Clan MacQueen
Encyclopedia
Clan Macqueen is a Scottish clan
, formally known as MacSween, one of the ancient West Highland and Hebridean Warrior Kindreds. The clan does not have a chief
recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
. Because of this, the clan is considered an armigerous clan
, and as such Clan Macqueen has no standing under Scots Law
. The clan is originally of Hebridean
origin, and was incorrectly associated with the Macdonalds, who collaborated with the Anglo-Norman Robert Bruce and gained land and power at the expense of the MacSweens, who remained firm in their opposition to the Anglo-Normanisation of the Scottish Court of the Canmore Kings. In the 15th century several Macqueens settled in lands controlled by Clan Chattan. Since then, many Macqueens have lived in the north-east of Scotland. These Macqueens were followers of Clan Chattan, and were known as Clan Revan. The leading family of these Macqueens were the Macqueens of Corrybrough. Sometime in the 18th century the leading family suffered financial difficulties and lost its lands of Corrybrough.
. For example, it has been suggested that the surname is derived from the Gaelic personal names Suibhne and Conn. The similarly spelt surname Macquien, is considered to be often confused with, and wrongly represented by Macqueen. Most likely, however, is that the name is actually a different pronunciation of the name MacSween; the letter 'S' being aspirated after the prefix 'Mac'. Therefore, MacSween becomes MacQueen. The chiefly line of the MacSweens, based at Castle Sween in Knapdale, were forced into exile after their opposition to Robert The Bruce. In 1310 John MacSween led a celebrated but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to retake Castle Sween and their territory in Knapdale. The chiefly line conquered territory in Ireland and became fosterers and protectors of the O'Donnells, with whom they were linked by marriage. The Skipness MacSweens moved to England, where they held lands adjacent to the Balliols and Comyns in Durham. Many of the clan scattered and today the original name is found mainly on Harris and Scalpay. In Ireland, the name MacSween became McSweeney, MacSwiney, MacSwinny and other similar names.
, Malcolm Beg Mackintosh, married Mora Macdonald of Moidart
. When the Macdonald bride travelled from Macdonald lands to Mackintosh lands, she was accompanied by her kinsmen including Revan Mac Mulmor Mac Angus MacQueen. His descendants settled in the Strathearn area, acquiring the lands of Corrybrough, and became members of the Clan Chattan Confederacy. The Macqueens were subsequently known as Clan Revan.
The principal family of the Macqueens of "Clan Revan" were the Lairds of Corrybrough. On April 4, 1609 Donald Macqueen of Corrybrough signed a bond of manrent
with several other chiefs of clans which composed of Clan Chattan, where they bound themselves to support Angus Mackintosh of that ilk as their captain and leader.
Cadet branches of the Macqueens Corrybrough occupied lands in the valley of Findhorn
in . The lands of Corrybrough seem to have passed from the Macqueens in the last half of the 18th century. Following financial difficulties the chiefly line is thought to have emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand, and although the Chiefly lineage did not die out, there has been no formal application for the Chiefship.
.png)
Today members of Scottish clans show their clan allegiance by wearing Scottish crest badge
s, clan tartans and sometimes clan badges (plant badges)
. The crest badge suitable for members of Clan Macqueen contains the heraldic crest of an heraldic tyger rampant Ermine
holding an arrow, point downwards Argent
pheoned Gules
. The heraldic motto that appears upon the crest badge is CONSTANT AND FAITHFUL. Another badge sometimes used by clan members is a clan badge (or plant badge). Several different clan badges have been attributed to various Macqueens. The Macqueens associated with Clan Chattan are attributed boxwood
and red whortleberry as a clan badge. Many other Scottish clans which are closely associated with Clan Chattan have been attributed the same plants. The Macqueens of Skye
, on the other hand, have common heath attributed as their clan badge. Common heath is the clan badge of many of the clans associated with Clan Donald
.
The Macqueen tartan was first published in 1842, in the Vestiarium Scoticum
. The Vestiarium was the work of the dubious "Sobieski Stuarts" and is today considered a Victorian era hoax. The tartan is supposedly that of Clan Revan, being named after Revan MacMulmor MacAngus MacQueen who led a Macdonald bride to be married to a chief of Clan Mackintosh. The Scottish Tartans World Register (STWR) notes that the Macqueen tartan is similar to the Fraser and Gunn tartans, which both have four bold stripes. However, the STWR considers it to be a combination of the Macdonald and Mackintosh tartans. The tartan scholar D. C. Stewart noted that the Macqueen tartan is the reverse of the MacKeane tartan, possibly because of the two similar sounding names, even though both names have a different history.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
, formally known as MacSween, one of the ancient West Highland and Hebridean Warrior Kindreds. The clan does not have a chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
. Because of this, the clan is considered an armigerous clan
Armigerous clan
An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
, and as such Clan Macqueen has no standing under Scots Law
Scots law
Scots law is the legal system of Scotland. It is considered a hybrid or mixed legal system as it traces its roots to a number of different historical sources. With English law and Northern Irish law it forms the legal system of the United Kingdom; it shares with the two other systems some...
. The clan is originally of Hebridean
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
origin, and was incorrectly associated with the Macdonalds, who collaborated with the Anglo-Norman Robert Bruce and gained land and power at the expense of the MacSweens, who remained firm in their opposition to the Anglo-Normanisation of the Scottish Court of the Canmore Kings. In the 15th century several Macqueens settled in lands controlled by Clan Chattan. Since then, many Macqueens have lived in the north-east of Scotland. These Macqueens were followers of Clan Chattan, and were known as Clan Revan. The leading family of these Macqueens were the Macqueens of Corrybrough. Sometime in the 18th century the leading family suffered financial difficulties and lost its lands of Corrybrough.
Origin of the name
There have been numerous different origins given for the surname MacqueenMcQueen (surname)
McQueen, Mcqueen, and MacQueen, Macqueen are English-language surnames derived from Scottish Gaelic. There have been several differing etymologies given for the surnames; as well as several differing ways to represent the surname in modern Scottish Gaelic...
. For example, it has been suggested that the surname is derived from the Gaelic personal names Suibhne and Conn. The similarly spelt surname Macquien, is considered to be often confused with, and wrongly represented by Macqueen. Most likely, however, is that the name is actually a different pronunciation of the name MacSween; the letter 'S' being aspirated after the prefix 'Mac'. Therefore, MacSween becomes MacQueen. The chiefly line of the MacSweens, based at Castle Sween in Knapdale, were forced into exile after their opposition to Robert The Bruce. In 1310 John MacSween led a celebrated but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to retake Castle Sween and their territory in Knapdale. The chiefly line conquered territory in Ireland and became fosterers and protectors of the O'Donnells, with whom they were linked by marriage. The Skipness MacSweens moved to England, where they held lands adjacent to the Balliols and Comyns in Durham. Many of the clan scattered and today the original name is found mainly on Harris and Scalpay. In Ireland, the name MacSween became McSweeney, MacSwiney, MacSwinny and other similar names.
History of the clan
During the 15th century the Macqueens were followers of the Clan Macdonald of Clanranald. During this era the tenth chief of Clan MackintoshClan MacKintosh
Clan Mackintosh is a Scottish clan from Inverness with strong Jacobite ties. The Mackintoshes were also chiefs of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
, Malcolm Beg Mackintosh, married Mora Macdonald of Moidart
Moidart
Moidart is a district in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.Moidart lies to the west of Fort William and is very remote. Loch Shiel cuts off the south-east boundary of the district. Moidart includes the townships of Dorlin, Mingarry, Kinlochmoidart and Glenuig. At Dorlin is located the ancient fortress...
. When the Macdonald bride travelled from Macdonald lands to Mackintosh lands, she was accompanied by her kinsmen including Revan Mac Mulmor Mac Angus MacQueen. His descendants settled in the Strathearn area, acquiring the lands of Corrybrough, and became members of the Clan Chattan Confederacy. The Macqueens were subsequently known as Clan Revan.
The principal family of the Macqueens of "Clan Revan" were the Lairds of Corrybrough. On April 4, 1609 Donald Macqueen of Corrybrough signed a bond of manrent
Manrent
Manrent refers to a Scottish mid 15th century to the early 17th century type of contract, usually military in nature and involving Scottish clans...
with several other chiefs of clans which composed of Clan Chattan, where they bound themselves to support Angus Mackintosh of that ilk as their captain and leader.
Cadet branches of the Macqueens Corrybrough occupied lands in the valley of Findhorn
Findhorn
Findhorn is a village in Moray, Scotland. It is located on the eastern shore of Findhorn Bay and immediately south of the Moray Firth. Findhorn is 3 miles northwest of Kinloss, and about 5 miles by road from Forres....
in . The lands of Corrybrough seem to have passed from the Macqueens in the last half of the 18th century. Following financial difficulties the chiefly line is thought to have emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand, and although the Chiefly lineage did not die out, there has been no formal application for the Chiefship.
Modern clan symbolism
Scottish crest badge
A Scottish crest badge is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to an individual or membership in a specific Scottish clan. Crest badges are commonly called clan crests, but this is a misnomer; there is no such thing as a collective clan crest, just as there is no such thing as a clan coat of...
s, clan tartans and sometimes clan badges (plant badges)
Clan badge
A clan badge, sometimes called a plant badge, is a badge or emblem, usually a sprig of a specific plant, that is used to identify a member of a particular Scottish clan. They are usually worn in a bonnet behind the Scottish crest badge, or attached at the shoulder of a lady's tartan sash...
. The crest badge suitable for members of Clan Macqueen contains the heraldic crest of an heraldic tyger rampant Ermine
Ermine (heraldry)
Ermine is a heraldic fur representing the winter coat of the stoat . Many skins would be sewn together to make a luxurious garment, producing a pattern of small black spots on a white field...
holding an arrow, point downwards Argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
pheoned Gules
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
. The heraldic motto that appears upon the crest badge is CONSTANT AND FAITHFUL. Another badge sometimes used by clan members is a clan badge (or plant badge). Several different clan badges have been attributed to various Macqueens. The Macqueens associated with Clan Chattan are attributed boxwood
Buxus
Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box or boxwood ....
and red whortleberry as a clan badge. Many other Scottish clans which are closely associated with Clan Chattan have been attributed the same plants. The Macqueens of Skye
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
, on the other hand, have common heath attributed as their clan badge. Common heath is the clan badge of many of the clans associated with Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
.
The Macqueen tartan was first published in 1842, in the Vestiarium Scoticum
Vestiarium Scoticum
The Vestiarium Scoticum was first published by William Tait of Edinburgh in a limited edition in 1842...
. The Vestiarium was the work of the dubious "Sobieski Stuarts" and is today considered a Victorian era hoax. The tartan is supposedly that of Clan Revan, being named after Revan MacMulmor MacAngus MacQueen who led a Macdonald bride to be married to a chief of Clan Mackintosh. The Scottish Tartans World Register (STWR) notes that the Macqueen tartan is similar to the Fraser and Gunn tartans, which both have four bold stripes. However, the STWR considers it to be a combination of the Macdonald and Mackintosh tartans. The tartan scholar D. C. Stewart noted that the Macqueen tartan is the reverse of the MacKeane tartan, possibly because of the two similar sounding names, even though both names have a different history.
Associated Names and Septs
The following names are historically associated with Clan MacQueen or represent variant spellings of the name:- MacCunn
- MacSwan
- MacSwen
- MacSween
- MacSwyde
- Sween
- Swan
See also
- Clan Chattan
- McQueenMcQueen-People:*McQueen , the surnames McQueen, Mcqueen, MacQueen, Mcqueen.*Alexander McQueen, British fashion designer**Alexander McQueen , Fashion house founded by Alexander McQueen.*Steve McQueen, American actorFictional characters...
, things named McQueen, MacQueen. - McQueen (surname)McQueen (surname)McQueen, Mcqueen, and MacQueen, Macqueen are English-language surnames derived from Scottish Gaelic. There have been several differing etymologies given for the surnames; as well as several differing ways to represent the surname in modern Scottish Gaelic...
, the surnames McQueen, MacQueen.