Leslie

Gaelic Name: Mac an Fheisdeir

Clan Crest: A demi griffin Proper, armed, beaked and winged Or

Clan Motto: Grip Fast

Origin of Name: Placename, Aberdeenshire

Clan Badge: The Rue, Latin name Ruta Graveolens

Lands: Aberdeenshire

Clan Chief: The Hon. Alexander Leslie

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Leslie Clan History

The surname was derived from the Leslie lands of Aberdeenshire and became well-known in Germany, Poland, France, and Russia. A Hungarian noble named Bartholf (or Batholomew) settled in this area, and in the 12th century, one of his sons obtained a charter from William the Lion for the Barony of Lesly.

Sir Andrew de Lesly was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath, which asserted Scotland's independence to the Pope in 1320. When his son Walter died before having his own son, the Battle of Harlaw took place in 1411.

The first Earl of Lesly was George de Lesly. His grandson, the 2nd Earl, was killed at Flodden, and the third Earl, also George, carried out a private family vendetta against Cardinal Archbishop of St Andrews David Beaton. He was acquitted at trial.

General Alexander Leslie of Balgonie fought for Sweden's King Gustavus Adolphus. He rose to fame in Europe for his military prowess and returned to Scotland as a Field Marshal. With a thousand Covenanters under his command, he captured Edinburgh Castle. In 1640, he led the Scots army into England and defeated the King's soldiers at Newburn. Charles I made him Earl of Lewis in recognition of this.

Nonetheless, the most well-known Leslie is said to be John Leslie, Bishop of Ross, who was born in 1526. He was Mary, Queen of Scots' most devoted supporter. John Leslie wrote the famous 'History of Scotland' for her.

Leslie Places & People

Clan Leslie People

Bishop of Ross John Leslie (b.1526)

'The History of Scotland' was written as a gift for Mary, Queen of Scots. He will be remembered as her staunchest ally.

1st Earl of Leven, General Alexander Leslie (c1582-1661)

He began his military career in Holland, then in Sweden, where he rose to the rank of Field Marshal. With 1000 men, he led the Covenanter army to the capture of Edinburgh Castle.

In 1640, he defeated the Royalists at Newburn in England, and in 1644, he assisted David Leslie in defeating them again at Marston Moor.

6th Earl of Rothes John Leslie (1600-41)

In 1638, he assisted in the drafting of the Covenant and made an important contribution at the Glasgow Assembly.

Leslie, David

Lord Newark David Leslie (d.1682)

Fought for Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden during the Thirty Years War before joining the Scottish Covenanter Army to command the cavalry in the victory over the Royalists at Marston Moor in 1644.

In 1645, he surprised and attacked Montrose's small army at Philiphaugh, escaping while his men surrendered. Nonetheless, Leslie ordered the execution of all the men and their families who had accompanied them at the time.

Leslie Tartans

Leslie Contemporary

Ancient Leslie Hunting

Leslie Hunting Contemporary

Leslie Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Leslie Crest

Crest: A demi-griffin Proper, armed, beaked, and winged Or

Coats of Arms for Leslie:

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.

LESLIE (simple)

Argent, a bend Azure, and three buckles Or.

Earl of Rothes LESLIE

Quarterly, first and fourth, Argent, three buckles, Or on a bend, Azure (for Leslie); second and third, Or, a lion rampant, Gules, surmounted of a ribbon, Sable (for Abernethy).