Hannay Blue Clan Collection

I. Introduction

In the rugged and storied expanse of Scotland’s history, Clan Hannay emerges as a vivid thread, its narrative dyed in the hues of resilience, loyalty, and ambition. Hailing from the ancient lands of Galloway in the southwest, the Hannays have carved a distinctive path through the centuries, their legacy intertwined with the shifting fortunes of a nation defined by its clans. Known for their striking blue tartan and indomitable spirit, Clan Hannay stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Scotland’s Lowland families.

II. Origins of Clan Hannay

The name Hannay, often traced back to its earlier form "Ahannay," finds its roots in the Gaelic "O’Hannaidh" or possibly "Ap Shenaeigh," suggesting a lineage steeped in Celtic tradition. The clan’s origins lie in the fertile lands of Galloway, specifically around the village of Sorbie in Wigtownshire. The earliest recorded mention of the Hannays dates to 1296, when Gilbert de Hannethe swore fealty to Edward I of England on the Ragman Rolls, marking the clan’s presence during a tumultuous era of English overlordship. These lands of Sorbie, reportedly acquired by this same Gilbert, became the bedrock of the Hannay identity, anchoring them to the Machars of Galloway.

III. Historical Evolution of Clan Hannay

A. Medieval Foundations

The Hannays’ story begins in earnest during Scotland’s medieval period, a time when Galloway’s Celtic heritage clashed with encroaching Norman and Anglo-Saxon influences. Unlike many Scottish clans that rallied behind Robert the Bruce, the Hannays aligned themselves with John Balliol, whose mother, Lady Devorgilla, tied him to the old Celtic lords of Galloway. This allegiance shaped their early fortunes, leading to their submission to Edward Bruce in 1308 after his conquest of the region. From their stronghold at Sorbie, the Hannays wielded considerable sway, their influence growing as they rode to battles like Sauchieburn (1488) and Flodden (1513), often alongside their neighbors—the Kennedys, Dunbars, and Murrays.

B. The Tower of Sorbie and Feudal Strife

By the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Hannays had solidified their presence with the construction of Sorbie Tower, a formidable stone keep built in the 1550s near the site of an earlier wooden fort. This tower, a symbol of their dominion, stood as the seat of the clan chief until the seventeenth century. However, this period also saw the clan embroiled in bitter feuds, most notably with the powerful Clan Murray of Broughton. The conflict, peaking around 1601, led to the Hannays being outlawed, a blow that precipitated the tower’s decline and the loss of surrounding lands by 1640. Many Hannays sought refuge in Ulster, scattering the clan’s name—now spelled variously as Hanna, Hannah, or Hanney—across Ireland and beyond.

C. The Kirkdale Line and Restoration

The seventeenth century marked a turning point as a branch of the family, descending from Alexander Hannay, settled at Kirkdale in Kirkcudbrightshire. This line, established by his son John Hannay, rose to prominence and is now recognized as the chiefly lineage. Sir Samuel Hannay, a descendant who served in the Habsburg Empire, returned with wealth and ambition, constructing a grand mansion at Kirkdale in the eighteenth century—a structure said to have inspired Sir Walter Scott’s Guy Mannering. The estate passed through the family, eventually to William Rainsford Hannay, cementing the Kirkdale Hannays as the clan’s modern standard-bearers.

IV. Clan Hannay Crest and Motto

A. Crest Symbolism

The Hannay crest proudly displays a cross crosslet fitchée issuing from a crescent sable. The cross signifies faith and service, while the crescent evokes renewal and growth—apt symbols for a clan that weathered outlawry and dispersal to rise anew.

B. Clan Motto

The motto "Per Ardua ad Alta" ("Through difficulties to high things") encapsulates the Hannay spirit. It speaks to their perseverance through feuds, exile, and shifting allegiances, reflecting a relentless pursuit of honor and stature.

V. Clan Hannay Tartan

The Hannay tartan, often referred to as "Hannay Blue" in popular discourse due to its striking blue threads interwoven with black, white, and yellow, is a registered and cherished emblem of the clan. This design, rooted in tradition, contrasts sharply with the muted tones of ancient tartans, showcasing the clan’s distinct identity. Worn by Hannays worldwide, it serves as a vibrant link to their Galloway heritage.

VI. Prominent Figures of Clan Hannay

A. Patrick Hannay (d. 1625)

A soldier and poet, Patrick Hannay earned renown under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, daughter of James VI. Following Queen Anne’s death in 1619, he penned eulogies that won him praise, with one admirer noting, "Go on in virtue, aftertimes will tell, none but Hannay could have done so well." His death at sea as Privy Councillor of Ireland marked the end of a distinguished career.

B. James Hannay (d. 1660s)

Perhaps the most infamous Hannay, James, Dean of St. Giles’ in Edinburgh, became a historical footnote when, in 1637, he attempted to read the new liturgy imposed by Charles I. His efforts provoked Jenny Geddes to hurl a stool at him, crying, "Thou false thief, dost thou say Mass at my lug?"—an act that sparked riots and fueled the Covenanting movement.

VII. Conclusion

From the windswept plains of Galloway to the global diaspora of their descendants, Clan Hannay’s history is a saga of tenacity and transformation. Their blue tartan waves as a banner of a clan that defied adversity, from medieval loyalties to seventeenth-century exile, and found renewal in Kirkdale’s quiet hills. Today, as the Clan Hannay Society gathers annually at Sorbie Tower—a ruin they strive to restore—the Hannays’ legacy endures, a vibrant stitch in Scotland’s vast and colorful historical fabric.