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Clan Skene (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Skene

Gaelic Name: MacSgian

Clan Crest: A dexter arm issuing from the shoulder out of a cloud, holding forth in the hand a triumphal crown, Proper

Clan Motto: Virtutis regia merces (A palace the reward of bravery)

Origin of Name: Place name, Aberdeenshire

Lands: Skene, Aberdeenshire

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Skene Clan History

Skene is thought to be an exceptionally early sept of Clan Donnachaidh, dating back before it took the name Robertson.

In Gaelic, the Skene clan is known as Siol Sgeine or Clann Donnachaidh Mhar. The traditional origin of the name can be found in a Robertson legend from the eleventh century. A younger son of Robertson of Struan is said to have saved the king's life by killing a savage wolf with only a small dagger or'sgian'. He was rewarded for his good deed with a grant of lands in Aberdeenshire named after the weapon that had brought him so much fortune.

As a result of their ownership of this land, the family got their name. The Skene chief's shield depicts three wolves' heads impaled on daggers, or 'durks,' to commemorate this story.

John de Skeen, who lived during the reign of Malcolm III, is the first recorded bearer of the name Skene.

Three clan chiefs were killed on the battlefields of Harlaw, Flodden, and Pinkie, so the clan Skene does not have a good record in battle. The Skenes' unfortunate history culminated in 1827, when the direct line of Skenes of Skene died out. All of the family's estates were then passed to a nephew, the Earl of Fife, whose family still owns them today.

Skene Places & People

Skene Locations

Aberdeenshire's Skene House. Mansion with castellations. remodelled in 19th C with some original features from 14th C.

Skene Individuals

Sir John Skene's surname is Skene.

Sir John Skene was a well-known sixteenth-century lawyer who edited one of the first collections of Scottish Acts of Parliament. Under James VI, he rose to the position of Lord Clerk Register.

James Skene (born around 1800)

Sir Walter Scott's close friend James Skene is said to have provided inspiration for both "Quentin Durward" and "Ivanhoe," two of Scott's best-known novels.

Skene, Alexander Johnston Chalmers (1837 – 1900)

Skene was a Scottish gynecologist who described the Skene's glands. Skene was born on June 17, 1837 in Fyvie, Scotland. He went to America when he was 19 years old. He studied medicine in Toronto, Michigan, and then at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, where he graduated in 1863. Following a brief military service, he entered private practice in Brooklyn and rose through the ranks to become Professor of Women's Disease at Long Island College Hospital.

Skene authored over 100 medical articles as well as several textbooks. He contributed numerous surgical instruments and advanced surgical techniques. He is best known for his description of the Skene's glands at the urethral floor. He also described their illness, skenitis.

Skene died on July 4, 1900, in his summerhouse in the Catskills, New York.

Skene, William Forbes (1809-1893)

He was a well-known writer and historian who wrote two highly regarded books, "The Highlanders of Scotland" and "Celtic Scotland." In 1881, he was appointed Historiographer Royal for Scotland.

Skene Tartans

Skene Crest & Coats of Arms

Skene Clan Symbol:

Crest Description: A dexter arm issuing from the shoulder out of a cloud, holding a triumphal crown in the hand, Proper.

Coats of Arms of Skene:

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.

'Some,' we quote Sir George MacKenzie, 'derive their names as well as their arms from some considerable action, and this a second son of STRUAN ROBERTSON, for killing a wolf on Stocket Forest, by a dirk in the king's presence, got the name SKENE, which signifies a dirk in Irish, and three dirk points in pale for his arms.' Crest - A dexter arm issuing from the shoulder, holding a garland ppr in the hand. Supporters: Dexter, a Highlander in proper attire, holding a skene in his right hand in a guarding posture; Sinister, another Highlander in a servile habit, his target on the left arm, and the Darlach on the right side, all ppr. Virtutis regia merces (Virtue is rewarded by the king)