Clan MacNaghten
Encyclopedia
Clan Macnaghten is a Scottish clan
who claim descent from the eighth century Pictish
king, Nechtan
.
. The name 'Nechten' which means "pure" or "clear" was popular in the Pictish royal line. The originator of the clan is believed to have been "Nechtan Mor" who lived in the 10th Century.
called Fraoch Eilean
, which name they used as a battle cry. Also in this century the sept MacNaught broke away from the main clan and moved to Galloway and Ayrshire although they kept a strong connection with the main clan for protection.
. As a result, the MacNaghtens forfeited many of their lands. Clan Macnaghten also fought against Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Dalrigh in 1306. The fortunes of the clan were restored, however, when King David II of Scotland
granted them lands in Lewis
. The MacNaughts were on Robert the Bruce's side because they lived in part of his lands.
the Clan Macnaghten led by Chief Alistair MacNaughten, who was knighted by King James IV of Scotland
fought at the Battle of Flodden Field
in 1513. However the Chief was killed during the course of the battle. The MacNaughts did not put their faith in the Stewarts and opted more for the freedom that the presbyterian church offered.
supporters. The MacNaghtens had a strong force and joined King James VII's general the Viscount Dundee and is said to have taken a leading part when the Clan Macnaghten were victorious at the Battle of Killiecrankie
in 1689. By this point the MacNaughts had a lot of septs such as MacKnight (which is the direct translation of the name into English), MacNeight, MacNett, MacNitt and MacNutt.
. Black John MacNaughten (known locally as Shane Dhubh) became The Earl of Antrim's Chief agent. Black John was buried in the family burial ground at Bonamargy Friary
near Ballycastle, County Antrim
.. The MacNaughts were also moved to Ulster.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
who claim descent from the eighth century Pictish
Picts
The Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...
king, Nechtan
Nechtan
Nechtan, Nectan or Neithon may refer to:Kings:* Nechtan Morbet , king of the Picts* Nechtan nepos Uerb , king of the Picts* Nechtan mac Der-Ilei , king of the Picts...
.
Origins of the clan
The earliest reference to the Clan Macnaghten is in connection with great Pictish rulers of MorayMoray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
. The name 'Nechten' which means "pure" or "clear" was popular in the Pictish royal line. The originator of the clan is believed to have been "Nechtan Mor" who lived in the 10th Century.
13th century Castle in Loch Awe
By the time of the Renaissance, Clan Macnaghten had developed four distinct branches, or "septs," each recognized by the Crown with its own coat of arms. The senior line, MacNauchtan of Argyll, is assumed to descend from Sir Gilchrist MacNauchtan, who was granted land in Argyll in the early 13th century by Alexander III, King of Scotland. Parchments from 1247 and 1267 bearing the seal of Sir Gilchrist MacNauchtan are among the oldest existing charters in Scotland. They took up residence on an island in Loch AweLoch Awe
Loch Awe is a large body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail.- The loch :It is the third largest freshwater loch in Scotland with...
called Fraoch Eilean
Fraoch Eilean, Loch Awe
Fraoch Eilean is a small island situated at the northern end of Loch Awe, a freshwater lake in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is notable for being the site of a medieval royal castle, now ruined, which was given into the keeping of Clan Macnaghten by Alexander III of Scotland in 1267.-Etymology:The...
, which name they used as a battle cry. Also in this century the sept MacNaught broke away from the main clan and moved to Galloway and Ayrshire although they kept a strong connection with the main clan for protection.
14th century and Robert the Bruce
During the 14th Century the MacNaghtens were opposed to Robert the Bruce and his claim to the throne of Scotland; however, he did eventually become King Robert I of ScotlandRobert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
. As a result, the MacNaghtens forfeited many of their lands. Clan Macnaghten also fought against Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Dalrigh in 1306. The fortunes of the clan were restored, however, when King David II of Scotland
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
granted them lands in Lewis
Lewis
Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is ....
. The MacNaughts were on Robert the Bruce's side because they lived in part of his lands.
16th century and Anglo Scottish Wars
In the sixteenth century during the Anglo-Scottish WarsAnglo-Scottish Wars
The Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century.After the Wars of Scottish Independence, England and Scotland had fought several times during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In most cases, one country had attempted to...
the Clan Macnaghten led by Chief Alistair MacNaughten, who was knighted by King James IV of Scotland
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
fought at the Battle of Flodden Field
Battle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
in 1513. However the Chief was killed during the course of the battle. The MacNaughts did not put their faith in the Stewarts and opted more for the freedom that the presbyterian church offered.
17th century and Civil War
In the 17th century during the Civil War Chief John MacNaghten and his clan were RoyalistCavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
supporters. The MacNaghtens had a strong force and joined King James VII's general the Viscount Dundee and is said to have taken a leading part when the Clan Macnaghten were victorious at the Battle of Killiecrankie
Battle of Killiecrankie
-References:*Reid, Stuart, The Battle of Kiellliecrankkie -External links:* *...
in 1689. By this point the MacNaughts had a lot of septs such as MacKnight (which is the direct translation of the name into English), MacNeight, MacNett, MacNitt and MacNutt.
Early 17th century and Ulster Plantation
The MacNaughtens were one of the families brought in by the McDonnells of the Glens of AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. Black John MacNaughten (known locally as Shane Dhubh) became The Earl of Antrim's Chief agent. Black John was buried in the family burial ground at Bonamargy Friary
Bonamargy Friary
Bonamargy Friary is situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, off the Cushendall Road on the approach to Ballycastle. The name Bonamargy means ‘foot of the Margy River’, the river formed by the joining of the Cary River and Shesk Rivers....
near Ballycastle, County Antrim
Ballycastle, County Antrim
Ballycastle is a small town in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Its population was 5,089 people in the 2001 Census. It is the seat and main settlement of Moyle District Council....
.. The MacNaughts were also moved to Ulster.
Clan profile
- Clan chief: Sir Malcolm MacNaghten of MacNaghten, Bt.
- Chief's MottoMottoA motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: I hoip in God. - Chief's SloganSlogan (heraldry)A slogan is used in Scottish heraldry as a heraldic motto or a secondary motto. It usually appears above the crest on a coat of arms, though sometimes it appears as a secondary motto beneath the shield...
& War Cry: "Fraoch Eilean" (The Heathery Isle). - Chief's CrestCrest (heraldry)A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
: A castle embattled, Gules. - Clan Badge: Trailing Azalea.
Historical forms of the name
Macnaghten, Macnauchtan, Macnachten, Macnaught, Macnaughtan, Macnaughtens, Macnaughton, MacnechtanOrigin of the name
- Gaelic name: Mac Neachdainn for "Son of NechtanNechtanNechtan, Nectan or Neithon may refer to:Kings:* Nechtan Morbet , king of the Picts* Nechtan nepos Uerb , king of the Picts* Nechtan mac Der-Ilei , king of the Picts...
"). - Gaelic Names: MacNeachdainn (Surname) & Clann 'icNeachdainn (Collective).
Clan seat
- DundaraveDundarave HouseDundarave is a country house in the village of Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is currently the home to the Macnaghten family which is the chiefly family of Clan Macnaghten....
(or "Dunderawe"), Bushmills, AntrimCounty AntrimCounty Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. - Dundarave CastleDundarave CastleDunderave Castle is an L-plan castle built in the 16th century as the Scottish seat of the MacNaughton clan. The castle lies on a small promontory on the northern shores of Loch Fyne, around north-east of Inveraray, Argyll. The castle is in use as a residence. The present castle was built after...
, Scottish seat in Argyll and Bute - Kilquhanty,Scottish seat of the MacNaughts of Kilquhanty
Septs of Clan Macnaghten
- Ayson
- (Mac)Coll
- (Mac)Cracken
- (Mac)Harry(ie)
- (Mac)Hendry
- (Mac)Henrie
- (Mac)Kendrick
- (Mac)Knight
- (Mac)Nair(y)
- (Mac)Naught
- (Mac)Neid
- (Mac)Natt
- (Mac)Nett
- (Mac)Nitt
- (Mac)Niven
- (Mac)Norton
- (Mac)Portland
- (Mac)Quake(r)
- (Mac)Rac(k)
- (Mac)Racken
- (Mac)Nutt
- (Mac)Vicar(s)
- (Mac)Vicker(s)
- Mannis(e)
- Porter
- Weir