Carruthers

Clan Crest: A seraphim volant, Proper

Clan Motto: Promptus Et Fidelis (Ready and faithful)

Region: Lowlands

Clan Chief: Dr. Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains

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Clan Carruthers History

The surname Carruthers derives from the Carruthers lands in Middlebie parish, Dumfrisshire. Caer Rydderch or Rythyr, an ancient British fort.

There is also an old legend that the Carruthers family is descended from ColeHen, King of Cumbria (or Old King Cole as he was known), because one of his sons, Rhideris, built a caer, or castle, near Ecclefechan.

The name was pronounced "Cridders" in the area.

The Carruthers were stewards of Annandale under the Bruces in the 13th century. Historically, the Clan's main strongholds were Mouswald, Holmains, Dormont, Little Dalton, and Rammerscales, among others.

William de Karruthers made a donation to the Abbey of Newbattle during the reign of Alexander II of Scotland (1215-1245), according to the Rev A. S. Carruthers and R.C Reid's 'Records of Carruthers'.

Another spelling of the name was de Karruthers, which was recorded by Simon de Karruthers, a churchman in the parish of Middlebie, between 1272 and 1307.

Sir Nigel de Karrutheris, a cleric who obtained the rectory of Ruthwell in 1330, is mentioned as Nigel de Carrothorys, canon of Glasgow in 1337 and 1351.

Sir Nigel de Carother is listed as chancellor of Robert Steward of Scotland in 1344.

In 1361, a charter was granted to John de Carotheris at Moysfald, Simon de Carrutheris witnessed a deed in 1394, and John of Carrutheris was among the 'borowis' for the Earl of Douglas' bounds of the West March in 1398.

In 1446, John Carruthers was keeper of Lochmaben Castle (below), and in 1460, William de Carrutheris was presbyter of Glasgow.

Dormont has been in the Carruthers family since 1452, when Robert the Bruce granted it to them.

After the Union of the Crowns on March 24, 1603, James VI of Scotland and I of England dispersed the Clan, along with many other reiver families, out of the Marches and to other parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the colonies, hence the widespread use of the name Carruthers around the world. North America is home to a large number of Carruthers.

The Carruthers' chiefly line began with Roger, the son of John Carruthers (1361), brother to Thomas, the first of Mouswald (1320), who received the charter of Little Dalton and Holmains in 1375.

The Carruthers estate of Howmains was lost in 1772 due to financial difficulties, and the male line died out in the early 18th century with the death of the 12th Laird in 1807.

However, the Holmains line still exists.

Clan Carruthers now has a recognized Chief after 210 years without one. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr Joseph Morrow, CBE, KStJ, QC, DL, LLD, the arbiter in determining chiefships through the confirmation of the right to bear the hereditary Chiefly Arms of a Scottish clan or family, has recognized Dr. Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains as Chief of Clan Carruthers.

Lord Lyon found Peter "entitled to be recognised in the name, style, and title of; 'Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains, Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers' and maintained, ratified, and confirmed the undifferenced Arms of Carruthers of Holmains c. 1672" in a Decision issued on 19th August 2019 and published on 9th September 2019.

Clan Carruthers Tartans

Because the Carruthers tartan is a special weave, it is not widely available. This means that Clan Carruthers members can instead wear Clan Bruce tartans, as Carruthers is a sept of Bruce.

Tartan Carruthers

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Bruce Contemporary

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Bruce the Elder

Clan Carruthers Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Carruthers Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

Proper seraphim volant

Coat of Arms of Clan Carruthers

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.