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Clan Kennedy (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Kennedy

Gaelic Name: MacUalraig, Ceannaideach

Clan Crest: A dolphon naiant, Proper

Clan Motto: Avise la fin (Consider the end)

Origin of Name: Gaelic ceannaideach (Ugly head)

Clan Badge: Oak

Lands: Carrick, Ayrshire, Lochaber, and Skye

Clan Chief: The Most Hon. The Marquess of Ailsa

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Kennedy Clan History

Kennedy is derived from the flattering Gaelic word cinneidigh, which meant "ugly headed" in ancient Ireland. They were probably led by Gilbert, whose son Duncan became the 1st Earl of Carrick in the 12th century, as they crossed the Irish Sea to settle in an area of Dalriada now known as Carrick in Ayrshire.

They were rewarded for their support of the Bruces prior to and during the Wars of Independence. Around 1360, John Kennedy acquired lands at Cassillis, and his descendant, Gilbert, was created Lord Kennedy in 1457. Gilbert's younger brother, James, was the Bishop of St Andrews and the founder of the University of St Andrews, Scotland's first university.

To avoid prosecution, Ulric Kennedy fled Ayrshire for Lochaber, where the Clan Ulric was founded. The Kennedys of Skye descended from them. These families formed the sept of Clan Cameron.

Through the Auld Alliance, many Scots fought for the French. Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar was a commander fighting for Joan of Arc during the English siege of Orleans. The saint is depicted on the coat of arms of Kennedy of Bargany.

The third Lord Kennedy became the 1st Earl of Cassillis in 1509, and he died on Flodden Field in 1513.

The death warrant for Patrick Hamilton, Scotland's first Protestant martyr, was signed under duress by the 3rd Earl, Gilbert, when he was twelve years old. He was poisoned at Dieppe, and the Earldom passed to another Gilbert, who was famous for slowly roasting the Abbot of Crossraguel over a fire to gain his land. The Kennedys of Bargany rescued the Abbot, but not before he was horribly crippled.

David, the 10th Earl of Cassillis, commissioned Robert Adam to build the magnificent Culzean Castle in 1775. The half-gothic, half-classical masterpiece overlooks the Firth of Clyde to the Ailsa Craig and was offered to Eisenhower as a retreat in appreciation for his war achievements.The earldom was passed across the Atlantic to Royal Naval officer Captain Archibald Kennedy, who owned more New York property than any other man, in addition to his Hoboken estates. During the American Revolution, he attempted to sit on the fence. As a result, he had few friends, and half of his estates were confiscated, with George Washington claiming No. 1 Broadway for himself.

The 5th Marquess of Culzean Castle donated Culzean Castle to the National Trust. The chiefs of the family still live in Ayrshire, at Culzean and Cassillis.

Kennedy Places & People

Castle Dunure

The castle is the birthplace of the Kennedys of Carrick.

The Culzean Castle

People of the Kennedy Clan

David Kennedy (1825-1885)

David Kennedy travelled and became known around the world for his singing, specializing in Scottish traditional songs. When he went on tour with his family, they would accompany him on stage with a repertoire of their national folk songs, period favorites, and oratorio.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Marjory Kennedy-Fraser (1857-1930)

Marjory Kennedy, David Kennedy's daughter, was used to singing folk songs in concert halls after touring for years with her father. She was also a collector of folk songs and is best known for her series The Songs of the Hebrides.

While the collection's sales should be proof of its success, some criticize the attempt to rewrite Isles songs for the stage. Kennedy also published folklore collections.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

The most famous Kennedy of all time, the twentieth century's most enigmatic American President, was descended from the Celtic Kennedys of Old Ireland, forefathers of Scotland's Kennedys who chose to stay on their own side of the Irish Sea.

The 35th President was a member of the second generation of a powerful and wealthy dynasty known as "America's Royal Family," which is still very much in the public eye today.

Kennedy Tartans

Kennedy the Elder

Kennedy Contemporary

Kennedy Survived

Kennedy Crest & Coats of Arms

Kennedy Family Crest

Proper crest description: A dolphin naiant

Coats of Arms of John F. Kennedy

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.

Archibald Kennedy, 8th Marquess of Ailsa, arms

Earl of Cassilis and Marquess of Ailsa KENNEDY

Argent, a chevron, Gules, between three crosses crosslet fitchée, Sable, all within a double tressure of the second, flory counterflory.

GEORGE KENNEDY OF GIRVANMAINS

On a chevron, argent Fitchee gules between three cross crosslets In the middle chief point a boar's head of the first and a man's heart of the second. Sir James Balfour is a British politician. Paul's Ordinary in Scotland.

1672

LAHAN'S KENNETH KENNEDY

Argent, first and fourth quarters, a chevron invected Gules. A lion rampant Argent crowned Or between three cross crosslets fitchee Sable 2nd & 3rd Azure. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

(1672-7)

Bethune of Longhermiston echoed this.

KERRY MICHAEL KENNEDY

A chevron in argent Gules, a cross crosslet fitchee in chief, and a boar's head erased in base Sable. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1678-9

KIRKHILL'S KENNEDY

BARGENY's representative

Argent a chevron, first and fourth quarters Gules between three cross crosslets fitchee, within a double tressure flory counter-flory Sable second and third Azure three fleurs de lys Or. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1678-9

KENNEDY OF CLOWBURN

Quarterly 1st and 4th Argent on a fess Azure three mullets of the first, second, and third Grand Quarterly i&iv Argent a chevron Gules. Three fleurs de lys Or between three cross crosslets fitchee Sable within a double flory counter-flory of the second ii & iii Azure. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1680-7

AUCHTYFARDEL KENNEDY

On a chevron, argent Fitchee gules between three cross crosslets fleur de lys sable Alternatively, Sir James Balfour Paul's Scottish Ordinary.

1752

BENNANE FERGUSSON KENNEDY

Argent a chevron, first and fourth quarters Gules three cross crosslets fitchee Sable second and third Azure three fleurs de lys Or. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1837

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kennedy Clark KENNEDY CB

Argent Gules, a chevron. Between three cross crosslets fitchee Sable in the middle chief a fleur de lys Azure on an ermine chief the representation of a French eagle and flag with the inscription 'L'empereur Napoleon au 105me Regiment d'infanteric de ligne' thereon, and a sword disposed saltire-ways, and over the same the word 'Waterloo.' The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1839

UNDERWOOD'S KENNEDY

On a chevron, argent Fitchee gules between three cross crosslets A spur-revel sable between two lions counter-passant or. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.

1850

KENNEDY, William McLaughlin

The country of New Zealand

Quarterly, first and fourth Argent; a chevron Gules between three cross crosslets fitchee Sable, second and third Azure; three fleurs de lis Or, the whole (escutcheon) within a bordure Gules. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

August 16, 1905, 18/37

The Right Honourable (Lord) Hugh KENNEDY

Quarterly, first and fourth Argent; a chevron Gules between three cross crosslets Sable all within a double tressure flory counter flory of the second (for Kennedy). 2nd Argent; a pale Sable, on a canton Gules a sword in pale Argent hilted and pommelled Or (for Erskine of Dun) 3rd Azure; a fess embattled Or between three cocks' heads erased Argent, beaked Or, combed and wattled Gules (for Jephson) at the fess point of the escutcheon a holly leaf Vert-having reference to MacMaster. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

October 23, 1945 35/50

Clyde MACLEAN-KENNEDY, M.D.

Canada

on a chevron argent Gules, two cross crosslets fitchee in chief, and a galley sails furled, oars in saltire in base. Sable, with a maple leaf on the second. Or. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

March 3, 1955 40/69

KENNEDY, Sir John Noble

Southern Rhodesia's Governor and Commander in Chief

A chevron in argent Gules, a leopard's face in base Sable, and two cross crosslets fitchee in chief. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973, 3rd March 1955 40/69

DAVID KENNEDY

A chevron in argent Gules, three cross crosslets fitchee Sable, a lymphad sail furled between a fleur de lis in dexter and an estoile in sinister all of the first, a bordure Or four crescents charged Gules, two mullets of the third in chief and base respectively, and two escallops of the third in fess for his difference. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973

December 9, 1963 47/38

KENNEDY, Darrel E.

On a chevron, argent Gules between two cross-crosslets fitchee in chief Sable with a cabossed bull's head in base A Bible that has been properly expanded Correct bindings and foreedges Or topped with a Third Crescent crescent. The Lord Lyon's Court

Volume 70, page 70 of the Lyon Register

September 4, 1989