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Clan Tennant (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Tennant

Clan Crest: A ship’s sail

Clan Motto: Plena Dabit Deus Vela (God will fill our sails)

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Tennant Clan History

The surname Tennant is frequently misspelled as Tenant and Tennent. In 1296, a William tenant of Crestone in county Linlescu signed the Ragman Roll, along with many other Scottish nobles, pledging allegiance to Edward I of England. His seal is emblazoned with a large dog and his name, S' Will'i Tenavnt.

In 1309, Thomas Tenaunt was called as a witness in an inquiry into the Knights Templar.

Between 1339 and 1340, a John Tenant served as a soldier in the garrison of Edinburgh Castle. The burgesses of Stirling attacked the cruives (livestock pens) and fishings of the abbot and convent of Cambuskenneth in 1366, and one of the belligerents was a John Tennand. Andro Tenand was a charter witness in Ayr in 1500, and Andro Tenand and Bob Tenand were voters in Monkland nineteen years later, in 1519.

Andrew Tennend was a burgess of Are in 1539, and a different Andrew Tennand was recorded in Dysart, Fife, in 1542. In 1550, Robert Tenent was a witness in Glasgow, and reversion was granted to Kenthigern Tenende, also in Glasgow, in 1555.

John and Robert Tennent founded the famous brewery that bears their names in 1776.

Tennant Places & People

Tenant Positions:

Cairns Tower is located near Balerno. Now it's a ruin. Tenants owned it in the mid-16th century.

Tennant Tartans

Tennanat

Tennant Crest & Coats of Arms

Crest of the Tennant Clan:

A ship's sail is depicted on the crest.

Coats of Armas of Tennant:

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.