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Clan Robertson (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Robertson / Donnachaidh

Gaelic Name: MacDhonnachaidh

Clan Crest: A dexter hand holding up an imperial crown, Proper

Clan Motto: Virtutis gloria merces (Glory is the reward of valour)

Origin of Name: Son of Robert

Clan Badge: Bracken

Lands: Struan, Rannoch, Perthshire

Clan Chief: Gilbert Robertson of Struan

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Robertson Clan History

The Robertsons claim to be descendants of Crinan, Lord of Atholl, who founded the royal house of Duncan I, King of Scots. The Robertson clan is better known as 'Clan Donnachaidh' after their ancestor Duncan, who was a staunch supporter of Robert the Bruce and led the Clan at the Battle of Bannockburn.

The general surname Robertson was derived from the clan chief, Robert Riach (Grizzled Robert), who was known for his fierce loyalty to the Stewarts. Riach was responsible for apprehending King James I's murderers and was rewarded by the crown by having his lands at Struan elevated to the status of Barony.

The clan was also granted a symbolic memorial through additions to their coat of arms; as a result, the chief of clan Robertson bore as his crest a hand holding an imperial royal crown, and beneath it a man in chains, symbolizing the regicide. A century later, the Robertson family lost the Struan lands to the Earl of Atholl, but they were reclaimed in 1606.

However, after James VII's final defeat in the seventeenth century, all Robertson estates were forfeited, and the chief of the Robertson clan joined the exiled court in France. Clan Robertson chiefs still have the right and privilege of interment in the family burial ground at Struan.

Robertson Places & People

Robertson, Alexander (1670-1749)

Alexander Robertson was a well-known and well-liked poet. He was studying for the church when he was appointed chief. He later joined the Jacobite cause and was forced to flee to France. The "Poet Chief" was his moniker.

William Robertson

William Robertson (VC, CBE)(1865 – 1949)

The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that British and Commonwealth forces can receive.

During the South African War, he was 34 years old and a sergeant-major in the 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army when the following deed occurred, for which he was awarded the VC.

During the final advance on the enemy's position on 21 October 1899 at the Battle of Elandslaagte, South Africa, Sergeant-Major Robertson led each successive rush, exposing himself fearlessly to the enemy's artillery and rifle fire to encourage the men. After capturing the main position, he led a small party to seize the Boer camp. Despite being exposed to lethal cross-fire from the enemy's rifles, he gallantly held the captured position and continued to encourage the men until he was dangerously wounded.

Robertson Tartans

Robertson the Elder

Robertson Contemporary

Robertson had been through a lot.

Ancient Robertson Hunting

Robertson Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Robertson Crest

Properly, a dexter hand holds up an imperial crown.

Coats of Arms of Robertson:

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.

Struan / Strowan ROBERTSON

Gules, three erased wolves' heads Argent, armed and langued Azure.

Arms of Clan Donnachaidh's Chief

The Motto Struan has two Latin mottos, one above the crest in a scroll, "Virtutis Gloria Merces" (Glory is the reward of valour), and one below the compartment, "Garg'n Uair Dhuisgear" (Fierce when roused).

Mantling and the Helmet

The wreath is made of twisted cloth in the owner's livery colors, red and silver in Struan's case. A right hand holds a regal crown in the Crest.

The Supporters Struan has a green serpent with a red ribbon around its neck on the peace side (left) and a silver dove with a blue beak and a blue hat trimmed with ermine on the war side (right).

The Protection Shield Three silver wolves' heads, cut off at the neck and armed with blue tongues. This is a device that proves our Clan killed the last wolves in the Isles.

Additional Equipment The man in chains is a device that bears proof that the fourth Chief apprehended one of James I's murderers. He was "ALIVE" returned to the Queen for torture.

Coat of Arms of Robertson Haward

"The Arms displayed in the first and fourth quarters of the shield, together with the first Crest, are identical with those duly granted by Letters Patent bearing date the 25th May 1612 to Samuel Haward of the Isle of Hartye in the county of Kent, by William Segar, Garter King of Arms," according to William Vergo, Chester Herald, college of Arms. Samuel is said to be the son of William Haward and the grandson of Stephen Haward, and his Coat bears the inscription: Arms: A bull's head cabossed sable between three mullets. Crest: An arm vested sable cuffed or holding in the hand proper a human heart gulse, wilt the Arms depicted in the second and third quarters of the shield, together with the second Crest and the chained man device, are the very ancient Coat of the Robertsons of Straun or Strown in county Perth, Scotland... blazoned: Gules three wolves heads erased argent armed and langued azure: a wind man chained lying on a compartment under the Arms. Crest: a proper dexter and hand holding a regal crown. The motto in the scroll pendent from the armorial cartouche, namely VIRTUTIS GLORIA MERCES (Glory is the reward for valour), has long been used by the aforementioned Robertson family, and the inclusion of the Crests of both Haward and Robertson above the shield in the achievement would suggest the double name of Robertson-Haward.