CLAN HISTORY
Border Origins
The Border region in the 13th to 17th centuries was the centre of a constant battleground between the English and the Scots. The people residing here at the time did not see themselves as either English or Scottish; they developed an independence of spirit that set them against the world.
Allegiance in this era was to Kin, not Kingdom. Family loyalties had no border or king, but were united under their clan name. There are up to 77 family names who claim to have been Reivers.
Many of these “riding” clan names are still common today; both in the Border region and beyond. Surnames like Armstrong, like the astronaut Neil Armstrong, or Nixon (as in President Richard Nixon) are historically linked with the Border Reivers.
You might be closer to the Reivers than you realise...
ARMSTRONG
Crest Motto |
I remain unvanquished |
Area |
Scottish Middle March |
Meaning |
Literally what it says “Arm Strong” |
Notable History |
The Armstrongs were one of the most feared and dangerous Neil Armstrong is a direct descendent of the Armstrong Reivers. You can still today visit Gilnockie Tower of Canonbie - the only habitable Armstrong |
BELL
Crest Motto |
Love is the token of peace |
Area |
West March |
Meaning |
A theory about the name is that it originally signified good looks. |
Notable History |
Feuded notoriously with the Graham family. The tower was destroyed in an English raid of 1547, whereby they were declared |
BURN
Crest Motto |
Ever Ready |
Area |
Middle Scottish |
Meaning |
Possibly geographically related to “bourne” meaning “stream”. |
Notable History |
A particularly predatory and vicious family. To have crossed them at the |
CHARLTON
Area |
Middle English |
Meaning |
Possibly from “a farm belonging to a ‘churl’ (a person of low birth) or ‘free peasant’. |
Notable History |
Main seat is Hesleyside Hall near Bellingham. Said to ‘eat, drink and be merry’ until the larder was empty, whereby Lady Charlton |
ELLIOT(T)
Crest Motto | Boldly and rightly |
Historical seat | Redheugh Tower |
Area |
Middle Scottish |
Notable History |
The extra ‘t’ in Elliott came about when a branch of the Elliotts’ adopted Robert Elliott, the 13th Chief of the Clan was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Find out more about the Elliott Clan at their website. |
FENWICK
Crest Motto | Always faithful |
Area |
English Middle March |
Meaning |
Originally derived from ‘fenn’ (marsh) and ‘wic’ (dairy farm) |
Notable History |
A powerful English family, described as ‘gentlemen’. Often to be found among border They conducted many feuds, including a bitter one with the Elliots. Responsible for |
GRAHAM
Crest Motto | Always faithful |
Clan Badge | Laurel |
Area |
West Marches |
Notable History |
Mostly English, but notoriously fickle to be on either side. Their notorious dual
allegiances caused confusion with little respect for authority. One of the most numerous family in the West Border.
At one point, the Grahams were so infamous that their surnames were banned by law. The |
HENDERSONS
Crest Motto | Virtue alone ennobles |
Area |
On the border between West and Middle Marches |
Notable History |
In the 16th Century, the Hendersons, as allies to larger clans such as the Armstrongs, Find out more on the Henderson Clan Society page. |
JOHNSTON(E) or JOHNSON
Crest Motto | Never unprepared |
Clan Badge | Red hawthron |
Area |
Scottish West Marches |
Meaning |
Son of John, or possibly Johns Tun – a tun being a piece of land. |
Notable History |
A deadly feud between the Maxwells and Johnstones lasted nearly a century
|
KERR (also CARR)
Crest Motto | Late but in ernest |
Area |
Scottish Middle March |
Meaning |
Stems from Old Norse kjarr ‘marsh dweller’ |
Notable History |
Kerrs have been associated with left-handedness, with one of their buildings One of the leading clans of the Middle March, where they frequently ruled as Visit www.clankerr.com for more information
|
MAXWELL
Crest Motto | I flourish again |
Area |
Scottish West March |
Notable History |
The strongest family in the Scottish West March, until the Johnstones reduced |
LITTLE
Clan Badge | Red hawthron |
Area |
Scottish West Marches |
Meaning |
A descriptive name literally meaning ‘little’ or small |
Notable History | The seat of Clan Little is in the Meikledale, a beautiful rural valley in Dumfriesshire. In 1267, Edward Little was the nephew of William Wallace (of ‘Braveheart’ fame) and one of this most notable followers. Find out more at Clan Little's website; www.clanlittlesociety.org |
NIXON
Area |
English Middle March |
Meaning |
Sons of Nicholas |
Notable History |
Often described as having many ‘loose men’. US President Richard Nixon is descendent from the Nixon Border Reivers. |
ROBSON
Crest Motto | Be just and fear not |
Area |
English Middle March |
Meaning |
A local origin name - from Scotland |
Notable History |
One of the leading families of Tynedale, forming a powerful contribution with the The Robsons once stole a large flock of sheep from the Graham family, which, |
SCOTT
Crest Motto | I love |
Meaning |
A local origin name - from Scotland |
Notable History |
One of the most powerful families in the whole Border, active both as reivers and |