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

Clan MacAulay (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

MacAulay

Clan Crest: A boot couped at the ankle and theron a spur, Proper

Clan Motto: Dulce Periculum (Danger is Sweet)

Origin of Name: Son of Olaf

Clan Badge: Cranberry

Lands: Dunbartonshire, Lewis, Sutherland and Ross

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

⇨ View All MacAulay Tartan Products

MacAulay Clan History

The name MacAulay evolved from two unrelated areas. The MacAulays of Ardincaple were from Dunbartonshire. The MacAulays of Lewis were the other. In the early thirteenth century, the MacAulays of Ardincaple may have descended from Amhlaidh, son of Alwin, Earl of Lennox.

The name Aulay MacAulay, or Amhlaidh Mac Amhlaidh, appears in the Ragman Roll of 1296. Sir Aulay MacAulay appears as one of the Earl of Lennox's principal vassals in the Roll of the Landlords and Bailies in the Highlands and Isles, which was compiled in 1587. However, historians believe that, despite the MacAulays' long association with the Earls of Lennox, the name originated as one of the Siol Alpin branches.

This would link the origins of the MacAulays to the same family that gave rise to the MacGregors. Whether they were related or not, the two families had many ties throughout their histories. In 1591, the MacGregors of Glen Strae and the Laird of Ardincaple agreed to a manrent bond. This entailed MacAulay recognizing MacGregor's superiority by paying him cattle.

The MacGregors were constantly involved in feuds, and the MacAulays were frequently called upon to lend assistance. When the MacGregors were eventually declared outlaws and faced the terrible consequences that came with it, the MacAulays were spared punishment as their associates thanks to the Earls of Lennox's protection. This was in the early 1600s, and by 1767, the family's fortunes had deteriorated to the point where the castle and lands of Ardincaple had to be sold for debt to Campbell of Argyll.

The MacAulays of Lewis lived in the Outer Hebrides. The name simply meant "son of Olaf," the ancient King, and the first written reference to a MacAulay of Lewis was in 1610, about Donald Camm. The name Donald One-Eye referred to a man known for his great strength. Donald's son was killed fighting for Charles I at the Battle of Aldearn in 1645.

Future MacAulays were almost always Calvinist ministers.

MacAulay Places & People

People of Clan MacAulay

MacAulay, Lord Thomas Babington

Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800–59) was a British politician. Born in Leicestershire, his essays for the "Edinburgh Review" on Milton and James Mill gained him acceptance in London's upper crust.

In 1829, he was elected as an MP for Edinburgh. His eloquence was admired and persuasive in the House of Commons, such as when he spoke on the Reform Bill of 1832.

He gave up his parliamentary career to take a high-paying position on Calcutta's Indian Supreme Council. Volumes I and II of his "History of England" were published in 1848. They were widely praised and purchased, as were volumes III and IV, published in 1855.

He was appointed Rector of Glasgow University in 1848. His death was caused by heart disease.

MacAulay Tartans

MacAulay Historic

The MacAulay Modern

MacAulay Sightseeing

MacAulay Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacAulay Crest

Crest Description: A boot couped at the ankle and a spur.

Coats of Arms of MacAulay:

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.