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Clan Kincaid (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Kincaid

Clan Crest: A triple towered castle Argent, masoned Sable, and issuing from the centre tower a dexter arm from the shoulder embowed, vested in the proper tartan of Kincaid and grasping a drawn sword all Proper

Clan Motto: I’ll Defend

Origin of Name: From Gaelic, ‘ceann cadha’, meaning ‘steep place’

Lands: Dunbartonshire

Historic Seat: Kincaid House

Clan Chief: Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid

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Kincaid Clan History

It is assumed that the name Kincaid derives from 'ceann cadha,' the'steep place' or 'pass,' but it could also mean 'of the head of the rock,' or even 'the head of the battle.' Alexander III granted the lands of Kincade to Maldouen, third Earl of Lennox, in 1238. The Earl then passed these lands to Sir William Galbraith, the fourth chief. The direct male line produced three sisters, resulting in the estate being divided. The fourth Earl of Lennox confirmed the lands of Kyncade to one of his sisters who married a Logan. The family got their surname from the 30,000-acre property.

During Scotland's wars of independence, the Kincaids were present, with one family member fighting against Edward I and recapturing Edinburgh Castle in 1296. A Kincaid was appointed constable of the castle, and Robert the Bruce granted that the castle be added to their arms as a reward for their efforts.

In the sixteenth century, the family acquired the estates of Craiglockhart near Edinburgh, Bantaskin near Falkirk, Blackness Castle, and the fields of Warriston, now in Edinburgh, through marriage.

Malcolm Kincaid lost an arm in a battle against the Stirlings of Craigbarnet in 1563, and he also fought with the Lennoxes of Woodhead in 1570 before being killed by a Stirling of Glovat in 1581.

John Kincaid of Warriston was murdered in 1600. His wife and one of his grooms were both charged. Both were executed for their crimes, with the wife being beheaded and the groom being 'broken on the wheel,' a particularly heinous punishment.

Kincaids supported the royalists during the civil war and suffered as a result during the 'protectorate' before the monarchy was restored, with many of the clan emigrating to America. They also backed the later Stewart cause, which cost them dearly in both the 1715 and 1745 rebellions, with several Kincaids fleeing to Virginia.

Through marriage, the Kincaids became inextricably linked to the Lennoxes toward the end of the eighteenth century. In complete contrast to the situation that existed between them 200 years before, the two families grew close.

Madam Heather Kincaid of Kincaid was the first chief of the name to serve on the Council of Chiefs, and her granddaughter Arabella succeeded her in 2001.

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Kincaid Tartans

Kincaid Tartan

Kincaid Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Kincaid Crest

A triple towered castle Argent, masoned Sable, and issuing from the centre tower a dexter arm from the shoulder embowed, vested in the proper tartan of Kincaid and grasping a drawn sword all Proper

Kincaid Coats of Arms:

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.