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Clan Burnett (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Burnett

Clan Crest: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested Vert doubled Argent pruning a vinetree with a pruning knife, Proper

Clan Motto: Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage Flourishes at a Wound)

Clan Badge: A sprig of holly leaves|

Historic Seat: Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire

Clan Chief: James Burnett of Leys

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Clan Burnett History

Although Norman ancestry is suggested, it is more likely that the name Burnett is a variant of Burnard from the Old English personal name Beornheard, who occupied England prior to 1066. 'Beornheard' means 'bear hand' in Saxon, but it is also sometimes translated as 'brave warrior'.

The de Bernard family came to Scotland in the 12th century with David I and first settled in the south, where some of them became the Burnetts of Barns. The main branch moved to Kincardineshire and became the Burnetts of Leys.

The Burnetts of Leys built Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire in the 16th century.

Alexander Burnett backed Robert the Bruce and was given land in the royal Forest of Drum as well as the title of forester. The 'Horn of Leys,' an ivory horn hung in the main hall of Crathes Castle, is said to have been presented by Bruce as a symbol of this. Robert, his great-grandson, was the first to be designated "of Leys" in 1446.

The Burnetts had a tumultuous relationship with the church; they were recorded granting lands and endowments during the fifteenth century. Later, during a land dispute between Burnett and the nearby Laird of Drum, Burnett asked the local priest Father Ambrose to assist in negotiations, but he refused. Burnett became enraged and denied the local monks fishing rights in Loch Leys. Burnett and the monks who cursed him had a falling out as a result of this. He, in turn, attempted to drain the loch, but his son was killed in the process, and the two sides were reconciled after the tragedy.

Crathes Castle, located north of the Dee in Kincardineshire, was founded in 1533 and serves as the Clan seat. The castle took 40 years to build and is still in the traditional L shape. Crathes Castle is also said to be haunted by a ghost. The ghost is thought to be Bertha de Bernard, a Burnett relative who was poisoned (some say by Lady Agnes Burnett) after falling for one of her betrothed cousins. Bertha's father is said to have cursed the family, and until the 17th century, a 'Green Lady' was seen in the castle as a sign of impending doom.

Charles I made Sir Thomas Burnett a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1626. He was a Covenant supporter as well as a friend and relative of the Marquis of Montrose. His son was a member of the previous Scottish parliament and one of the few Scottish politicians to oppose the 1707 Act of Union.

When Sir Robert Burnett of Leys died without heirs, the title passed to Thomas Burnett of Criggie. However, the title took seven years to pass over because it was bitterly contested. During the American War, the seventh Baronet served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and was captured at Saratoga in 1777. During World War I, Major General Sir James Burnett of Leys, thirteenth Baronet, commanded a brigade of Gordon Highlanders. He was frequently mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the DSO and the French Legion of Honour twice. His grandson is the current chief and continues to live on the family lands.

Clan Burnett Places & People

Clan Burnett Individuals

Gilbert Burnet (1643-1715)

Bishop of Salisbury and Scottish theologian and historian. He spoke Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew fluently. Gilbert was well-regarded as a cleric, preacher, academic, writer, and historian.

He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1643, the son of a Royalist and Episcopalian lawyer who became a judge, and the sister of Covenanter leader Johnston of Warristoun. His father was his first tutor until he started at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated with a Master of Arts in Philosophy at the age of thirteen. He briefly studied law before switching to theology, earning his Doctor of Divinity by the age of eighteen. He did not enter the ministry at the time, but instead traveled for a number of years. He traveled to Oxford, Cambridge, London, the United States, and France. In Amsterdam, he studied Hebrew with a Rabbi. He returned to Scotland in 1665 and was ordained by the Bishop of Edinburgh.

He began his ministry in the rural church of Saltoun, East Lothian, where he faithfully served for four years. He was appointed to the vacant chair of Divinity at the University of Glasgow in 1669, without his asking or even consent. He initially declined because his congregation had unanimously asked him to stay. However, after being persuaded by Bishop of Edinburgh Leighton, he accepted the position.

Because of the unrest in politics, he left the University in 1674 and moved to London. His political and religious beliefs led him to support the Whigs in London. His energetic and bustling personality led him to become involved in the controversies of the day, and he worked to bring about a reconciliation between Episcopacy and Presbytery. When he arrived in London, he was well-liked by Charles II, from whom he received various favors.

His literary reputation was greatly enhanced by the publication in 1679 of the first volume of his History of the Reformation of the Church of England, for which he received the Parliament of England's thanks, and which was followed by two additional volumes in 1682 and 1714. This was the standard reference work in the field for over a century, though Catholics disputed some of its content. He lost favor at Court as a result of a letter of reproof he dared to write to the King, and the policy pursued by James II was so repugnant to him that he fled to the United Provinces in 1687, where he became one of the Prince of Orange's advisers. When he returned to the Kingdom of England, he was appointed Bishop of Salisbury, an office he adorned with liberal views and zealous service.

His most famous work, his History of My Own Times, was not to be published until six years after his death, at his request. It first appeared in 1723. It provides a sketch of the history of the Civil War and the Commonwealth of England, as well as a detailed account of the subsequent period up to 1713. While it is not without ego and some party bias, it is written with a genuine desire for accuracy and fairness, and it has the authority of an eyewitness. The style is lively and picturesque, despite its lack of dignity. This work was so good that it was reprinted in modern (though abridged) editions as The History of His Own Times. A History of the Dukes of Hamilton and an Exposition of the 39 Articles are among his other works.

Clan Burnett Locations

Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire was built on lands granted to the Burnett of Leys by Robert the Bruce in 1323. Alexander Burnett of Leys finished the current castle in 1596 after starting construction in 1553. It was delayed numerous times over the four decades, mostly due to political issues during Mary, Queen of Scots' turbulent reign. Prior to the stone castle, these lands had timber fortifications dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Sir James Burnett, 13th Baronet, sold Crathes Castle to the National Trust for Scotland in 1951, after nearly 400 years in the Burnett family's possession. The Crathes Castle Estate is open to the public.

Clan Burnett Tartans

Lochcarron designed the Burnett tartan relatively recently.

The term 'ancient' refers to lighter dye shades, while'modern' refers to darker dye shades.

Threadcount A/8 R58 G6 R8 G28 Y6 R58 R/8

Burnett the Elder

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Burnett Contemporary

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Leys Burnett's

Clan Burnett Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Burnett Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

A cubit arm, vested Vert doubled Argent, the hand naked, pruning a vine tree with a pruning knife, Proper

Coat of Arms of Clan Burnett

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.

LEYS BURNETT

Argent, three holly-leaves Vert in chief, and a hunting horn Sable in base, stringed and garnished, Gules

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Chief James C. A. Burnett of Leys' coat of arms

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Leys Burnett's

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Charles Burnett, John Herald of Arms H.M. Ross

Arms: Azure and Argent per chevron, a holly leaf in chief between two quills, and a hunting horn contourné stringed in base, all counter-changed.

Crest: A demi angel with wings displayed vested Argent, with a collar and a fringed pendent. Azure with a quill in each hand Azure

Motto: LEADING WITH THE PAST

Grant: March 10, 1982. 75th folio, 63rd volume of the Lyon Register.

The cross of a Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, the crossed batons of a Herald, and a Collar of Esses are displayed behind the shield.

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