Irvine
Clan Motto: Sub Sole, Sub Umbra, Virens (Flourishing both in sunshine and in shade)
Origin of Name:'ir-afon,' which means 'green water'
Lands: Aberdeenshire, Dumfriesshire
Historic Seat: Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire
Clan Chief: David Irvine of Drum
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Irvine Clan history
Irvine is derived from the Brythonic word 'ir-afon,' which means "green water." The name is derived from a location in Dumfriesshire.
The family's records date back to between 1124 and 1165. The family claims descent from the High Kings of Ireland to the Early Celtic Kings of Scotland. Crinan Eryvine married Malcolm II's heiress. Duncan, their son, became King Duncan, who is assassinated at the start of Shakespeare's play MacBeth.
The Irvines have owned the lands and castle since Robert the Bruce granted them to the clan in 1325.
William de Irwyn was born in the Ayrshire town of Irvine. In the Royal Forest of Drum, he was appointed as Robert the Bruce's representative. In 1323, he was granted the Barony of Drum, which included the Tower of Drum, in recognition of his services. A structure that had existed as a royal hunting lodge prior to the 12th century. Drum Castle grew from this tower.
The Keiths lived across the river Dee from the Irvine lands. There was fierce rivalry between them, which erupted into full-fledged war in 1402 at the Battle of Drumoak, when the Irvines engaged and slaughtered an army of Keiths.
Alexander, the third Laird of Drum, fought alongside the Earl of Mar in the French Wars and later at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. The battleground was very close to the Lands of Drum. Sir Alexander de Irwyne, another Alexander, fought a duel with 'Hector of the Battles,' MacLean of Duart. The duel can only be described as a draw because both men died from their wounds after an intense battle.
The English kidnapped James I around 1405. He was imprisoned for eighteen years, and the next Laird was heavily involved in his release negotiations. When the king returned, he was determined to exact revenge on those who had refused to assist, but de Irwyne was rewarded with a knighthood. Sir Alexander had to take control of Aberdeen in an attempt to restore order after the King's vehemence against his enemies resulted in his murder in 1437. James V recognized the Sixth laird's similar diplomatic abilities.
In 1547, the sixth Laird's son was killed at the Battle of Pinkie.
The civil war affected the Irvine fortunes in a variety of ways; Alexander the tenth laird supported Charles I and was offered the Earldom of Aberdeen, but it never came to fruition because the king was executed in 1649 before it could be confirmed. The area surrounding Drum was a hotbed of Covenanter sympathies. Covenanter forces besieged the castle, which was eventually looted. One of the Laird's sons was captured while fighting for the Royalists; he died in the dungeons of Edinburgh Castle, while the other, Alexander, was eventually released and became the eleventh Laird. He refused a peerage because Charles II refused to provide any assistance for the family's hardship in supporting his father. When the eleventh Laird's first wife died and he married a sixteen-year-old shepherdess, the local community was shocked.
The fourteenth Laird was severely wounded at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 and died a few years later without issue, leaving his estates to his uncle and then to John Irvine of Crimond. Alexander, the seventeenth Laird, fought against the Jacobites at Culloden. Cumberland pursued him, and he hid in a secret chamber in his castle before fleeing to France, as did many other prominent Jacobites. Later, he was allowed to return to his estate.
The twenty-second Laird, also known as Alexander, served in the Great War and was seriously injured in 1916. He died in 1922, and his son Alexander, who died young and had never married, succeeded him. The title was passed down to the second son, Quentin, who became the 24th Laird. During World War II, he also served in the military, fighting in East Africa. He died in 1975, and Drum Castle was given to the National Trust for Scotland. Col. Charles Irvine M.C., another Irvine brother, took over the title. When he died in 1992, the current Laird, David Irvine, took over as the twenty-sixth Chief.
But David had one more score to settle: the feud with the Keiths had never been settled amicably, so in 2002, after 600 years, he met with the 13th Earl of Kintore, Chief of Clan Keith, to sign a formal peace treaty.
Irvine People and Places
Soon to come
Irvine Tartans
Irvine Ancient
Irvine Crest & Coats of Arms
Irvine Family Crest
Coats of Arms of Irvine:
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.
Drummer's IRVINE
Argent, two and one bunches of holly, Vert, each consisting of as many leaves, slipped, of the last, banded, Gules.
By ScotsTee
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