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

Clan Primrose (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

Primrose

Clan Crest: A demi-lion rampant Gules holding in his dexter paw a primrose Or

Clan Motto: Fide et Fiducia (By Faith & Trust)

Origin of Name: Territorial; Dunfermline

Historic Seat: Dalmeny House

Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Roseberry

⇨ View All Primrose Tartan Products

Primrose Clan History

Primrose is derived from the Primrose lands in the parish of Dunfermline. It has been suggested that the name derives from the old English "prenn rhos," which means "moor tree." By the fifteenth century, the Primroses had established themselves in Fife, particularly around the Abbey of Culross. Henry Primrose was the father of four sons and one daughter. Gilbert, his grandson, was a minister in the reformed church in Bordeaux and later in the French church in London. In 1628, he was appointed Chaplain to King James VI of Scotland and King Charles I, and he became Dean of Windsor.

The Clan Primrose supported the Royalists during the Civil War. Archibald Primrose joined forces with James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. They allied with him following his victory at the Battle of Kilsyth. At the Battle of Philiphaugh, he was the king's lieutenant and was captured. He was tried and found guilty of treason, and while his life was spared, he was imprisoned until Charles I ordered Montrose to disband his army and leave the kingdom. The king released Primrose and knighted her. He took part in a plan to save Charles I from the English Parliamentarians in 1648, and although the plan failed, he survived to join Charles II on his march into England in 1651. He was made a baronet by the king. He took part in the Battle of Worcester, and after Charles fled into exile, the Primrose estates were confiscated.

They were reinstated in 1660, and Primrose was appointed Supreme Court judge and Lord Clerk Register of Scotland. "Lord Carrington" became his title. Between Edinburgh and South Queensferry, he acquired the barony of Barnbougle and Dalmeny, which is still the family seat today. Sir William Primrose succeeded the Lord Justice General, and his son, Sir James Primrose of Carrington, was elected Commissioner of Parliament for Edinburgh in 1703. He was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Primrose in November of that year.

The title lapsed when the second Viscount died unmarried in 1706 and his brother, Hugh, the third Viscount, died without issue. Archibald Primrose, born in 1664, was Sir Archibald's only son from his second marriage, who left him the estate of Dalmeny. Following William and Mary's accession, he was made a Gentleman of the Bedchamber. From 1695 to 1700, he served as Commissioner of Parliament for Edinburgh, during which time he was created Viscount of Rosebery, Lord Primrose, and Dalmeny. He was promoted to the rank of earl upon Queen Anne's accession. In 1707, he was appointed a Privy Councillor and a commissioner for the Treaty of Union. He was one of sixteen peers elected to represent Scotland in the House of Lords following the union.

Mary, his daughter, married Sir Archibald Primrose of Dunipace, a cousin. Jamres, his son, succeeded as second Earl of Rosebery while also claiming the dormant family title of Viscount Primrose. The third Earl was a representative peer who was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1771. He died in 1814, and his son, Archibald John, succeeded him as the fourth Earl of Rosebery. Primrose, a Member of Parliament for Hellston and later Carlisle, was created a baron of the United Kingdom with the title 'Lord Rosebery' in 1828. He was made a Knight of the Thistle, like his father, and three years later he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Linlithgowshire.

The Dalmeny HouseThe Chief of Clan Primrose retains his seat at Dalmeny House in Dalmeny, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth. Neil Primrose, 7th Earl of Rosebery, is the current Chief of Clan Primrose.

Primrose Places & People

Primrose Clan People

John Primrose

William Primrose was born in 1904 and died in 1982.

Scottish violist and teacher who was probably the most well-known violist of his generation. Primrose was born in Glasgow and later studied violin at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He then moved to Belgium to study with Eugène Ysae, who encouraged him to switch to the viola instead. In 1930, he became the violist in the London String Quartet, along with Warwick Evans, John Pennington, and Thomas Petre. In 1935, the group disbanded. In 1937, he joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Primrose resigned when it was reported that Toscanini would leave the Symphony in 1941. When he began touring with Richard Crooks, his solo career took off. He later signed with Arthur Judson, a well-known concert promoter. Béla Bartók composed a viola concerto for him in 1944.

Primrose was well-known for his incredible technique. Mischa Elman is said to have exclaimed, "It must be easier on viola!" after performing Paganini's violin caprices on viola. Primrose composed numerous transcriptions and arrangements for viola, many of which were technically dazzling, including "La Campanella" (from Paganini's second violin concerto) and the famous Nocturne from Borodin's second string quartet, the latter written "out of jealousy" for the cello's long melodic lines.

Primrose later became a well-known teacher, authoring several books on viola playing and teaching widely in Japan and the United States, including stints at The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music. A Walk on the North Side, his memoirs, was published in 1972.

In 1982, William Primrose died of cancer in Provo, Utah.

Primrose Tartans

Primrose has no registered tartan; this is the most appropriate tartan:

District of Fife

Primrose Crest & Coats of Arms

Crest of the Primrose Clan

Crest: A demi-lion rampant Gules holding a primrose Or in his dexter paw.

Coats of Arms for Primrose

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.