Seton

Clan Crest: On a ducal coronet, a dragon Vert, spouting fire Proper, with wings elevated and charged with a star Argent

Clan Motto: Hazard yet forward

Origin of Tartan: From the “Vestiarium Scoticum”

Clan Badge: Yew

Historic Seat: Seton Palace, East Lothian

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Seton Clan History

The name Seton is thought to derive from the village of Sai, near Exmes in Normandy. However, another school of thought contends that the clan gets its name from the'sea town' of Tranent, near Edinburgh.

The Seton family's fortunes were secured early on by marriage into the family of Robert the Bruce. However, the family luck seemed to run out in the nineteenth century, when all of the Seton line's sons were killed in battle. The family estates and lands were passed down through the female line.

The Setons were staunch supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots, and when she was in trouble, she turned to Lord Seton. In fact, the Seton clan played a significant role in her escape from Lochleven Castle. The inclusion of Lord Seton's wife Mary in the song 'The Queen's Maries' demonstrates their devotion to Mary.

Around this time, the Setons finished construction on their own family seat, the magnificent Palace of Seton. With the publication of 'A History of the Family of Seton during Eight Centuries', the Seton family has always been well served by its own historians.

Seton Places & People

Seton Locations

East Lothian's Seton House. 18th C Mansion of Robert Adam. Guilt over an earlier castle and large palace site

Aberdeenshire's Fyvie Castle. Passed to the Setons in 1596, but forfeited following the Jacobite rising of 1690.

Seton Individuals

Seton, George (d.1583)

George Seton assisted Mary, Queen of Scots in escaping from Loch Leven Castle after the murder of David Rizzio. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery houses a famous portrait of him. His wife, Mary, was named one of the Queen's "Four Marys" in song.

Pitmedden, Lord (1639-1719)

A well-known Scottish judge and Seton family member with a penchant for the macabre. In the 1699 edition of "Laws and Customs," he contributed a "Treatise of Mutilation and Demembrance and Their Punishments."

Seton Tartans

Modern Seton

Modern Seton Hunting

Seton Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Seton Crest:

Crest Description: A dragon Vert, spouting fire Proper, with wings elevated and charged with a star Argent, on a ducal coronet.

Coats of Arms of Seton:

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.