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Clan Ruthven (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Ruthven

Clan Crest: A ram’s head couped Sable armed Or

Clan Motto: Deid schaw

Origin of Tartan: A family tartan from the “vestiarium Scoticum”

Origin of Name: Lands in Perthshire

Clan Chief: Alexander Patrick Greysteil Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie

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Ruthven Clan History

Thor, son of Sweyn the Viking chief, founded the Ruthven clan, named after the lands north of Loch Rannoch in Perthshire. These lands are known as Ruadhainn in Gaelic. The Ruthven family history reads like a Viking saga, complete with shady characters and dark deeds.

Patrick, third Lord Ruthven is remembered as the primary assassin of David Rizzio, Mary, Queen of Scots' Italian secretary. His son, the Earl of Gowrie, led the conspirators who overthrew James VI and took over the government in his name. He was beheaded for this action, which became known as the "Ruthven Raid" later on.

The Ruthvens' reputation as assassins was enhanced by a mysterious incident known as the "Gowrie Conspiracy" in 1600. John and Alexander Ruthven were assassinated in Gowrie House during an alleged assassination attempt on James VI. Parliament declared the Ruthven brothers traitors despite the lack of evidence as to what, if anything, they had planned to do. The Ruthven name was declared extinct following the Gowrie conspiracy. The family coat of arms was debased in public, their estates were forfeited, and the title of Gowrie was made illegal.

However, in the twentieth century, the family honor was restored, and the Earldom of Gowrie was reestablished.

Ruthven Places & People

Ruthven Residents:

William Ruthven (born around 1500)

William Ruthven was one of Scotland's first Protestant supporters, speaking out in Parliament in favor of making the Scriptures available to all.

Ruthven, John (1577-1660)

He was educated at the Universities of Edinburgh and Padua. He was said to be a practitioner of black magic. He was killed in the mysterious "Gowrie Incident" and, as a result of his involvement, the name Ruthven was declared extinct.

Alexander Hore-Ruthven.

Colonel Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie

Alexander Ruthven was a distinguished soldier who won the Victoria Cross in the Sudan in 1898. In 1936, he was appointed Governor-General of Australia.

Ruthven Tartans

Ruthven Contemporary

Ruthven Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Ruthven Crest:

The crest is a ram's head couped Sable armed Or.

Coats of Arms of Ruthven:

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.