Hunter

Gaelic Name: Mac an t-Sealgair

Clan Crest: A greyhound sejant Proper, gorged with an antique crown Or

Clan Motto: Cursum perficio (I have completed the course)

Clan Badge: Sea Pink (Armeria Maritima)

Lands: Ayrshire

Historic Seat: Hunterston Castle, West Kilbride

Clan Chief: Madame Pauline Hunter of Hunterson

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Hunter Clan History

In their early years, the Hunters had an interesting claim to fame. It's almost certain that a Hunter was involved in the creation of the Bayeux tapestry, one of the greatest historical documents of early history, documenting William the Conqueror's path to the English throne. We know this because the wife of someone with this name was Lady in Waiting to Williams Queen, Matialda, who arranged for the tapestry to be made in her husband's honor.

The Hunter's association with Norman Kings most likely began around 896, when the Viking Rollo sacked Paris. They became huntsmen for the descendants of the Viking King, who later became Dukes of Normandy. The family's association would have continued if Queen Matilda had traveled to Britain after the Battle of Hastings.

The Hunters were the hereditary keepers of the royal forests, a position they would have moved from Normandy to England and then to Scotland as the Normans advanced. They would have most likely arrived in Scotland during the 12th century, most likely at the invitation of David I, who grew up in England's Norman court.

The signature of Aylmer le Hunter of the county of Ayr appeared on the infamous Ragman Roll, when many Scottish noles submitted to the sovereignty of Edward I of England, dubbed "The Hammer of the Scots."

Another Hunter's claim is that they have the best landlords in the known world! In 1374, Robert II signed a charter granting lands to William Hunter 'for his faithful service rendered and to be rendered to us in return for a silver penny payable to the Sovereign at Hunterston on the Feast of Pentecost'. In case the Royal party arrives on the appointed day to collect payment, the current Laird has a small collection of suitable currency dating from the reigns of Robert II and George V. One would think he'd be hoping they wouldn't ask for back rent.

John, the fourteenth Laird, died with his fellow nobles at the Battle of Flodden. Robert, his son, was a sickly child who was excused from military service by James V. This was granted on the condition that he enlist the help of his eldest son and his tenant. His son succeeded him in 1546, but was killed the following year at the Battle of Pinkie.

The Hunters of Kirkland are descended from Robert, the son of the twentieth Laird. The same Laird's grandson, also named Robert, was Governor of Virginia and later Governor of New York.

Robert Hunter, the younger son of the twenty-second Laird, prevented the family's financial decline in the eighteenth century. His talent for estate management essentially saved the family. He died at the ripe old age of 86, and his tenants held him in high regard. His daughter Eleanora, who succeeded him, married wealthy banker Robert Caldwell. Robert took on the Hunter surname, and they began an improvement program that included Hunterston House.

Hunterston Castle in Ayrshire has been the Hunters' seat for over 800 years.

Their granddaughter Jane Hunter Weston died in 1911, and her son, Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston, succeeded her. He served with Kitchener during the Egyptian War of 1896, as well as in the Boer War and the early years of the Great War in France. He also participated in the Gallipoli landings and commanded the legendary 8th army on the Western Front.

In addition to his decorated military career, he served as an MP for North Ayrshire and Bute for twenty-seven years. Unfortunately, he had no children and died in 1940, followed fourteen years later by his wife in 1954. The line was then taken from his mother, Eleanora Hunter, Jane's younger sister. Eleanora; 'Miss Hunter of Hunter-ston' was traced through this line.

In 1969, the Hunter estates were passed on to her nephew, Neil, who became the twenty-ninth Laird and Chief. He was an avid sailor who represented the United Kingdom in two Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in both. Neil died in 1994, and his eldest daughter Pauline was named chief. Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk, 30th Laird, is working hard to secure Hunterston's future and expand the Clan Hunter Associations around the world.

Hunter People and Places

People from the Clan Hunter Clan

Hunter, William Alexander

Hunter, William Alexander (1844-1898)

He was born in Aberdeen and attended Aberdeen grammar school and university before becoming a Scottish jurist and politician.He studied at the Middle Temple and was called to the English bar in 1867, but he spent most of his time teaching. He was appointed professor of Roman law at University College, London, in 1869, and professor of jurisprudence in 1878, before resigning in 1882.

During this time, he rose to prominence as the author of a standard work on Roman law, Roman Law in the Order of a Code, as well as a smaller introductory volume for students, Introduction to Roman Law.

Hunter entered politics after 1882 and was elected to parliament as a Liberal for Aberdeen North in 1885. He was a prominent supporter of Charles Bradlaugh in the House of Commons; he was the first to advocate for old-age pensions, and in 1890 he carried a proposal for free elementary education in Scotland. His health failed in 1895, and he resigned from parliament in 1896.

Hunter Tartans

Hunter, the Ancient

Hunter Contemporary

Hunter Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Hunter Crest

A greyhound sejant Proper, gorged with an antique crown, is the crest description. Or

Coats of Arms for Hunter:

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.

Hunterston's HUNTER

Or, three Vert hunting horns garnished and stringed Gules.

Lord Lyon granted these arms to Robert Hunter of Hunterston, Ayrshire, on June 5, 1865.

The coat of arms for Robert Caldwell Hunter, Robert's father. While the basic components of the arms remain the same, the shield design is more complex, and no supporters are present.

The blazon is as follows: Vert three dogs of Chace Courant Argent Collared Or, on a Chief of the Second three Hunting Horns of the First Stringed Gules, and a Greyhound sejant Argent charged Or for Crest.