Picture credit: Wikimedia
If you’re interested in the Jacobite clans - you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to cover the Jacobite clans and family names, as well as their role in the Battle of Culloden.
The Scottish clan system dates back to the 12th Century. Originally, it encompassed extended networks of families who were loyal to a particular clan chief.
However, anyone who pledged their allegiance to a chief could claim the clan name as their own. This included those who worked for a clan or who sought their protection. When surnames were introduced, many clan members took their clan chief’s name as their surname.
Let’s discuss who the Jacobites were, before jumping into the Jacobite clans.
Who Were The Jacobites?
When the Stuarts were displaced as the ruling house of Scotland, England and Ireland, a rebellion began. Numerous Jacobite clans and other supporters rallied to restore the Stuart name to power.
These supporters were called Jacobites. The name was derived from Jacobus, the Latin word for James. This is where the root of the Jacobite uprising lies. In 1688, James II (also known as James VI) was overthrown.
The British Government and various nobles did not want a converted Catholic king and instead gave the crown to James’ Protestant daughter, Mary.
The most renowned uprising in Scottish history started in 1745, under Bonnie Prince Charlie. Huge numbers of clan nobility and clan members rallied in support of Charlie’s mission. Many clan members gave their lives to the Jacobite cause.
Who Were The Jacobite Clans and Family Names?
Picture credit: Wikimedia
Jacobite Clans And Family Names
In August 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on the island of Eriskay in Scotland. Scottish clans were initially unenthusiastic that he had arrived, as he did so with hardly any troops. These troops were also simply volunteers!
The Prince also had hardly any weapons, due to encounters with British government forces at sea.
As Charlie marched to Moidart, he inspired over 1200 people to join the Jacobite rising. These forces were primarily made up of members of Highland regiments.
These included members of Clan Donald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. Members of Highland Scots Clan Cameron joined here too.
The army marched south from Glenfinnan. In the process, the number of supporters increased to over 3 000.
The following clans rallied for the Jacobite cause:
Clan Chisholm.
Clan Drummond.
Clan Farquharson.
Clan Hay.
Clan Livingstone or MacLea.
Clan MacBain.
Clan MacColl.
Clan MacFie.
Clan MacGillivray.
Clan MacGregor.
Clan MacInnes.
Clan MacKintosh.
Clan MacIver.
Clan MacKinnon.
Clan MacLachlan.
Clan MacLaren.
Clan MacNeil of Barra.
Clan Macpherson.
Clan Menzies.
Clan Ogilvy.
Clan Oliphant.
Clan Robertson.
Clan Stewart of Appin.
Clan MacDonald of Glencoe.
By September 1745, the Jacobite army held Edinburgh.
The French sent weapons, as well as an army, to aid Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobite cause.
In November, an army of 6 000 set out. This army included an Atholl brigade comprised of members of Clan Stewart of Atholl as well as Clan Fergusson.
Picture credit: Wikimedia
A notable number of clan chiefs and their members joined the Jacobite rebellion. These clans included Clan MacLeod of MacLeod, Clan MacLeod of Lewis, Clan MacIntyre, Clan MacKenzie, Clan MacLean, Clan Ramsay, Clan Wemyss, Clan MacTavish, Clan MacMillan, Clan Boyd, Clan Elphinstone, Clan Maxwell, Clan Keith, and Clan Forbes.
Battle Of Culloden
After months of advances, the Jacobite army and its officers reached Derby. However, they had to turn back to Scotland within 150 miles of London. Assurances hadn’t been met, the French invasion fleet hadn’t progressed to where it was needed, and English Jacobite support hadn’t materialised.
In April 1746, the mighty and devastating Battle Of Culloden in the Scottish Highlands took place. This was where the Jacobites were defeated.
Army Make-Up At Culloden
The Jacobite forces were stationed in the following lines:
First line - right wing: Led by Lord George Murray, and comprised of the Atholl Highlanders regiment, Clan Cameron regiment and Clan Stewart of the Appin regiment.
First line - centre wing: Led by Lord John Drummond, the centre line was constructed of men from Clan Fraser of Lovat, Clan Chattan (including Sir Alexander MacGillivray of Dunmaglass), Clan Farquharson, Clan MacLachlan and MacLean regiments. The Clan Edinburgh and Clan Chisholm regiments completed this line.
First line - left wing: This wing was constructed of clan regiments, including those of Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch, Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, and Clan Grant of Glenmorriston.
Picture credit: Wikimedia
Second line: Led by Lieutenant Colonel Walter Stapleton, this line of regiments was comprised of the Angus and Irish Piquet’s regiments, the Duke of Perth’s regiment, the first and second regiments of Clan Gordon, and the Regiment Eccosais Royeaux.
Third line: The third and final line was constructed of men from Pitsligo’s and Kilmarnock's regiments, Lord Elcho’s Horse and FitzJames’s Horse.
The final Battle Of Culloden saw the Prince’s artillery outnumbered three to one by the British army. This government army actually included arch-enemies of Clan Donald - Clan Campbell.
The exhausted men of the Jacobite rising didn’t stand a chance of winning against the government troops. In under one hour, 1250 Jacobites had been killed.
A similar number had been wounded and 558 Jacobites were taken prisoner. This is a sobering end to a story of resistance and resilience.
Today, the Stuarts are survived by descendants of relatives. There are still those who support the ideas that the Stuarts should never have been removed from their position of power.
If you’re interested in the Battle of Culloden, you might enjoy these articles on did the Jacobites win and Jacobite weapons.
Picture credit: Wikimedia
Final Thoughts
The Jacobite clans were very active in the Jacobite uprisings. Jacobites supported the Stuart monarchy and rebelled against King James being overthrown. These supporters include both highland clans and lowland clans.
Jacobite unrest lasted from 1688 to the final battle in 1746. Jacobites saw some success in battles leading up to the Battle of Culloden. However, the Stuarts never returned as the ruling monarchy.
From Clan MacDonald to Clan Menzies, many Jacobite clans played a role in this pivotal moment in Scottish history. We hope you’ve found the answers you were looking for!