Burnett of Leys
Clan Burnett is a Lowland Scottish clan from Deeside, near Banchory in Northeast Scotland. From the early 14th century to the mid 16th century the family occupied a lake dwelling on the Loch of Leys, and resided here or on land near the lake for over 200 years. It is from this lake that the family eventually acquired the title "of Leys".
Origins
The family's exact origin is debated to this day, as the origin of the surname Burnett itself is disputed. It has been proposed that Burnett is derived from the Old French burnete, brunette, which is a diminutive of brun meaning "brown", "dark brown". Another proposed origin of the name is from burnete, a high quality wool cloth originally dyed to a dark brown colour. There is also evidence which suggests that Burnett stems from the English surname of Burnard, a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon name "Beornheard". The latter theory is accepted by the National Trust for Scotland, which traces the Burnetts of Leys to an original Alexander Burnard of English ancestry, who had arrived in Deeside by 1323. On this topic the Trust states: "There is proof beyond all reasonable doubt that the Saxon family of Burnard, which flourished in England before the Norman Conquest, were forbearers of the first Alexander Burnard who settled on Deeside". In support of this theory, evidence has been gathered from the Domesday Survey, the Chartulary of St. Neots, and certain charters of the Abbey of Waltham, to trace the Burnard family from the Norman Conquest to the thirteenth century.
History
In this time The Burnards are seen to migrate north to the Scottish border country with a number of other Norman English families during the reign of David I. They soon move on to the Northeast of Scotland, where Alexander Burnard settled near Banchory. This Alexander Burnard is considered "The first of the Deeside Burnards, or Burnetts as they were later called". Alexander was a follower the famous Robert the Bruce, who "took the throne (as Robert I) and freed Scotland from the yoke of English rule". For his services to the king he was rewarded in 1323 with land in Banchory and a position as the Royal Forester of Drum.. This is when the Burnard or Burnett family first took up residence on an artificial island called a crannog, on the Loch of Leys.
The history of the family from this time onward is recorded in detail. During the next three centuries the Burnetts came to gain prominence in the area by making connections with the church, and acquiring more land. By the early 17th century Crathes Castle had been commissioned by the family and completed. Crathes remained in the ownership of the Burnett family descendants for over 300 years, until 1952 when it was given to the National Trust for Scotland as part of Scotland's heritage.
Clan profile
- Clan chief: The current chief of the clan is James Comyn Amherst Burnett of Leys.
- Chiefly arms: The chief's coat of arms is blazoned: Argent, three holly leaves in chief vert and a hunting horn in base sable, garnished or, stringed gules. Supporters: A Highlander in hunting garb and a greyhound. Crest: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested vert doubled argent, pruning a vine tree with a pruning knife, proper. Motto: Virescit vulnere virtus (from Latin: "courage flourishes at a wound"). Slogan: Alterius pon sit qui suus esse potest (from French: "let him not be another's who can be his own").
- Clan member's crest badge: The crest badge suitable for members of the clan contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested Vert doubled Argent pruning a vinetree with a pruning knife Proper. The motto is: Virescit vulnere virtus. The motto can translate from Latin as "her virtue flourishes by her wounds" or "courage flourishes at a wound".
- Branches of the clan: There are several branches of Clan Burnett; these include the Burnetts of Barns, the Burnetts of Crimond, the Ramsays of Balmain, the Burnetts of Monboddo, the Burnetts of Craigmyle, and the Burnetts of Kemnay.
- Clan tartan: The are two recognised clan tartans: "Burnett of Leys Dress" and "Burnett of Leys Hunting".
