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

Clan Mar (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

Mar

Clan Crest: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, two wings, each of ten pen feathers, erected and addorsed, both blazoned as in the Arms

Clan Motto: Pans Plus (Think More)

Origin of Name: Geographical – Kingdom of Mar

Lands: Aberdeenshire

Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. The Countess of Mar

⇨ View All Mar Tartan Products

Mar Clan History

One of Scotland's seven ancient kingdoms, the rulers of this kingdom were known as 'Mormaer,' an ancient Pictish form of Earl. The Earldom of Mar is located in Aberdeenshire between the rivers Dee and Don, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

In 1014, Donald Mormaer of Mar fought alongside Ireland's great King Brian Boru against Norse invaders. In the charter establishing the abbey of Scone in 1114, 'Rothri,' a later Mormaer, is mentioned.

In 1264, William, the 5th Earl was regent of Scotland and Great Chamberlain of the Realm. He was present at the marriage of Princess Margaret and Eric King of Norway, whose daughter 'The Maid of Norway' was tragically killed on her way to claim the throne, causing great unrest in Scotland.

Earls of Mar backed Robert the Bruce and were married to each other - William's granddaughter married Robert, and his grandson, Gratney, married Bruce's sister. Gratney died around 1305, and his only son, Donald, was kidnapped by the English and released only after the battle of Bannockburn in 1314, along with many of Bruce's relatives, in exchange for the Earl of Hereford. Donald was later elected Regent but was killed in 1332 at the battle of Dupplin near Perth by Edward Balliol's English army.

The title passed to his sister and her daughter Isabel after the 9th Earl died with no heir. Isabel later married Alexander Stewart, Wolf of Badenonch. A rather shady character who had almost certainly been involved in her first husband's death and whose 'wooing' technique involved a lengthy siege! Because Isabel died without children, the title reverted to a descendant of the 7th Earl.

In later successions, James II intervened and claimed the Earldom for the crown through Alexander Stewart, and thus the Earldom passed into the Stewart family. Mary, Queen of Scots, saw that the rightful heir, John the 20th Earl, was restored, and thus ended the illegal succession. John was governor of Edinburgh Castle and supported Charles I more by default than by any great allegiance, having his estates forfeited until Charles II's restoration.

Their allegiance got them into trouble again in 1715, when John 23rd Earl and Duke of Mar had his honours revoked for supporting James VIII's Jacobite cause. By Act of Parliament in 1824, these honors were restored.

Mar Places & People

Coming Soon

Mar Tartans

Tartan Mar

Mar Tartan Tribe

Mar Don Tribe

The tartans listed below are also appropriate for the name:

Gordon the Elder

Gordon Contemporary

Gordon endured

Gordon's Ancient Dress

Gordon Dress Contemporary

Mar Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Mar Crest

Crest Description: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, two wings erected and addorsed, each of ten pen feathers, both blazoned as in the Arms.

Coats of Arms of Mar:

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.