Carmichael

Clan Crest: A dexter hand and arm in pale armed and holding a broken spear, Proper

Clan Motto: Tout Jour Prest (Always Ready)

Origin of Name: Place name, Lanarkshire

Lands: Lanarkshire

Clan Chief: Richard Carmichael of Carmichael

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Clan Carmichael History

The name Carmichael is rooted in the soil of Scotland's Southern Uplands, deriving from lands granted to Sir James Douglas in Lanarkshire in 1321. Sir John de Carmichael received the charter for these lands from William Earl of Douglas (sir James Nephew) at the end of the 14th century as a reward for his support of Douglas' claim to the Scottish throne. In 1441, a barony of 14,000 acres was established.

Lanarkshire's Mauldslie Castle. Between 1792 and 1793, Robert Adam built Mauldslie for Thomas Carmichael, 5th Earl of Hyndford.

Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat is unquestionably one of the clan's most heroic figures. Sir John fought in a Scottish army alongside the French against Henry V of England. At the Battle of Beauge in 1421, Sir John was pitted against the Duke of Clarence, Henry V's brother commanding the English Army. Sir John broke his spear, unseating Clarence from his horse, causing the English army to flee the field.

The broken lance on the clan crest commemorates this act.

Sir John's daughter Catherine was James V's mistress, and he built Crawfordjohn Castle as a secret meeting place. The affair resulted in an illegitimate son who was half brother to Mary Queen of Scots. In contrast to Mary's well-known Catholicism, another notable Carmichael, Peter Carmichael of Balmedie, was implicated in the murder of Cardinal Beaton alongside John Knox, and was sentenced to work on the galleys alongside Knox himself.

Sir John Carmichael later became a close friend of James VI, who knighted him during the Queen's coronation. He was appointed captain of the King's guard, among many other honors, and met an unfortunate (but all-too-typical) end. He was ambushed and murdered while arresting a number of Armstrongs during one of the many border disputes.

During the Civil War, the Carmichaels fought on both sides. Lord Carmichael supported Charles I, but two of his sons supported the Parliamentarians, while the other two supported the Royalists. At the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644, one of the royalist sons, John Carmichael, was killed fighting against his own elder brothers, one of whom commanded the Clydesdale Regiment. Because the sixth Earl died without issue in 1817, the family titles became dormant. Until 1980, Carmichael-Anstruthers were the sole proprietors. Richard Carmichael of Carmichael is the current Chief of the Clan. The 30th Chief of the Name and Arms and the 26th Baron of Carmichael in Lanarkshire.

Clan Carmichael Places & People

Carmichael Clan People

Carmichael, Alexander (1832-1912)

Alexander Carmichael, a former West Highlands exciseman, moved to Edinburgh and began collecting Gaelic folklore. His extensive collection included prayers, invocations, charms, and numerous songs dating back several centuries.

Clan Carmichael Tartans

Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, the 30th Chief, was the first to register the Carmichael tartan. He gave a sample to the Highland Society, which was present to preserve tartans; little is known about it. We don't know if it's older or if it was woven specifically for this, but this is the first time we've seen the tartan.

The term 'ancient' refers to lighter dye shades, whereas'modern' refers to darker dyes.

Threadcount K/6 G72 B56 R4 B4 Y/6

Carmichael Contemporary

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Anicent Carmichael

Clan Carmichael Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Carmichael Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

A quick hand and arm in pale armor, armed with a broken spear, Proper

Coat of Arms of Clan Carmichael

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.