Jardine

Clan Crest: A spur rowel of six points Argent

Clan Motto: Cave Adsum (Beware, I am here)

Origin of Name: 'jardin' is French for "garden" or "orchard."

Clan Badge: Apple Blossom

Historic Seat: Spedlins Tower

Clan Chief: Sir William Murray Jardine of Applegirth, 13th Bt

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Jardine Clan History

Because the French word 'jardin' means 'garden' or 'orchard,' it is assumed that the family was originally from France and lived near one or the other. During the Norman conquests in 1066, members of the du Jardon family accompanied William. However, records of the name do not appear in Scotland until around 1153, with Wmfredus de Jardin appearing on several charters. Humphrey de Jardin's name later appears on a charter drawn up by Robert the Bruce around 1178.

The name, or at least its meaning, appears to have been translated into English at some point; Patrick de Gardinus was chaplain to the Bishop of Glasgow, and Sir Humphrey de Gardino signed a document in 1245. Jorden del Orchard's signature appears on the infamous Ragman Roll, adding to the confusion.

Jardines appear to have settled in Applegirth, Dumfriesshire, around the fourteenth century. They built Spedlings Tower there, which served as the family's headquarters until the seventeenth century, when Jardine Hall was built on the opposite bank of the Annan. The relocation was necessitated by a grizzly family secret: a millar had been left to starve to death in the tower's dungeon, and his ghost had driven the family from its home.

With constant raids and other incursions from both sides, the border regions between Scotland and England were difficult to settle. In 1524, Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegirth encountered an advancing English force near Carlisle, taking hundreds prisoner. Years later, in 1547, he had to deal with over 5,000 English who overran the area, sacking the Jardine lands and forcing John Jardine if Applegirth to yield. Later, John sought assistance from the French and, together with the Jardines, fell on their English oppressors, taking many lives in retaliation.

The Jardines supported Mary, Queen of Scots' cause, but her scandalous marriage to Bothwell following the suspicious murder of Lord Darnley led the Jardines, like many other Scots, to support her infant son James' claim to the throne.

Sir Alexander Jardine later married Lady Margaret Douglas, sister of the first Duke of Queensberry, and thus became linked to the powerful Douglas clan. In 1645, they had a son, who was later made a Baronet of Nova Scotia.

The fourth Baronet took a vow of celibacy as a Knight of the Sovereign Order of Malta. When he died in 1790, his brother, Sir William, inherited the title.

The Jardines have an intriguing link to the new world. In 1873, Frank Jardine, whose father had worked in the Australian colonial service, married Princess Sana of Samoa. He was able to develop north-east Australia and the state of Queensland by leveraging his connections. In honor of his ancestral home, the estates where he settled were named 'Lockerbie'.

Dr. William Jardine formed a partnership with James Matheson. Jardine Matheson became a dominant force in Far East trade, thanks in large part to the effect that the opium wars had on strengthening the British presence.

Jardines had an impact on the literary world as well. Reverend John Jardine, born in 1716 in Edinburgh's intellectual heart during the Scottish Enlightenment, had the good fortune to be a part of a society that included great Scots like economist and writer Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and painter Allan Ramsay. He was a founding member of The Edinburgh Review. Sir Henry Jardine, one of his sons, was present when the 'Honours of Scotland' were rediscovered in 1818. In 1825, he was knighted and later elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Sir William Jardine, the 13th Baronet and 24th Chief, was born in 1984 and is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

Jardine Places & People

Clan Jardine Individuals

Jardine, Sir William

Sir William Jardine, 7th Baron Applegirth (1800–1874)

Naturalist from Scotland. Jardine made natural history accessible to all levels of Victorian society by editing and publishing The Naturalist's Library in forty volumes. It was divided into four major sections, each prepared by a leading naturalist: ornithology, mammalia, entomology, and ichthyology. Edward Lear was among the illustrators responsible for the illustrations.

Jardine's other works included a reprint of Gilbert White's Natural History of Selborne, Illustrations of Ornithology (1825-43), and an affordable edition of Alexander Wilson's Birds of America.

Jardine was the author of several bird species, either alone or with his friend Prideaux John Selby.

Matthew Pinsent, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing, is a direct descendant of William Jardine.

William "Sandy" Jardine (December 31, 1948 – April 24, 2014)

Former Scottish professional footballer who played for Rangers and Hearts. He made his Rangers debut in 1967 and played 674 times, mostly as a full-back but occasionally as a sweeper. He was a member of the famous 1972 European Cup Winners Cup team. In the twilight of his career, in 1982, he returned to his boyhood club Hearts, where he remained until 1988. During his final two years at Tynecastle, he was promoted to joint-manager with another ex-Ranger, Alex MacDonald.

He was capped 34 times by Scotland, making his debut against Portugal in 1971 and his final appearance against Belgium in 1979. He appeared in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.

Because Jardine was known as Sandy throughout his playing career, it was widely assumed that his given name was Alexander (Sandy being a common familiar form of the name Alexander in Scotland), but it was actually a nickname given to him in his youth due to his sandy-colored hair.

Jardine Tartans

Jardine Tartan

Jardine Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Jardine Crest:

A six-pointed spur rowel forms the crest. Argent

Coats of Arms of Jardine:

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. 

The Applegirth JARDINE

Argent, a saltire and chief Gules, the latter charged with three spur-rowels (mullets pierced) of the field.

By ScotsTee

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