Home / Scottish Clans - Histories, Tartans Crests and much more / Clan Keith (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

Clan Keith (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

Keith

Gaelic Name: Ceiteach

Clan Crest: Sinister out of a Crest Coronet Or, a roebuck’s head Proper, attired with tynes Or

Clan Motto: Veritas Vincit (Truth conquers)

Origin of Name: Place name, Banffshire

Lands: Aberdeenshire, Caithness

Historic Seat: Keith Hall, Aberdeenshire

Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Kintore

⇨ View All Keith Tartan Products

Keith Clan History

A Chatti warrior delivered the Danish General Camus to Valhalla during the Battle of Barrie in 1010. Malcolm II pressed his hand against Camus' shield and drew three bloody fingers down it. "Camus Slayer" became his alias. In 1018, Malcolm won Lothian in the Battle of Chathem and granted Camus Slayer the lands of Keth. His descendants adopted the name of the area. The Keiths honor their forefather by adding three lines to the chief's coat of arms.

In 1150, a Norman named Hervey married the Keth heiress, and David I granted them the lands in a charter. Hervey's son was named "Marischal of the King of Scots" in a 1176 charter. This position, which later became hereditary, made the King's safety and regalia his responsibility.

Sir Robert de Keth was a close friend of Robert the Bruce, who bestowed Halforest upon him in 1308. In the forest, the Marischal built himself a castle. His finest hour came at the Battle of Bannockburn, when he led a small cavalry of ponies against England's Shire horses, scattering their archers.

Marriage resulted in the Keiths acquiring vast amounts of land, including estates in Inverugie, Buchan, and Kincardine.

Despite their vast wealth, they are not remembered as neighborly, constantly encroaching on the lands of others, such as the Gunns. The Keiths' long feud brought out the worst in them, such as the massacre at Helen Gunn's wedding, followed by her kidnapping and suicide. Another infamous incident was the betrayal at the Chapel of St Tears in 1464, when they betrayed the Gunns' trust and slaughtered again.

The 3rd Lord Keith was made Earl Marischal in 1458.

The 5th Earl was Scotland's richest nobleman.

The Keiths dutifully hid the Scottish crown jewels and other regalia across their lands while the 7th Earl was imprisoned by the English until the Restoration.

Fleeing after the failed 1715 Rising, the 9th Earl of Keith and his brother James went to Europe and made the Keith name famous throughout the world. The Earl became Frederick the Great's closest friend, while his brother became his most powerful Field-Marshal. The Earl was awarded the Black Eagle, Prussia's highest order. The Tsarina awarded James the Russian Imperial Order of St Andrew.

Keith Hall in Aberdeenshire is home to the current Earl.

Keith Places & People

Clan Keith Individuals

5th Earl Marischal George Keith (c1553-1623)

The 5th Earl attended Aberdeen's first university, King's College, and later founded the city's second, Marischal College, in 1593.

He was made Earl in 1581, supported James VI during the Ruthven Raid, and defended Stirling Castle against the Raiders' sympathisers in 1585. He was James' Extraordinary Ambassador to Denmark, where he oversaw his wedding to Anne of Denmark. Due to inclement weather, the wedding ceremony was moved to Oslo. He pursued and prosecuted the Earl of Huntly as a Calvinist.

Keith, Robert (1681-1756)

The Bishop of Edinburgh and Fife, who attended his namesake's Marischal College, was a key figure in the Episcopal Church.

His historical works include a History of the Affairs of Church and State in Scotland, published in 1734, and a Catalogue of Scottish Bishops, published in 1755.

Mr. James Keith

Keith, James Francis Edward (1696-1758)

George, 9th Earl Marischal's brother, was born in Inverugie and attended Aberdeen and then Edinburgh.

When he met George on his way to join the Jacobites under the Earl of Mar, he decided to accompany him, beginning a military partnership that would last their entire lives. When the Rising failed, they fled to France, returning briefly to fight at Glenshiel in 1719.

He served as an officer in the Spanish army for nine years before joining the Russian army in 1730. After serving as the Empress Anna's bodyguard commander, he was appointed Governor of Ukraine and commander in the war against Sweden.

He was offered the position of Field Marshal in Frederick the Great's Prussian army after leaving the Russian army. In 1749, George became an ambassador for Prussia, while James was appointed Governor of Berlin.

During the Seven Years' War, James was injured at Hochkirch and died as a result of his injuries. In his honor, Germany has several memorials.

Keith Tartans

Keith the Elder

Keith Contemporary

Keith Crest & Coats of Arms

Keith Clan Symbol

Crest Description: A roebuck's head Proper, attired with tynes, sinister out of a Crest Coronet Or. Or

Coats of Arms for Keith:

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.