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

Clan MacRae (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

MacRae

Gaelic Name: MacRath

Clan Crest: A cubit arm grasping a sword, all Proper

Clan Motto: Fortitudine (With fortitude)

Clan Badge: Fir club moss

Lands: Beauly and Kintail

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

⇨ View All MacRae Tartan Products

MacRae Clan History

The name MacRae or the gaelic 'McRath' is understood to mean'son of grace' and is widely assumed to be of ecclesiastical origin. The clan name first appears in the district of Beauly in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, but they had migrated to Kintail in Wester Ross within a hundred years.

The clan MacRae, also known as the "wild MacRaes," became staunch supporters of the MacKenzie clan, and their zeal earned them the moniker "MacKenzie's shirt of mail." With the help of the MacRae clansmen, the MacKenzies prospered and became the "Earls of Seaforth." They rewarded the MacRaes for their assistance by making them hereditary constables of Eilean Donan Castle as well as chamberlains of Kintail.

While the MacRae clan was known for its military prowess, it also produced notable figures in religion and literature. One of the most well-known of these figures, John MacRae (or Iain Mac Mhurchaidh, as he is also known), emigrated to America and fought in the American Revolutionary War. While in America, he wrote many gaelic songs and lullabies, which he brought back to Kintail and has been passed down through oral tradition to the present day.

MacRae Places & People

Clan MacRae Individuals

Farquhar MacRae (1580-1662), Rev.

For over forty years, he was chamberlain of Eilean Donan Castle and minister of Kintail parish.

Duncan MacRae (circa the 17th century)

The Fearnaig Manuscript, a previous Gaelic poetry anthology, is regarded as an important contribution to Gaelic literature.

Mr. John McCrae

Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D. (1872-1918)

During the First World War, John McCrae worked as a physician, medical author, soldier, and poet, as well as a battlefield surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres. John McCrae was born in Ontario, Canada, the grandson of Scottish immigrants. McCrae is best known for his war poem 'In Flanders Fields'.

Sir Christopher MacRae (born 1937).

A well-known British diplomat who has worked in Paris, Tehran, and Nigeria.

MacRae Tartans

MacRae the Elder

MacRae Contemporary

Modern MacRae Dress

Ancient MacRae Hunting

Modern MacRae Hunting

Weathered MacRae Hunting

MacRae Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacRae Crest

Description of the Crest: A cubit arm grasping a sword, all Proper

Coats of Arms of MacRae

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.