Rodney Karr's Matriarchal (Mother's) Clan

Siol Mhorgan No Clann Aodh - The Mackays**

The Origin of this clan cannot be satisfactorily discovered, but traditionary notices have been collected which carries its descent to the aboriginal Gaelic inhabitants. The Norwegian Sagas mention their reputed ancestor as an Iarl a Norse term which would be used instead of the Celtic Maormór, applied to a person of great power and dignity, who had the government of a district. Several Scottish writers account this clan a branch of the Forbeses, with whom there is certainly a similarity of badge and armorial bearings. Morgan, son of Magnus, of Ma'nus, the undoubted ancestor of the Mackays, flourished from 1315 to 1325, and from him the clam has been called Siol Mhorgan, i.e. the race or offspring of Morgan, Donald, his son, married a daughter of Mac Nial of Gigha, and left a son named Aodh, a word so peculiarly Celtic as to have greatly puzzled orthographers, who anciently, were accustomed to use the letter Y as best indicating the sound; but Aodh, when occurring as a Christian name, is, from some fancied resemblance, transformed into Hugh. It is from his son, Donald Mac Aoidh, that the clan has acquired the patronymic Mackay according to the present mode of spelling. Angus dub, or dark complexioned, is the first chief mentioned in written record; he opposed Donald of the Isles when marching towards the South of Scotland in prosecution of his clan the Earldom of Ross, and in the vain endeavor to arrest his progress at Dingwall, Mackay was defeated and taken prisoner, but, after a short confinement, he was released and the Lord of the Isles sought his alliance by giving him his daughter Elizabeth in marriage, with various lands, by charter 1415. In this document he is called "Angusis Eyg de Strathnaver," which was then the chief seat, but subsequently the whole property got the general appellation of the Rea country.

Origin of Name: Gaelic MacAoidh (son of fire). Plant Badge: Great balrush. War Cry: Bratach Bhan Chlann Aoidh (The White Banner of MacKay). Pipe Music: MacKay's March.

The Mackays were at this time very powerful, and Angus du', who had a following of 4,000 men, kept that part of the kingdom in agitation with frequent military expeditions. King James I, coming to Inverness resolved to curb so powerful a subject, and contrived to arrest the refractory chief and his four sons, one of whom was accepted as a hostage for the peaceable conduct of his father who was then liberated; but next year, 1427, he was treacherously killed when searching for the bodies of some relations who had fallen in a desperate clan battle near his castle of Tong. The Mackays were involved in almost continual disputes with their neighbors, and the most afflicting hardships and bloodshed occurred on both sides. They were too powerful and jealous to brook aggression or insult from the Earls of Sutherland and Caithness, who were very ambitious to elevate themselves, and depress this indomitable clan. The inhabitants of Caithness under one or another leader, were prone to make inroads upon the Rea country; and it may give an idea of the state of vigilance in which the people must have been kept by their enemies, to mention that, besides petty slaughters, they fought ten pitched battles from the field of Tuttumtarmbich, in 1406, to that of Gar-uarraí', in 1555.

The Mackays were early and zealous promoters of the Reformation; and Donald who was chief in the beginning of the 17th century, raised a body of 3,000 men of his own clan, the Gunns, Munros, Sinclairs, and others, to battle for the Protestant cause; fifteen hundred of these he selected, and sent under the command of Col. Robert Munro, to the assistance of the king of Bohemia; but on his death, which soon after took place, they entered the service of Gustavus, king of Sweden, and performed such deeds of valour as drew forth the frequent and warm applause of that heroic monarch and his general officers* Donald subsequently went over himself with a reinforcement, and on his return, after the death of Gustavus, he became of great service to Charles I, and, as a reward for his loyalty, he was raised to the peerage by the title of "Lord Reay".

Although thus enobled by the Stewarts, the Mackays strenuously contended for the Protestant succession, and it was Hugh Mackay of Scourie who commanded troops of William of Orange against the Highlanders under Dundee at Killiecrankie, in 1689. In 1715 they were also in arms for King George I, and were of great service in keeping the adverse clans in check, and preserving the castle and town of Inverness from the adherents of King James. In 1745 they were equally active on the same side, having 800 men under arms, and gave much annoyance to those around them who were favourable to the cause of Prince Charles.

In 1795 the Reay Fencible regiment, or Mackay Highlanders, were embodied, and their services being extended to Ireland, they were hotly engaged with the rebels, whose signal defeat at the hill of Tara was accomplished by this regiment in gallant style.

Mackay was the last Highland chief who held his lands, as allodial territory, for it was not until the year 1499 that a feudal charter was thought necessary to secure its possession. The present Right Hon. Eric, Lord Reay, having no male issue, the chiefship will devolve on the elder of his two brothers, the Hon. Major Alexander Mackay, or his surviving son; failing these, the title would go to a family in Holland. Mackay, of Auchness, is accounted chief presumptive, on failure of the direct line.

[Mackay Coat of Armor Graphic] Pg 124

The COAT ARMOUR is az. a chevron arg. Charged with a rea buck's head in point, and two grasping dirks, inclined towards it, all proper. Crest, a right hand holding a dagger in pale, proper. Supporters, two soldiers as sentinels, in the dress worn by the clan regiment in the great civil war. Motto, "Manu forte".


[Mackay warrior's picture] Pg 125

The SUAICHEANTAS, or badge, is Bealuidh, Broom, Spartium Scorparium. The PROBARIEACHDAN are Brattach bhan Chlann Aoidh, or the Mackays white banner, which is the salute. Donald Duagal Mhic Aoidh, Iseabel Nic Aoidh and Ban Tighearn Mhic Aoidh and Cumbadh Strath h-Alldail, are laments for the chief, his lady, his daughter, and Mackay of Strath Alladail.

The figure wears a flat bonnet, on which the clan badge is displayed, and an eagle's feather. The doublet, or jacket, is of a strong cloth formerly much worn, to which a dull red colour was imparted by a native dye. This is the first instance on which the Feilebeag is given without a plaid, a manner of dressing by no means uncommon' indeed, a simple covering for the lower portion of the body, by wrapping around he loins a piece of some material, was evidently the primitive garb of all nations, and the kilt is, therefore, the oldest, as it is the most characteristic relic of the Highland costume. The tartan is that recognized as peculiar to the Clan Aodh; and the hose and garters do not differ from many already introduced; the brogs are similar in form to those painted in the figure, illustrative of the Chisholms, buat are molach or of hide, from which the hair is not removed; the sword and target are of the forms in common use among the Highlanders.

* An interesting account of "Munroe's Expedition with the Scots regiment, Mac Keyes," was published in folio, 1637, -now a very scarce book.
** From: McIan, R.R. (1980) The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher, New York.