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Clan MacFarlane (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacFarlane

Clan Motto: This I’ll Defend

Origin of Name: Son of Parland

Clan Badge: Cranberry

Lands: Loch Lomond, Tarbert, and Arrocher

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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MacFarlane Clan History

The MacFarlanes are descended from the Earl of Lennox, whose brother bestowed the lands at Arrochar, by Loch Long, on Iain MacPharlain in 1420. When James I executed Earl Duncan of Lennox, the MacFarlanes had a legitimate claim to the title, but it was given to the Stewarts by the crown. There was some disagreement at first, but they would remain loyal to the Stewarts.

During Mary, Queen of Scots' minority, the 13th chief was defeated by the English at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547.

They would, however, play a critical role in her defeat at the Battle of Langside in 1568. When Walter the 16th chief fought for Charles I under Montrose in 1645, they pledged their allegiance to the crown once more. During his invasion of Scotland, Oliver Cromwell planned to burn the MacFarlane seat at Inveruglas, Loch Lomond.

The 20th chief, Walter MacFarlane, was a noted antiquary and scholar who dedicated his life to research for his country. When he died without heirs in 1767, his brother planned to sell the Arrochar seat.

The direct male line died out in 1887, leaving the tribe without a chief.

MacFarlane Places & People

Clan MacFarlane Individuals

Duncan MacFarlane (died in 1547)

Fell, who was killed in the Battle of Pinkie, was among the first to embrace the new religion.

Walter MacFarlane died in 1767.

He dedicated his life to the study and preservation of records and documents, especially church records.

MacFarlane Tartans

MacFarlane the Elder

MacFarlane Contemporary

MacFarlane's Ancient Hunt

Modern MacFarlane Hunting

Black and White MacFarlane

MacFarlane Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacFarlane Crest

Coats of Arms of MacFarlane:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

That kind of MacFARLANE

Gules, a saltire engrailed on Argent, between four roses.

MacFarlane of that Ilk and Arrochar's Coat of Arms

A coat of arms was originally the design on a surcoat used to cover a man's armor in battle. As time passed, the coat of arms evolved into a design that was used on flags, jewelry, plates, and other items, and it was adopted and created by a variety of institutions, including universities and societies. Some European countries retain the authority to grant and regulate weapons. In Scotland, this is the Lord Lyon, King of Arms.

The Blazon (Description) of MacFarlane of that Ilk and Arrochar's Coat of Arms

Lord Lyon, King of Arms, describes a coat of arms in a consistent manner to ensure uniformity across all arms. First, the field (basic tincture of the shield); second, the principal charge(s) and their tincture; third, the helmet and its mantling; fourth, the wreath and crest atop the helmet; fifth, the motto; and sixth, the compartment upon which everything stands, including the supporters that hold up the shield.

First, the field refers to the shield's background tincture (color). This is argent (silver) in the case of the MacFarlane chief's shield, which can also be represented as white.

Second, the charge refers to the emblems that adorn the shield's field. This is also known as the ordinary. It is the saltire (the diagonal cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland who was crucified on a diagonal cross) in the case of the MacFarlane chief's coat of arms. To distinguish it from the ancient earls of Lennox, from whom the MacFarlane chiefs descended, the cross is engrailed (made up of small concave curves, like tiny waves). Gules (red) is the color of the cross. The Lennox shield is represented by a red rose in each quarter.

Third, the helmet is placed above the shield in a design appropriate for his Degree, in this case a tilting helm adorned with gold or the more ancient pot helm adorned with gold. The drapery tied to the helmet is known as the mantling, and it is derived from the linen worn by knights over their helmets. It is a two-sided cloth that reflects the two colors used in the shield, argent and gules in the case of MacFarlane chief.

Fourth, the wreath is a twisted roll of fabric that looks like a rope with six parts that uses the first two colors of the shield, argent and gules.

Above the wreath is the crest granted by Moray, the regent of the child king, James VI, to Andrew MacFarlane of that Ilk and Arrochar, 11th Chief and 14th Baron. This was granted following the Battle of Langside in 1568, in which the clan defeated his mother, Queen Mary of Scots.

The crest, as originally designed, depicts a demi-savage holding an arrow sheaf in his raised dexter (right) hand and pointing to James VI's crown with his sinister (left) hand.

The crest was changed for the then-chief, Andrew MacFarlane of that Ilk and Arrochar, 15th Chief and 18th Baron, just over a century later. The sheaf of arrows was replaced with a sword in the new design.

Fifth, the motto above the crest, "This I'll Defend," refers to the Crown of James VI, who also became James I of England, the first Stewart king of England, in 1603.

Sixth: The Compartment is the bottom section of the coat of arms, directly beneath the shield. The scroll's slogan is the rallying cry of MacFarlane, "Loch Sloidh" or "Loch Sloy." Above this is a grassy area where supporters gather. It serves as the foundation for two Highlanders who act as shield supports. Supporters were granted by Scottish law to all clan chiefs and feudal barons who had a right to a seat in Scottish Parliament prior to 1597.