RAMSAY
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A family od ancient Anglo-Norman origin; the first recorded in Scotland was Simonde Ramsay, who was granted lands in Lothian by David I. Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian, was owned by the Ramsays from the 13th century, but is now a hotel. Through marriage with the de Maule family, the Earls of Dalhousie acquired brechin Castle in Angus.
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RATTRAY
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A follower but not a sept of the Murrays of Atholl. The family descends from Adam de Rattrieff, who lived in the 13th century. Their ancient seat is at Craighall, Blairgowrie, in Perthshire.
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ROBERTSON
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Duncan or Donnachaidh Reamhair, who led the clan for Robert bruce at Bannockburn, was descended from the Celtic Earls of Atholl. From a later Chief, Robert , in the reign of James I, comes the name Robertson. The Robertsons rallied to the Stuart banner for the Marquess of Montrose and in the Jacobite risings. The clan seat was at Dunalastair in Kinloch Rannoch and the Rannoch Barracks built by Hanovarian troops around 1751, was intended to control Clan Robertson.
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ROLLO
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Sir Andrew Rollo was created Baron Rollo of Dncrub in 1651. Robert, 4th Baron, supported the Old Pretender in 1715, but surrendered. The 5th Baron served as a brigadier-General in the American war of Independence.
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ROSE
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The family of Rose of Kilravock settled in Nairn in the reign of King David I. Kilravock Castle, Nairn, was built in 1460 by Hugh Rose of Kilravock. It was added to in the 17th century and Prince Charles Edward Stuart was entertained here before the Battle of Culloden in 1745- while the Duke of Cumberland slept in a town house in Nairn.
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ROSS
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Said to be of Norman origin, but probably descended from Gilleon nah-airde, ancestor of Anrias, whose descendant Fearcher MacinTagart, Earl of Ross, helped crush a rebellion for the Crown in 1215. For his services he was knighted and recognised as Earl of Ross in 1234.
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RUSSELL
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A name allied to the French Rosel. The Russells of Aden in Aberdeenshire descend from an English baron who accompanied Edward III of England at the siege of Berwick and decided to settle in Scotland. Jerome Russell, a Greyfriars priest, was burned with John Kennedy for heresy in Glasgow in 1539.
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RUTHVEN
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From the old barony of the name in Angus. in 1488 Sir William Ruthven of that ilk was created Lord Ruthven. His grandson, who married the heiress of the Haliburtons of Dirleton in East Lothian, was chosen Provost of Perth by royal command in 1528. Patrick Ruthven was one of the lords involved in the murder of David Rizzio, secretary to Mary,Queen of Scots. His son was rewarded for services to James VI by being created 1st Earl of Gowrie.
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SCOTT
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This is a border clan descended from Uchtredus filius Scoti, who lived in the 12th century. His two sons were Richard, the ancestor of the Scotts of Buccleuch, and Sir Michael, the ancestor of the Scotts of Balweary. The lordship of Scott of Buccleuch was created in 1606, and the earldom in 1619. The Scotts were at their greatest as a border clan in the 16th century. They could produce 600 men in a battle and had their bhold at branxholm Castle near Hawick.
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SCRIMGEOUR
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The name is recorded in the 13th century in connection with lands in Fife. Two documents issued in 1298 confirm lands on behalf of the Crown and Realm of Scotland by William Wallace and Robert bruce. These confirm to Alexander Schyrmeschur, son of Colin, son of Carun, the perilous but honourable privilege of carrying the kings banner in war, the office of Constable of the Castle of Dundee, and certain lands in the Dundee neighbourhood. Later grants were made of lands near Inverkeithing, and lands were aquired through marriage to heiress of Glassary.
John Scrymgeour was created Viscount Dudhope in 1641. John 3rd Viscount, who was at the battle of Worcester in 1650 was created a1st Earl of Dundee in 1660.
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SETON
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William the Lion gave a charter to Philip de Seton in 1169 of the lands of Seton, winton and Winchburgh. Further lands were granted to Sir Alexander Seton by Robert bruce in 1321. The Setons played a significant role in Scottish affairs and became Lords Setons, Earls of Dunfermline and Earls of Winton. At the same time they built many splendid residences for themselves: Seton Castle, rebuilt as Seton House by Robert Adam in 1790, where Mary,Queen of Scots fled after Rizzios murder; Winton Castle which is said to have been built in 1480 by the 1st Lord Seton, but destroyed by the English in 1544, and rebuilt in 1691 by the 8th Lord Seton and 3rd Earl of Winton.
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SHAW
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The Lowland surname is of territorial origin, and is recorded in the 13th century. The southern families of this name are found mostly in Kircudbrightshire, Ayrshire and Stirlingshire.The northern clan descends through Shaw, son of Gilchrist, grandson of the 6th Chief of Clan Mackintosh. He was granted lands in Rothiemurchus. The Shaws of Tordarroch, descendants of Adam, second son of Rothiemurchus, now hold the Chiefship.
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SINCLAIR
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Sir William Saint Clair, son of Robert de Saint Clair in Normandy, seemingly founded this clan. His son, Sir Henry de Sancto Claro, supported Robert bruce and signed the letter to the Pope in 1320, asserting Scotlands independent rights.
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SKENE
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It is said that the founder of this clan was offered by Malcolm Cnmore as much land as was covered by a hawk's flight, and thus was formed the barony of Skene. The Skenes of Skene became extinct in the 19th century with the death of the last male descendant. The lands of Skene and the part 18th century Skene Castle are located in the Gordon district of Aberdeenshire.
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STEWART
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The Royal House of Stewart, whose traditional descent was of old contrived to be from Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, has been historically traced to Alan, Seneschal of Dol, a Celtic noble. His nephew became Sheriff of Shropshire in England, and his third son became High Steward of Scotland in the reign of David I. He founded Paisley Abbey.
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STIRLING
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The name is taken from the town of that name, and the surname appears in the 12th century. Sir John Stirling of Moray is recorded as having sworn fealty in 1291. A family of the same name settled in the neighbourhood of Dunmaglass, Nairnshire. The Stirlings of Keir on the outskirts of Stirling were established in the 12th century.
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SUTHERLAND
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This name originates in Sutherland, the 'Southland'of the Norsemen of Caithness and Orkney. The inhabitants of Sutherland are considered to be descended from the Celts who retreated before the Norse invaders. The Chiefs originate from Freskin, progenitor of the Murrays. His youngest son, Hugh Freskin, received the lands of Sutherland from King William the Lion in 1197.
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TURNBULL
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For saving the life of Robert bruce when he was attacked by a wounded bull, one William of Rule was awarded lands and was thereafter known as Turn-e-bull. The Rule Water territory of the Turnbulls was a baronial possession of the House of Douglas. By 1510, the Turnbulls had become so scornful of the authority of James IV that he decided to make an example of them and 200 members of the family appeared before him wearing linen sheets, swords in hands and halters around their necks. Some were hanged others imprisoned.
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