to King Alexander. After this, the MacHeth family's claims to Ross seem to have ended for good.
The leaders of the Highland Clan Ross were direct descendants of Ferchar mac in tSagairt, the Mormaer of Ross. Also, one historian believes that the leaders of the Highland Clan Mackay were probably direct descendants of Kenneth MacHeth. The two clans later fought against each other in the 1400s.
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