Clan Ross
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Clan Ross is a Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV in 1160. The first of the current line of chiefs was Fearchar Mac-an-t-sagairt (meaning "son of the priest") of Applecross, who was created Earl of Ross in about 1234 by King Alexander II of Scotland as a reward for putting down rebellion in the north of Scotland.
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Gaelic names
- Clann Anrias
- Ròs
- Ròis
Origin of name
- Ross-shire
Tartan
Clan Ross has three tartans:
- Red ancient Ross tartan (shown)
- Red dress Ross tartan
- Green Ross hunting tartan (shown)
Chief
Since 1968, David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan
Crest
- A dexter hand holding a garland of laurel, all proper
- Missing image
ClanCrest_Ross.jpg
Image:ClanCrest_Ross.jpg
Motto
- Spem successus alit ("Success nourishes hope")
Plant badge
Pipe music
- The Earl of Ross's March (Play)
Septs of Clan Ross
- Anderson
- Andison
- Andrew
- Corbet
- Crow/e
- Croy
- Denoon
- Denune
- Dingwall
- Duthie
- Fair
- Gair
- Gear
- Gillanders
- Hagart
- Haggart
- MacAndrew
- MacCullie
- MacCulloch
- MacLullich
- MacTaggart
- MacTear
- MacTier
- MacTire
- Munro
- Taggart
- Tullo
- Tulloch
- Tyre
- Vass
- Wass
History
Earl Fearchar's grandson William led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Hugh, the 5th earl, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, and his successor William died without male issue. The earldom of Ross and the chiefship of Clan Ross were then separated:
The earldom of Ross passed through a female line, and that later led to dispute between two rival claimants -- the Lord of the Isles and Regent Albany -- and the title reverted to the crown in 1424. King James I of Scotland restored the title to Margaret, whose son was Alexander, 3rd Lord of the Isles. and the earldom of Ross remained with the Lords of the Isles until that lordship was forfeited to the crown in 1476.
The chiefship passed to Earl William's brother Hugh Ross of Rariches, who was granted a charter, in 1374, for the lands of Balnagowan. The Rosses of Balnagowan held the chiefship for 300+ years. David, the last of that direct line, passed the chiefship to Hon. Charles Ross, son of Lord Ross of Hawkhead, Renfrewshire, although they were not connected by blood.
Balnagowan passed to George, 13th Lord Ross, in 1745. William, 14th Lord Ross, died unmarried, and Balnagowan then passed to Sir James Lockhard, 2nd Baronet of Carstairs. Sir John, the 5th baronet, assumed the name "Ross" and then, after Carstairs was sold in 1762, the designation "of Balnagowan."
The chiefship of Clan Ross devolved upon Ross of Pitcalnie, heir of David who was the last of the direct line of Balnagowan.
Clan Ross Today
- Approximate numbers in various countries: Unknown
- Prominent members: Unknown
- Ancestral lands: The Balnagowan estate itself is no longer in Ross hands. It is currently owned by the millionaire Egyptian proprietor of the Harrods department store who has put a lot of money into improving the estate and restoring the castle.
External Links
- External link: Clan Ross (http://www.scotsheritage.co.uk/ross_clan.htm)
- Clan association (http://www.clanrossassociation.org)
- Clan Ross images (http://www.tainmuseum.org.uk/imagelibrary/list.asp?field=albums&album=Clan%20Ross&crit=21) from the Tain Through Time museum (http://www.tainmuseum.org.uk/)