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Clan MacThomas (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacThomas

Clan Crest: A demi-cat-a-mountain rampant guardant Proper, grasping in his dexter paw a serpent Vert, langued Gules, its tail environing the sinister paw

Clan Motto: Deo Juvante Invidam Superabo (With God’s help I will overcome envy)

Clan Badge: Snowberry (but also the Red Whortleberry like Clan Chattan)

Lands: Glenshee

Clan Chief: Andrew MacThomas of Finegand

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MacThomas Clan History

The Clan Chattan was founded in the 15th century by Thomas, a Chattan Macintosh descendant and grandson of William, the 8th Chief of Clan Chattan. The Clan had grown too large to manage, so Thomas led his relatives from Badenoch across the Grampians to Glenshee. They were referred to as McCommie, McColm, and MacComas.

Clan MacThomas gets its name from Thomas, which is Tomaidh Mor (Big Tommy) in Gaelic. The name MacThomas was given to them by the government in Edinburgh, as evidenced by the Roll of the Clans in the Acts of the Scottish Parliament in 1587 and 1592. MacThomas is still the official name of the Clan.

The first chiefs of the clan settled at a place called Thom on the east bank of the Shee Water, opposite the spittle of Glenshee. There are legends that the tomb of Diarmid from the Fingalian saga, which has many ties to the Glenshee area, exists.

The MacThomas clan grew in size and wealth, and they owned numerous properties and lands in Kerrow and Benzian, with shielings up Glen Baeg. The Clan was successful at breeding cattle, but they frequently had to fight off cattle rustlers. A skirmish occurred in 1606, which became known as the Battle of the Cairnwell.

Around 1600, the 4th Chief, Robert MacThomaidh of the Thom, was assassinated, and the clan's leadership passed to his brother, John MacCornie of Finegand. In Perthshire and Angus, there are many legends surrounding John MacConie, who is remembered as a highland hero and is known for many heroic deeds.

The name Finegand is derived from the Gaelic phrase 'Feith nen Ceann,' which means 'burn of the heads.' This refers to an attack on some tax collectors by clansmen who cut off their heads and threw them into the nearest burn.

There are numerous stories about John McCornie (also known as Iain Mor), from defending a poor widow against tax collectors to killing the Earl of Atholl's champion swordsman to slaying a man who insults his wife. Others include him disguising himself and challenging his son to a fight, and overpowering a bull with his bare hands.

A large stone known as McComie Mor's Putting Stone stands at the head of Glen Prosen, nearby a spring known as McComie Mor's Well, and a rock shaped like a seat known as McComie Mor's Chair stands at the top of Glen Beannie.

In 1644, John McComie fought for the King, capturing Sir William Forbes of Craigivar. He left the army after the defeat at Philiphaugh and returned to the quiet life of cattle raising.

The clan's lands and influence were extended into Glen Prosen and Strathardle. Lord Airlie sold the Barony of Forter in Glenisla to John MacComie. He settled in Crandart, two miles north of Forter Castle.

The MacThomas Clan suffered a setback when Broughdearg, John MacComie's cousin, was involved in a land dispute, which resulted in his death on January 28, 1673. Following Iain Mor's death, his remaining sons were forced to sell their lands due to the fine, feud, and law suit that ensued. The clan split up, with some moving to the Tay Valley and others to Angus and Fife, where they were known as Thomas, Thom, or Thoms. Others relocated to Aberdeenshire, where the surname became McCombie of Tillyfour.

The Clan MacThomas Society was founded in 1954. The Clan is unique in that the majority of its members do not bear the surname MacThomas. But know the name of one of its septs. Comb, Combie, McColm, McComas, McComb, McCombie, McComie, McComish, Macomie, Macomish, Macthomas, Tam, Thom, Thomas, Thoms, and Thomson are some of them.

Andrew MacThomas of Fingand is the current chief. During his lifetime, the clan's ancient gathering place 'The Cockstane' was purchased, and the new bridge across the River Shee was named after the family. Historic ties with the Glenshee family have been restored. Thomas, the current chief's son, was born in the late 1980s.

MacThomas Places & People

People of Clan MacThomas

Sir Joseph John Thomson (1856-1940).

In 1897, physicist Ernest Rutherford discovered the electron. In 1906, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Thomson, Robert William

Thomson, Robert William (1822-73)

Robert Thomson, who was born in Stonehaven, was a Civil Engineer and blasting expert. He was also a creator. Designed improved machinery for sugar production in Java, invented a mobile steam crane, and invented the first pneumatic rubber tyre in 1845, but it was considered a curiosity and was never developed, India rubber being very expensive at the time. He also invented a dry dock and a fountain pen.

Crieff's Thomas Thomson (1773-1852)

Chemist. During his research into brewing and distillation, he developed the Allan's Saccharometer instrument.

Glasgow's Thomas Thomson (1817-1878).

Naturalist and surgeon. Pectic acid was discovered in carrots.

MacThomas Tartans

MacThomas the Elder

MacThomas Contemporary

Ancient MacIntosh

Mac OS X Modern

Ancient MacIntosh Hunting

Modern MacIntosh Hunting

Weathered MacIntosh Hunting

MacThomas Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacThomas Crest

Crest: A demi-cat-of-the-mountain rampant guardant Proper, grasping in his dexter paw a serpent Vert, langued Gules, its tail encircling the sinister paw.

Coats of Arms of MacThomas

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.

Count MacThomas of Finegand

Arms of a chief descended from MackintoshQuarterly, 1st, Gules, a lion rampant, armed and langued, Azure (for MacDuff); 2nd, Argent, a dexter hand, couped at the wrist, grasping a dagger, point downwards, Gules; 3rd, Or, a lymphad, Azure, sails furled, Proper, and flagged, Gules, its oars in saltire, also Gules (for Clan Chattan); 4

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