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Clan Henderson

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"Hendersons" redirects here. For other uses, seeHenderson.

Clan Henderson/MacEanruig
Mac Eanruig[1]
MottoSola virtus nobilitat
(Virtue alone ennobles)[1]
War cryThe Hendersons are here!
Profile
RegionLowlands&Highlands
DistrictScottish Borders,Glen Coe,[1]&Caithness[1]
Plant badgeCotton grass[1]
Chief
Alistair Donald Henderson of Fordell[1]
Historic seatFordell Castle[2]
Clan branches

Henderson of Fordell (clan chiefs)
Henderson of Inverkeithing
Henderson of Cramond
Henderson of Glencoe
Henderson of Caithness
Henderson of the Shetlands
Henderson of Liddesdale
Henderson of Ulster Plantation
Henderson of Buscot Park

TheClan Henderson(Clann Eanruig) also known as House of Henderson is aScottish clan.[3]The clan's historical seat is atFordell CastleinDalgety Bay,Fife.The current clan chief is Alistair Henderson of Fordell.

History[edit]

Origins[edit]

There are multiple origins for the Scottishpatrynomicsurname of Henderson, meaning "son of Henry" or "son of Hendry", with three being the most well-known.[3]The Hendersons who lived in theScottish Borderswere often found in the variant of Henryson.[3]Although these Hendersons were not a significant power in the Borders they were still classed as a riding clan.[3]Henryson was a common name in the 14th century and beyond.[4]Notable documented individuals include: 1373-1377, William Henryeson was chamberlain ofLochmaben Castle;[3][4]John Henryson was burgess ofEdinburghc. 1387-1395.[4]

There were also Hendersons who wereseptsof theClan MacDonald of Glencoeand septs of theClan Gunnin the far north of the country.[3]There is no known connection between the Hendersons of Clan Gunn and Clan MacDonald or the Hendersons of the Scottish Borders.[3]

16th century[edit]

The clan spread fromDumfrieshiretoLiddesdale,however they do not appear in the list of border clans that were named by Parliament in 1594, when it was attempting to suppress theBorder Reivers.[3]From the Dumfrieshire family of Hendersons descended James Henderson or Henryson who becameLord Advocatein about 1494.[3][4]He was later appointed to theBench.[3]From 1510-1512, he acquired lands in Fordell,Fifeincluding the original tower ofFordell Castle.[3]Fordell became the designation of the Lowland Henderson chiefs and it is from them that the present chiefs are descended.[3]He was killed at theBattle of Floddenin 1513.[3]

17th century and civil war[edit]

One of the most prominent of the Clan Henderson wasAlexander Hendersonof Fordell who was born in about 1583.[3]He was educated at theUniversity of St Andrewswhere he became a Master of Arts and a Professor of Philosophy before 1611.[3]He later became the minister of the parish ofLeucharsand was violently opposed toCharles I's attempts to reform theChurch of Scotland.[3]He was especially opposed to thenew prayer bookand travelled toEdinburghwhere he presented a petition to thePrivy Council,stating that the book had not received the sanction of theGeneral Assembly of the Church of Scotlandor the Parliament.[3]Henderson and Johnston of Warriston together drafted theNational Covenantwhich was first sworn and subscribed inGreyfriars Kirkin Edinburgh.[3]Henderson was unanimously elected moderator of the General Assembly inGlasgowin 1638 and was therefore at the forefront of church politics during the troubled reign of Charles I.[3]Henderson was also responsible for drafting theSolemn League and Covenantin 1643.[3]When the king sundered himself to the Scottish army it was to Henderson that he sent to discuss with his disaffected subjects.[3]Henderson met with the king but failed in his attempts to make him accede to the Church's demands.[3]Henderson died due to ill health in August 1646 and was buried in Greyfriars church yard, the scene of his greatest triumph and where there is a monument to him.[3]

Meanwhile,John Henderson, 5th of Fordellfought as a staunch royalist for the king during theScottish Civil War.[5][6]

Hendersons of Glencoe[edit]

The Hendersons ofGlen Coe,in the Highlands, take the English version of their name from the GaelicMacEanruig,claiming descent from aPictishprince, Eanruig Mor Mac Righ Neachtain, orbig Henry son of King Neachtain.Neachtain (Nechtan mac Der-Ilei) is said to have reigned between 700 and 724.[3]It is not known when the Hendersons came to Glen Coe but it is said Dougall MacHenry, the last of their chiefs in the direct line, fathered an heiress, who according to tradition had a son by her loverAonghus Óg of Islay,and that their son was Ian (John) Fraoch.[3][7]Ian Fraoch's son was Iain Abrach whose patronymic was MacIain and that became the designation of the chiefs of theMacDonalds of Glencoe.[3]The Hendersons were the hereditary pipers and armor-bearers of the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe.[3][8]

TheHenderson Stone--Clach Eanruigin Gaelic—is a granite boulder in a field a little south of Carnach in theGlencoearea.[9][10]Historic tradition in the area includes two separate stories involving the Henderson Stone and a warning from a Campbell soldier of the impendingmassacre of 1692.One version of the story involves a soldier speaking a warning to the stone, in the presence of a local resident: "Great stone in the Glen, though you have every right to be there, if you knew what was to happen tonight you would not stay there on any account."[11]The other version involves a Campbell piper playing a song at the stone, meant as a warning to the residents.[12]Tradition has it that the local who heard the cryptic message escaped, but was unable to warn many others.[13]

In 1692 when theMassacre of Glencoetook place, it is said that the chief's personal attendant and piper, Big Henderson of the Chanters, was among those killed.[3]

Hendersons of Caithness[edit]

Another group of Hendersons originated inCaithnessin the far north of theScottish Highlands.[3]In the late 15th century, a family difference led Henry Gunn, youngest son of theClan Gunnchief, to branch off, forming the Henderson family line in Caithness.[14]

Chief[edit]

TheChiefof Clan Henderson isAlistair Donald Henderson of Fordell, anenvironmental engineerspecialising in air pollution control who lives inBrisbane, Queensland,Australia.The Chief is recognised byLord Lyon, King of Arms,and is a member of theStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs.[15]

Fordell Castle

Clan Castles[edit]

  • Fordell Castlewhich is about one mile north ofInverkeithinginFifewas held by the Hendersons for over 300 years.[2]It is not known when the original castle structure was constructed, but the main entrance tower is believed to date from the 1400s. James Henderson, 3rd of Fordell, started to extend the castle in 1566.[16]The castle burned in 1568.[17]During the Civil War of the seventeenth century the castle was sacked by the forces ofOliver Cromwellafter theBattle of Inverkeithingin 1651, after which troops were garrisoned at the castle and mill.[2][18]The castle later passed by marriage to the Duncans of Camperdown.[2]
  • Otterston Tower is close to Fordell, about two miles west of Aberdour.[2]It is an L-plan tower house although a mansion was later added and remodelled.[2]It was held by the Hendersons in the early sixteenth century and it was they who built the tower, however it had passed to the Mowbrays of Barnbougle by 1589.[2]
  • Broomhill House to the south of Edinburgh was held by the Hendersons between 1508 and 1648.[2]However a castle followed by a mansion have since been demolished.[2]The lands later passed to the Bairds of Newbyth and then to theTrotters of Mortonhall.[2]
Otterston Castle, 1850 sketch by Mr. Lyon

Septs[edit]

Septsand surname variations of the Clan Henderson include:

Gaelic variations:

  • MacEanrig / Eanrig
  • MacEnrig / Enrig
  • MacIanruig / Ianruig
  • MacIanrig / Ianrig
  • MacInrig / Inrig
  • MacCanruig / Canruig
  • MacCanrig / Canrig

Latin variations:

  • (filius) Henrici
  • Henrisoun / Henrisone

Anglicised variations:

  • (Mac) Anrig / Andrig /An(d)rigson
  • (Mac) Enrig / Endrig / Endrigson
  • (Mac) Henrig / Hendrig / Hendrigson
  • (Mac) Kenrig / Kendrig / Kendrigson
  • (Mac) Kanrig / Kandrig / Kandrigson
  • (Mac) Canrig / Candrig / Candrigson
  • (Mac) Anri(c)k / Andri(c)k / An(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Enri(c)k / Endri(c)k / En(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Henri(c)k / Hendri(c)k / Hen(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Kenri(c)k / Kendri(c)k / Ken(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Kanri(c)k / Kandri(c)k / Kan(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Canri(c)k / Candri(c)k / Can(d)ri(c)kson
  • (Mac) Anry / Andry / An(d)ryson
  • (Mac) Henry / Hendry / Hen(d)ryson / Hen(d)rysoun
  • (Mac) Kenry / Kendry / Ken(d)ryson
  • (Mac) Anrie / Andrie /An(d)rieson
  • (Mac) Henrie / Hendrie /Hen(d)rieson/Hen(d)riesoun
  • (Mac) Kenrie / Kendrie /Ken(d)rieson
  • (Mac) Anree / Andree /An(d)reeson
  • (Mac) Henree / Hendree /Hen(d)reeson
  • (Mac) Kenree / Kendree /Ken(d)reeson
  • End(h)erson
  • Henderson
  • Hendron
  • Hendren
  • Henders
  • Hendry
  • Henerson

The surname spelling variations arose from regional pronunciation differences, and sometimes perversely creative spelling.[19]Some individuals used multiple surname spellings, and sometimes different surname forms. For example, a traveling Henderson might use the surname MacEanruig in theScottish Highlands,Henderson in theLowlands,McHenry inUlster,and Henry inEngland.

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^abcdefClan Henderson Profilescotclans. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  2. ^abcdefghijCoventry, Martin. (2008).Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans.pp. 270.ISBN978-1-899874-36-1.
  3. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacWay, George and Squire, Romily. (1994).Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia.(Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, TheStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 166 - 167.
  4. ^abcdLaing, David (1865)The Poems and Fables of Robert Henrysonat xlvi-xlvii, xxxvii-xl (Appendix No. 1: List of Persons of the Name of Henryson, from the Middle of the Fourteenth to the End of the Fifteenth Century).
  5. ^"English Civil War - Newark besieged".Historia - A collection of coins with their historical context.Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2014.Retrieved10 April2012.Sir John Digby, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, had seized Newark on behalf of Charles I in late 1642. He was assisted by Sir John Henderson, a Scottish soldier, who it was felt would bring military expertise to the Royalists cause. Henderson was appointed Governor of Newark.
  6. ^Bennett, Martyn (20 July 2008)."Structural - Standing buildings".The English Civil War.Nottingham:Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire.Retrieved10 April2012.The Governor's House, Newark: this building was where the governors of the town lived and worked Colonel Sir John Henderson 1642-3, Colonel Sir Richard Byron, 1643-4, Colonel Sir Richard Willys 1644-5 and Colonel John Lord Belasyse, 1645-6.
  7. ^Donaldson, M.E.M. (2nd ed., 1923)Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islandsp. 289 n.7 ( "The Macdonalds of Glencoe were more usually called the MacIains, or Clan Iain Abrach (of Lachaber), their progenitor beingIain Og an Fhraoich,or young John of the Heather, hence his race became the 'Sons of John.' This 'young John' was a son of Angus, Lord of the Isles, by the daughter of one Dugald MacEanruig (hence Henderson) of Glencoe, which thus became a Macdonald possession....” );Gregory, Donald(1836)History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotlandpp. 66-67 ( “The founder of this tribe was John, surnameFraoch,natural son of Angus Og of Isla, and brother of John, first Lord of the Isles. His mother is said to have been a daughter of Dougald MacHenry, then the leading man in Glencoe, where John Fraoch afterwards settled as a vassal, under his brother, the Lord of the Isles, and where his descendants yet remain.” ); Macdonald, Hugh (1847) “Fragment of a Manuscript History of the Macdonalds. Written in the Reign of Charles II.”Collectanea de Rebus Albanicispp. 282, 296 ( “Angus Ogg of the Isles… had a natural son, John, by Dougall MacHenry’s daughter, she being her father’s only child. This John by his mother enjoyed the lands of Glencoe, of whom descended the race of the Macdonalds.” ).
  8. ^Prebble, John(1966)Glencoe: The Story of the Massacre(ISBN9780140028973) p. 39;Donaldson (1923)p. 298; McKean, Fred. G. (1906)McKean Historical Notespp. 111, 224.
  9. ^Ordnance Survey, Six-inch, Argyllshire, Sheet XXXI ( survey date 1870, published 1875), available athttps://maps.nls.uk/view/74427313;Argyll Ordnance Survey Name Book, Argyll vol. 49p. 19 (1868-1878) (Clach Eanruig:“This well known name is applied to a granite boulder about 3 ½ feet in height, situated in a field a little south of Carnach, and deriving this appellation from the tradition that one of the soldiers named Henderson or Henry, billeted with a family in the above village, took one of its members to this stone, the night previous to the Massacre (of Glencoe (1692), and addressing it, gave warning of the approaching danger, his companion understanding, saved himself by instant flight. Sign ‘Henry’s Stone’” ).
  10. ^“MHG36 – Henderson Stone (Clach Eanruig), Glencoe,”Highland Historic Environment Record; Canmore ID 74223, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, available atcanmore.org.uk/site/74223.
  11. ^Dorson, Richard"Sources for the Traditional History of the Scottish Highlands and Western Islands" inJournal of the Folklore Institute(Aug 1, 1971) vol 8(2), p 147, 156, 159 (quoting John Alexander Stewart Wilson (SA 1959/59 A2,3)); see also Wilson, Ginger “Saighdear a thug rabhadh do chlach ro Mhurt Ghleann Comhan”(1959) Track ID: 34418 - Original Tape ID: SA1959.059,tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/34418/1;Lang, Andrew(1907)History of Scotlandvol. 4 pp. 44-45; Campbell, Duncan “Haidheachd mu shaighdear a dh'fheuch ri rabhadh a thoirt do...”(1953) Track ID: 5979 - Original Tape ID: SA1953.077,http:// tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/5979/1;Livingstone, Sandy “Fiosrachadh mu Chlach Eanraig an Gleanna Comhan”(1958) Track ID: 38821 - Original Tape ID: SA1958.081,tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/38821/1;MacInnes, Duncan “Fiosrachadh mu Chlach Eanraig agus Mort Ghleanna Comhan”(1958) Track ID: 68111 - Original Tape ID: SA1958.082,tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/68111/1.
  12. ^Prebbleat 208; MacDonald, Rev. Norman “A Mhnathan a' Ghlinne Seo”(1956) Track ID: 70433 - Original Tape ID: SA1956.054,tobarandualchais.co.uk/fullrecord/70433/1;Donaldsonat 297.
  13. ^Argyll Ordnance Survey Name Book;Wilson (SA1959.059); MacInnes (SA1958.082); MacDonald (SA1959.24.B9);Langat 45.
  14. ^See Gunn, Robert R. (1925)The Gunnsp. 42, 52; Henderson, John (1884)Caithness Family Historyp. 283.
  15. ^"Chief or Representative List".The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2020.Retrieved17 May2020.
  16. ^SeeLaing (1865)p. xli; Gifford, John (1992)Buildings of Scotland: Fifep. 226.
  17. ^"Diary of Robert Birrel" p.16in Dalyell, John Graham (1798)Fragments of Scotish History( "The 3 day of Junii [1568], being Thursday, James Hendersone of Fordell has hes place of Fordell brunt by ane suddaine fyre, both the old worke and the new." ).
  18. ^Simpkins, John Ewart (1914)County Folk-Lore, vol. VIIp. 45 (citing Buckner, J.C.R. (1881)Rambles In and Around Aberdour and Burntislandp. 53).
  19. ^See Chalmers, George, (1824) "Preface" toRobene and Makyne, and the Testament of Cresseid, by Robert Henryson"p. xi n.12 (" In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the name was variously written, Henrison, Henrisoun, Henryson, Hendrison, and Henderson, which last became the established form ").

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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