Clan Ramsay (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

Ramsay

Gaelic Name: Ramsaidh

Clan Crest: A unicorn’s head couped Argent armed Or

Clan Motto: Ora Et Labora (Pray and work)

Origin of Name: Placename, South Scotland

Lands: Dalhousie, Banff

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

⇨ View All Ramsay Tartan Products

Ramsay Clan History

The Ramsays are an ancient Anglo-Norman family. Simon de Ramsay, who traveled north with the Earl of Huntingdon in 1124, was the first to record the name in Scotland. He was the ancestor of the Ramsays of Dalhousie and was granted lands in Lothian.

By the thirteenth century, there were five major branches of the Ramsay family: Dalhousie, Auchterhouse, Banff, Forfar, and Chatto.

The Ramsays agreed to keep a Bruce on the throne of Scotland.

Sir Alexander Ramsay of Dalhousie, a well-known fourteenth-century knight, was remembered in song and legend for raising the siege of Dunbar in 1338 and leading daring guerrilla raids against the English. He was rewarded by being appointed Constable of Roxburgh Castle, but this offended the Douglas family, who lived nearby. Sir Alexander was imprisoned in Hermitage Castle by the leader of the Douglas clan and starved to death.

The Ramsay clan's subsequent members continued the military tradition, but fighting was not their only talent. Alan Ramsay, the great eighteenth-century poet, is one of his descendants. His son went on to become a well-known portrait painter.

Brechin Castle in Angus is now the home of the Ramsay clan's chiefs.

Ramsay Places & People

William Ramsay died in 1710.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, William Ramsay served in Archduke Charles of Austria's army.

In 1708, Andrew Ramsay left Scotland for France. There, he became well-known for his academic achievements and served as the Prince de Turenne's mentor. Ramsay served as a tutor to both of the Jacobite princes, Charles Edward and Henry.

Ramsay, Allan (1684-1758).

One of the most famous eighteenth-century poets.

Ramsay, James (1814–1860).

From 1847 to 1855, James Ramsay served as Governor General of India.

Ramsay Tartans

Red Ramsay

The Ramsay Blue

Ramsay Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Ramsay Crest

A unicorn's head couped Argent armed Or is the description of the crest.

Coats of Arms for Ramsay:

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.