Innes
Gaelic Name: Innis
Clan Crest: A boar’s head erased, Proper
Clan Motto: Be traist
Origin of Name: Place name, Morayshire
Clan Badge: Great bullrush
Lands: Morayshire
Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan
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Innes Clan History
Innes was a barony in Morayshire that included all of the land between the rivers Lossie and Spey. Malcolm IV granted Berowald, known as Flandrensis, a charter for these lands in 1154. Sir Walter, Berowald's grandson, took the name Innes, and the charter was confirmed by Alexander II in 1226.
Sir Robert, 9th of that ilk, married and added the thane of Aberchirder to the family estate in the 1300s. Sir Walter, their son, ruled the family for fifty-six years until his death in 1454.
By this time, numerous branches had successfully spread throughout Northern Scotland, and Alexander, 18th of Innes, had amassed six charters to a substantial amount of land between the years 1493 and 1533. He was murdered by the 3rd Laird of Invermarkie over a romantic disagreement, resulting in a terrible feud between the two families.
In 1579, the Scottish Privy Council recognized the Innes family as a clan.
Sir Robert, the 20th Chief, became the first Baronet in 1625 and was a supporter of Charles II.
The 19th Baron was a known witchcraft practitioner.
Sir James, the 6th Baronet, sold the Innes lands to the Earl of Fife in 1767 and moved to England. Because of the Reformation hysteria, many of Scotland's mediaeval records were smuggled to France for safety. Father Lewis, an Innes, became the Principal of the Scots College in Paris, where many of the valuable documents were taken. The papers were arranged, collated, and preserved with the assistance of his brother Thomas; they also wrote 'The Life of James II'. Despite his exile, Lewis was Secretary of State for Scotland in 1690. Cosmo Innes, Sheriff of Moray in 1840, who later became a Professor at Edinburgh University, continued the recovery and protection of Scotland's historical papers.
The Innes Review recognizes the brothers' invaluable work today.
Clan Innes' last chief was James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe. Born James Innes in 1736, he inherited the Dukedom of Roxburghe in 1812, and he later changed his surname to Innes-Ker, the original holders of the title being the Kers. Because of the name change, Lord Lyon does not recognize the Innes-Ker line as chiefs of the name Innes because it is double-barreled. Guy Innes-Ker, the 10th and current Duke of Roxburghe, is unquestionably the Chief of Clan Innes, being a direct descendant of the last chief, but because he retains the Innes-Ker surname, the Lord Lyon will not recognize him as such.
Innes People and Places
Clan Innes People
Father Lewis Innes (1651-1738)
Father Lewis, a descendant of the 11th Baron, went to Paris and became the Principal of the Scots College there. Many of Scotland's important documents were spirited to France during the Reformation to prevent Calvinists from rewriting Scottish history.
Father Lewis worked tirelessly to preserve and organize the papers. He also wrote "The Life of James II," a book about James VII of Scotland, the deposed and exiled Catholic monarch, with the help of his brother.
Father Thomas Innes (1662-1744)
Father Thomas, Lewis's younger brother, was born in Aboyne. He traveled to Paris to work with his brother at the Scots College, where he focused on Glasgow and its history documents.
When his work there was completed, he returned to Scotland to work as a priest for the Scottish Mission. Father Thomas returned to Paris in 1701 and spent the rest of his life there.
Innes, Cosmo (1798-1874).
Cosmo Innes, an advocate, was a descendant of Spynie Castle's hereditary Keepers. He became Sheriff of Moray in 1840 and ruled with Whig principles.
He was as enthusiastic about the law as his namesakes. He was appointed Professor at the University of Edinburgh as a result of his work in this field.
Innes Tartans
Ancient Innes
Innes Contemporary
Innes Crest & Coats of Arms
Clan Innes Crest
Crest Description: An erased boar's head, Proper
Coats of Arms of Innes:
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.
INNES of that caliber
Argent, three mullets, and Azure.
By ScotsTee
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