Clan Campbell of Cawdor

Clan Campbell of Cawdor is a highland Scottish clan. While the clan is recognised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, the clan does not have a clan chief recognised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Also, because the clan does not have a clan chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms it is considered an armigerous clan.

In 1510, Muriel, daughter of John, 7th Thane of Caddell (or Calder), married Sir John Campbell, third son of the 2nd Earl of Argyll. From 1524 to 1546, Sir John Campbell of Caddell lived at Caddell Castle, until his death. After Muriel's death in 1573, the Thanedom was resigned in favour of her grandson, John Campbell. In the 17th century, Sir John Campbell of Caddell sold Croy and disposed of Ferintosh to Lord Lovat, in order to buy the Isle of Islay. Islay was held by the Campbells of Caddell from 1612-1726 when it was bought by Daniel Campbell of Shawfield. Sir John Campbell, 8th of Caddell, married Mary, eldest daughter of Lewis Pryce (or Pryse) of Gogerddan in Cardiganshire. Campbell of Cawdor died in 1777 and was succeeded by his son, Pryse Campbell of Caddell, who was a MP for Cromartyshire and Nairnshire. His son, John, was made Lord Caddell of Castlemartin in 1797. On his death in 1821, he was succeeded by his son, John Fredrick Campbell, 1st Earl of Cawdor. From the 1st Earl of Cawdor descend the Earls of Cawdor. (Source: records of the Scottish Privy Council, 1613–1616)

The name "Cawdor" is the English pronunciation and spelling of the ancient and original name of Caddell. In the lowlands, the name was pronounced Calder, so that if someone moved from the highlands to Edinburgh, their name would change from Caddell to Calder. In the early 19th century, Lord John Campbell of Caddell was residing in England and changed the name of the castle, town and clan overnight so that it would match the Shakespearian designation (reference: Cawdor Historical Society).

A modern clan member's crest badge contains the heraldic motto: BE MINDFUL. The Campbell of Cawdor tartan is very similar to other "Campbell" tartans. This tartan did not originally have a name, until it was called an "Argyle" tartan in 1789. It wasn't until W. and A. Smith's book was published, in 1850, that was this tartan actually named "Campbell of Cawdor". The Campbell of Cawdor tartan is one of several tartans officially authorised by the chief of Clan Campbell.