Spens

Clan Crest: A hart’s head erased, Proper

Clan Motto: Si Deus Quis Contra (If God is For Us Who is Against Us)

Origin of Name: French

Clan Chief: Patrick Spens, 4th Baron Spens

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Spens Clan History

The surname Spens, or Spence, is thought to derive from the Old French word for "custodian" or "dispenser." The Clan Spens family's main line descends from one of the ancient Earls of Fife.

A number of people with the surname Spens were recorded in various papers during the 13th and 14th centuries. A Roger 'dispensator' was mentioned in a deed documenting the transfer of lands near Dallas in Inverness-shire in 1232, and a John Spens was a baillie of the town in 1260. There was a Henry de Spens of Lathallan who died in 1300, and another Henry Spens who witnessed a charter made by Robert, Earl of Fife in 1390. Henry de Spens of Lathallan died four years after signing the Ragman Rolls and pledging allegiance to England's Edward I alongside a number of other Scottish nobles. King Robert the Bruce mentioned his son Thomas in at least two charters. The family's lands were elevated to the status of barony in 1430.

The Spens clan had gained some prominence by the 15th century, and when James I called a parliament at Perth in 1434, John Spens of Lathallan was granted a seat. Sir John Wemyss's daughter, Isabel Wemyss, married John, and the couple had three sons. Patrick, the youngest, was a soldier and a member of the Scots Guard, Archers. In 1450, James II dispatched archers led by Patrick to France to assist Charles VII, and Patrick eventually settled there. The prominent Spens-Destinot de Lanere family descended from him. The company of archers became known as the 'Garde Ecossaise' and served as the personal bodyguards of the French monarchs until 1791, when they were disbanded during the revolution.

Thomas, the second son of John and Isabel, was born in 1415 and entered the church, where he excelled and rose to high office. Around 1450, Thomas was appointed Bishop of Galloway, and seven years later, he was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen. He was regarded as a wise and astute negotiator. He was regularly employed on state business and was appointed Lord Privy Seal twice: once between 1458 and '59 and again between 1467 and 1470. Thomas was tasked with completing the marriage contract between Louis of Savoy, Count of Geneva, and James II's younger sister, Annabella. He was sent to England as an ambassador of the Scottish crown two years later, in 1451, to try to negotiate a truce with the English. Thomas died on April 14, 1480, and was buried at Roslin Chapel.

The Spens family was divided on Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1561, Mary directed the Lord Advocate, John Spens, Lord Condie, to prosecute religious reformer John Knox for treason. Spens did so, but with little enthusiasm or effort, and Knox was found not guilty. David Spens of Wormieston, on the other hand, was a staunch supporter of the queen and was labeled a rebel by the Parliament summoned by Regent Lennox in August 1571. David was one of the ringleaders in a plot to kidnap Lennox the following month. It was his responsibility to personally hold the regent. Spens is said to have taken his job of protecting Lennox so seriously that when it was decided to kill him, he threw himself in front of the prisoner to prevent the prisoner from being shot. Sadly for David Spens, when Lennox's rescuers arrived, he was killed on the spot, despite Lennox's efforts to save him. During James VI's reign, the Spens of Wormieston were well-liked by the royal court, and Sir James Spens was appointed as Scottish ambassador to Sweden. A branch of the family settled there and rose to the rank of Counts Spens in the Swedish nobility.

The Craigsanquhar estate in Fife was owned by the Spens family between 1385 and 1524, and was purchased back in 1792 by Dr Nathaniel Spens (1728-1815), the second son of the 15th Laird of Lathallan. Dr Spens was president of the Royal College of Physicians in 1794, and he was also a prominent member of the Royal Company of Archers (the bodyguards to Scotland's monarchs). In Edinburgh, a portrait of him hangs in Archers' Hall. Sir Patrick Spens (1885-1973), one of his descendants, was appointed 1st Lord Spens of Blairsanquhar in 1959. Sir William Spens, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1931 to 1933, and John Alexander Spens Esq, MVO, RD, WS, who was appointed Albany Herald of Arms in 1985, are also descendants of Nathaniel.

Spens Places & People

Clan Spens Locations

Boddam Castle is located near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

Bute's Wester James Castle, near Rothsay. Previously owned by McDonalds, who renamed it Spence.

Clan Spens Individuals

Spence, Jim

Dundonian sports journalist and broadcaster who worked for BBC Scotland.

Spens Tartans

Tartans of the Spens Clan:

Spens Contemporary

Spens is associated with the following tartans:

Ancient MacDuff

MacDuff Contemporary

Ancient MacDuff Dress

Modern MacDuff Dress

Ancient MacDuff Hunting

MacDuff Hunting Modern

Spens Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Spens Crest:

Crest Description: An erased hart's head, Proper

Coats of Arms of Spens:

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.