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3 Celts & Company • "MACGREGOR"

Recorded in Glen Orchy from about the 12th century, and spreading to Glenstrae and several Perthshire glens, the MacGregors take their motto (Is Rioghal mo dhream), 'My race is Royal,' from a traditional ancestor Gregor or Girig of the ancient Clan Alpin dynasty. They held doggedly to the old Celtic clan rule of defending possession by the sword, in defience of 'sheepskin' feudal charters obtained through marriage or more dubious means by powerful neighbours having a closer approach to the government's ear--notably the Campbells, Grahams and Colquhouns. After a defeat of these last at Glen Fruin in 1603, there came a long succession of vindictive edicts, formenting and taking full excuse from the MacGregors' spirit of untamed resentment. The clan was outlawed, and a ban on using their surname not lifted until 1784: except in the time of the Stewart Restoration, in recognition of their loyal services with Montrose. From these prescriptions arose the many 'septs' names then adopted by scattered groups of MacGregors--also the remarkable career of Rob Roy, and Scott's stirring song 'The MacGregors' Gathering.'

Septs: ARROWSMITH, BLACK, BOWER, BOWMAKER, CAIRD, COMRIE, DENNISON, DENSON, DOCHART, DOCHERTY, DOWIE, FLETCHER, GAIR, GREGOR, GREGORSON, GREGORY, GREIG, GREWAR, GREYSON, GRIER, GRIERSON, GRIGOR, GRUER, KING, LAIKIE, LECKIE, LECKY, MACADAM, MACAINSH, MACALDOWIE, MACALESTER, MACANGUS, MACANISH, MACARA, MACAREE, MACCAINSH, MACCANCE, MACCANSH, MACCONACHIE, MACCONDACH, MACCONDOCHIE, MACCROUTHER, MACGREWAR, MACGRIGOR, MACGROUTHER, MACGREWAR, MACGRIGOR, MACGROUTHER, MACGREWAR, MACGRIGOR, MACGROUTHER, MACGRUDER, MACGRUTHER, MACGRUER, MACGRUTHER, MACILDOWIE, MACILDUFF, MACILDUY, MACINNES, MACINSTALKER, MACLEISTER, MACLIVER, MACNAY, MACNEA, MACNEE, MACNEICE, MACNEISH, MACNESS, MACNEY, MACNIE, MACNIESH, MACNISH, MACNOCAIRD, MACNUCATOR, MACONACHIE, MACPETER, MACPETRIE, MALLOCH, NEISH, NICE, NISH, NUCATOR, ORR, PATTULLO, PEAT, PETER, PETERS, PETERSON, PETRIE, SKINNER, STALKER, STRINGER, WALKER, WHITE, WHYTE

"MACGREGOR." Scots Kith and Kin and Illustrated Map Revised Second Edition. Edinburgh, SCOT: Clan House, c.1970. p.68,69. Print.

keywords[x] tartan, wool, kilts, MacGregor, clan, septs