Clan Carnegie

Crest badge suitable to be worn by members of Clan Carnegie.

Clan Carnegie is a Lowland Scottish clan

History

Origins of the clan

The Carnegies took their name from the area around Carmyllie, Angus. The family who adopted this name however, were originally known under an earlier adopted placename of Balinhard which is also in Angus.

The Balinhards can be found in records from 1230. In 1358 John of Balinhard was granted the lands and barony of Carnegie by Walter de Maule. He became John the 1st of Carnegie and lived until 1370. John Carnegie of that Ilk was his successor and a direct family line ran from him until 1530.

It was in 1409 that Duthac of Carnegie acquired part of the lands of Kinnaird and an important Carnegie line developed in this area.

16th century & Anglo Scottish Wars

In the 16th century during the Anglo Scottish Wars with England the Clan Chief John Carnegie of Kinnaird led the clan against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain.

The son of John Carnegie was called Robert who fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where he was captured and taken prisoner. When Robert was released he was knighted and made Scotland's ambassador to France in 1556. Robert was also the first of the Carnegies to claim that his ancestors were the cup bearers to the Kings of Scotland. This royal office is remembered in the family arms which bear an ancient cup.

17th century & Civil War

In 1616 Sir David Carnegie, 8th of Kinnaird, was made Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird. In 1633 he was created Earl of Southesk. The second Earl James was imprisoned by Oliver Cromwell for his Royalist beliefs. He was known as the ‘Black Earl’ because he reputedly learned magic at Padua.

James Carnegie, second Earl of Southesk, succeeded his father in 1658, although he was nearly killed in a duel with the Master of Gray in London in 1660. The younger son of the third Earl was not so fortunate in his duelling career and was killed in Paris in 1681 by William, son of the Duchess of Lauderdale. [1] [2]

18th century & Jacobite Uprisings

Descending from a younger son of the 1st Earl of Southesk was Sir James Carnegie of Pittarrow, the distinguished soldier. In 1663 this line was created Baronets of Nova Scotia. During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715, Lord Southesk and Glengarry worked closely in the Jacobite Army.

Clan tartan

The Carnegie tartan, based on the Glengarry tartan, was adopted in these times.

Clan Chief

His Grace James Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife, Earl of Southesk, Earl of Macduff, Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird, Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird and Leuchars, Baron Balinhard of Farnell, Baronet and Chief of the Name and Arms of Carnegie.^[1]

Clan seat

Elsick House.^[2]

See also

• Scottish clan
• Earl of Southesk

References

1. ^ burkes-peerage.net
2. ^ clanchiefs.org

External links

• http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/carnegi2.html

http://www.clancarnegie.org