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Clan Abercrombie (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Abercrombie

Gaelic Name: Obar Chrombach

Clan Crest: A falcon rising belled, Proper

Clan Motto: Petit Alta (He seeks high deeds)

Origin of Tartan: James Logan first recorded it in "The Scottish Gael" in 1831.

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Clan Abercrombie History

In 1296, William de Abercromby paid homage to Edward I of England for his lands in Abercromby, Fife. In the early seventeenth century, the family's lineage passed to the house of Abercromby of Birkenbog in Banffshire.

The Abercrombies' history is inextricably linked to religious strife, not only because the lands in Banff were granted to Alexander Abercromby by the Bishop of Aberdeen in 1362. Robert Abercromby (1534-1613) was a Scottish Jesuit priest who vehemently opposed the Reformation and its impact on the Scottish church. Most notably, he is said to have converted Queen Anne of Denmark, James VI's wife, to Catholicism prior to her death.

In a similar vein of religious dissent, Alexander Abercromby became a zealous Covenanter opposed to Charles I's imposition of an Episcopal church in Scotland. This was a provocative and defiant stance that was punished by the quartering of troops at Birkenbog as part of the Marquis of Montrose's famous campaign to restore Charles I's authority.

After studying in Douai, David Abercromby became a Jesuit and, like his ancestors, opposed the Protestant faith upon his return. He did, however, convert to Protestantism to the point of publishing a significant tract against Papal power, "Protestancy Proved Safer Than Popery," in 1682.

Abercromby's history also includes a military connection.

Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801), regarded as one of the greatest military reformers, served as Wellington's mentor during the retreat from Europe at the start of the Napoleonic Wars in 1795. Abercromby's army restructuring is credited with the army's eventual victory over Napoleon.

Another notable achievement was the British capture of the Spanish island of Trinidad, the spoils of a conflict with the French in the West Indies that he had led as Commander-in-Chief since 1795. He played an even more important role in the Egypt campaign, commanding troops in the decisive Battle of Alexandria that captured the strategic fortress of Aboukir from the French. Such military accomplishment is reflected in the honors bestowed on his descendants and is unrivaled in other fields.

His widow was made Baroness Abercromby of Aboukir and Tullibody, a title that reflects the clan's influence beyond their own territory.

Clan Abercrombie Places & People

Castle Abercrombie

Abercrombie Castle was the ancestral home of the Abercrombie family; it no longer exists, and its exact location is unknown.

Menstrie residence

Menstrie House was built in the 16th century as a baronial mansion house. It was constructed from the ruins of Menstrie Castle.

Sir Ralph Abercrombie, a distinguished soldier and politician, was born at Menstrie Castle in October 1734, though he grew up on his father's Tullibody estate.

Castle Airthrey

The Abercrombie Family owned Airthrey Castle in the nineteenth century. The Castle, which is located just north of Stirling, is now a part of the University of Stirling.

The evangelist Robert Haldane (1764 - 1842), whose family had owned the estate since 1759, had Airthrey Castle built in 1791 for him. The castle contains two standing stones that may mark the battlefield where King Kenneth I defeated the Picts in 839 to unite Scotland. Sir Robert Abercromby bought the estate in 1798. (1740 - 1827). Abercromby discovered an ancient whale skeleton at Airthrey in 1819 and donated it to the University of Edinburgh's Natural History Museum. During WWII, Airthrey Castle was converted into a Maternity Hospital, and it remained in that capacity after Stirling County Council purchased the estate in 1946. In 1966, the property was transferred to the University.

People at Abercrombie & Fitch

Sir Ralph Abercrombie (1734-1801), MP for Clackmannanshire, fought in the Seven Years War. He rose to Major-General and led the landing at Aboukir Bay before being killed in action.

5th Baron Abercromby John Abercromby (1841 – 1924)

Lieutenant John Abercromby served in the Rifle Brigade. He received an honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and succeeded on October 3, 1917, as the 5th Baron Abercromby.

He devoted himself to languages, travel, and folklore after leaving the army in 1870. In 1904 he coined the term "Beaker" to describe the unusual drinking vessels discovered throughout Europe. He was a supporter of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and its president from 1913 to 1918. His will established the Abercromby Chair of Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, which is currently held by Vere Gordon Childe and Stuart Piggott.

A study of Bronze Age pottery in Europe is one of his books.

Clan Abercrombie Tartans

Wilsons of Bannockburn were the first to mention this tartan in 1805. It was allegedly named after Sir Ralph Abercrombie and manufactured by Wilsons near the end of the 18th century. Logan recorded the sett around 1831, but his documented thread count was so 'clumsy' (Scarlett, 1990) and in light of the many 'aberrations' in some of his data, James Scarlett suggested that modifications could be made, though the ones implemented to produce the widely accepted version of Abercrombie are not those Scarlett suggested.

G/28 W4 G14 K14 B4 K4 B/14 Threadcount

The'modern' colors are woven in dark shades, while the 'ancient' colors are woven in lighter shades.

Abercrombie Modern comes in springweight, lightweight, mediumweight, and heavyweight options.

Abercrombie Ancient comes in two weights: medium and heavyweight.

Abercrombie Ancient

Abercrombie Modern

Clan Abercrombie Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Abercrombie Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Crest: Proper, a falcon rising belled

Coats of Arms

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). There are no such things as "family coats of arms." Personal weapons are depicted below (with the above exceptions). Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

Birkenbog's ABERCROMBIE

Argent, a chevron Gules between three erased boars' heads Azure.

Birkenbog's ABERCROMBIE

Argent, a chevron Gules between three erased boars' heads Azure.

ABERCROMBIE (Glassauch)

A chevron indented Gules between three boars' heads erased Azure, Argent.

Tullibody's ABERCROMBY

Argent, a chevron indented Gules between three boars' heads erased Azure, armed Or and langued Sable, with a crescent Ver in the center chief point

1) Sir Robert John ABERCROMBY, 7th Bt Clan Abercromby

2) 10th Bt Sir Ian George ABERCROMBY OF BIRKENBOG

Quarterly 1st and 4th Argent a chevron Gules between three erased boars' heads Azure langued of the second 2nd and 3rd Argent, a lion passant guardant Gules, quarterly 1st and 4th Argent, crowned with an imperial crown Second and third Argent three papingoes Gules, vert beaked and membered

1) Carolina's John Joseph ABERCROMBIE

2) Francis Patterson USA ABERCROMBIE

On a chevron, argent Gules between three erased boars' heads Azure langued of the field an antique crown Or.

1) Baron Abercromby, George Ralph Abercromby

2) 5th Baron Abercromby John ABERCROMBY

Argent, a fess embattled Gules, issuant in chief a dexter arm embowed in armour proper garnished Or, the hand supporting the French standard in bend sinister also proper in base (the ancient family Arms of Abercromby) a chevron indented Gules between three boars' heads erased Azure.