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Clan Matheson (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Matheson

Gaelic Name: MacMhathain

Clan Crest: Issuant from an antique crown Or, a hand brandishing a scimitar fessways, all Proper

Clan Motto: Fac et spera (Do and hope)

Origin of Name: From the Gaelic for "Bear's Son."

Clan Badge: Broom

Lands: Lochalsh, Sutherland

Clan Chief: Major Sir Fergus Matheson of Matheson Bt

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Matheson Clan History

The name Matheson is derived from the Gaelic 'Mic Mhathghamhuin', which means'son of the bear' or'son of the heroes'. The clan is said to be descended from a twelfth-century Gilleoin, who was a scion of the ancient royal house of Lorne.

The Mathesons settled in the area surrounding Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and Kintail and swore allegiance to the MacDonalds as Lords of the Isles. At the Battle of Harlaw, the Matheson clansmen fought for Donald, Lord of the Isles. The clan Matheson was considered as powerful as the more famous MacKenzies at the time, with a force of around 2000 men.

The Matheson clan found themselves squeezed between their powerful neighbors, the MacLeods of Lewis to the west and the MacKenzies of the mainland to the east, as the power of the Lords of the Isles waned. They swore allegiance to the MacKenzies, with the clan chief, Iain Dubh Matheson, dying in the defense of Eilean Donan Castle for the MacKenzies in 1539.

Not all Mathesons were known for their military exploits; Dougal mac Ruadhri Matheson established the name in both church and state organizations. From 1498 to 1514, he was Prior of Beauly and sat in parliament when Ross was made a separate sheriffdom.

During the Kildonan clearances, many Matheson families suffered greatly. Sir James Matheson most likely left Scotland after the Sutherland evictions to establish his commercial empire, the well-known trading house of Jardine Matheson in the Far East.

Matheson Places & People

Matheson Clan Members

Matheson, Donald (1719-1782).

Kildonan farmer and Gaelic poet. He was widely regarded as a new Calvinist dispensation religious poet.

Matheson, James

Matheson, James Sutherland (1796-1887)

He bought the island of Lewis in 1844 as the founder of the trading firm Jardine Matheson & Co. He was made a Baronet in recognition of his generosity to the people of Lewis during the 1845-46 famine.

Matheson, James Adam Louis (born 1912)

After emigrating to Australia, he rose to become one of the country's most respected engineers and lecturers.

Matheson Tartans

Matheson the Elder

Matheson Contemporary

Matheson's Ancient Treasure Hunt

Matheson Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Matheson Crest

Issuant from an antique crown, Or, a hand brandishing a scimitar fessways, all Proper.

Coats of Arms of Matheson:

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.