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Clan Henderson (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Henderson

Gaelic Name: Mac Eanruig

Clan Crest: A cubit arm Proper the hand holding an estoile Or surmounted by a crescent Azure

Clan Motto: Sola virtus nobilitat (Virtue alone ennobles)

Origin of Name: Henry’s son

Clan Badge: Cotton grass

Lands: Caithness and Glencoe

Clan Chief: Alistair Henderson of Fordell

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Henderson Clan History

Henderson, Henry, and Hendry are names that are so intertwined and widespread that it is impossible to pinpoint a single line as the first. The name MacKendrick is revealed to be another variation of Henderson through its Gaelic translation into English. The Hendersons of Caithness and surrounding areas trace their ancestry back to Henry, son of George Gunn, chief of Clan Gunn and 'Crowner' of Scotland in the 1400s, who was duped and killed by the Keiths.

Meanwhile, Hendersons could be found in Dumfries-shire, at the opposite end of Scotland.

James Henderson became Lord Advocate in 1494, establishing the line that flourished in Fordell, Fife. Alexander Henderson, born in 1583 to this family, drafted the National Covenant of 1638 with Johnston of Wariston. With this, as well as his contributions to the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 and the Confession of Faith, he established himself as the Presbyterian Church of Scotland's most powerful representative during those political years.

Clan Eanruig of Glencoe is the main family of Hendersons, descended from 'Big Henry', son of King Neachtain. King Neachtain reigned in the 700s and is credited with the construction of Abernethy, the Pictish stronghold.

When the Hendersons arrived in Glencoe, the heiress of their last chief had given Angus Og of Islay a son. Their grandson's name was Iain Abrach, and his patronymic, MacLain, became the name of the chiefs of Glencoe.

The Hendersons, known for their size and strength, formed the chief's personal bodyguard during his time with the MacDonalds. The powerful Big Henderson of the Chanters, standing six feet and seven inches tall, was MacLain's piper and protector, and he died with the chief in the cold February night of 1692 in the Massacre of Glencoe, the treacherous outrage ordered by King William of Orange.

The current chief is a Doctor of Medicine living in Australia at the time of writing.

Henderson Places & People

Henderson Clan Members

Henderson, Thomas (1798-1844)

Henderson was born and raised in Dundee, and his interest in astronomy overshadowed his training as a legal secretary. Despite his poor eyesight and health, he excelled in astronomy and rose to become Director of the Cape of Good Hope Observatory.

His most important contribution to science was the successful computation of Alpha Centauri's parallax.

Arthur Henderson is an Englishman.

Arthur Henderson (1863-1935).

Nobel Prize winner Arthur Henderson was born in Glasgow but moved to Newcastle when he was nine years old and has always considered Tyneside to be his home.

He would not have received an education if he had stayed in Glasgow. Henderson became the Labour Party's Secretary in 1911 after working in trade unions and local government for the previous twenty-three years.

He served as Home Secretary in 1924, then as Foreign Secretary from 1929 to 31. After losing his Commons seat, he served as President of the World Disarmament Conference from 1932 to 1944. In 1934, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as President and his deep concern for international affairs.

Sir David K Henderson (1884-1965)

Dumfries-born Henderson received his medical degree from Edinburgh University in 1907 and began working as a junior medical officer at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He worked as a resident psychiatrist in America until the outbreak of World War I.

He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and worked on war's psychological effects. During WWII, he served in a similar capacity. He worked in Glasgow's Gartnavel Hospital between the wars and lectured at Glasgow University from 1920 to 1932.

His collaboration with Dr R D Gillespie resulted in "A Textbook of Psychiatry for Students and Practitioners," a book that bore his name all over the world. In 1947, he was knighted, and in 1949, he was elected President of the Royal College of Physicians.

Henderson Tartans

Tartans of Henderson

Henderson the Elder

Henderson Contemporary

Henderson Crest & Coats of Arms

Henderson Family Crest

A cubit arm is the description of the crest. The hand holding an estoile or surmounted by a crescent is proper. Azure

Coats of Arms of Henderson:

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.