Clan Agnew
Motto	Consilio non impetu (By wisdom not by force)
Origins	The origin of the name is disputed but is generally thought to have been of Norman origin, from the Barony d'Agneaux who settled in England, but is recorded as having been in southern Scotland towards the end of the 12th century. It has been suggested that the name may have a Celtic derivation through the Ulster surname of O'Gnimh, which was also anglicised to Agnew. If correct, this would give Agnew a common lineage with Macdonald, Macdougall and the other descendants of Somerled, the 12th century King of the Isles.
Branches	Agnew of Lochnaw
Sept(s)	Agneli Agnex Aignell Aggnew Agnewe Agnew Agneaux Aygnel Angnew Slavan}}}
Arms	An eagle issuant and reguardant Proper
Tartan(s)	{{{tartans}}}
Plant badge	{{{plant badge}}}
Clan chieftain	11th Baronet Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw. Sir Crispin is a leading expert on Scottish clans and is Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the Court of the Lord Lyon.
Clan seat(s)	Lochnaw Castle, no longer in family hands

Clan Agnew is a Scottish clan from Wigtownshire and Galloway in the southwest of Scotland.

History

In 1375 The Agnew Lord of Larne accompanied Edward Bruce, younger brother of King Robert the Bruce to Ireland where he had been invited by the Irish Lords to help rid them of the English and rule in their place. Agnew stayed with Edward for three years while he attempted to establish his power

Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw was granted the lands and constableship of Lochnaw Castle in 1426. In 1451 he was appointed Sheriff of Wigtown, an honour still held by direct descendants today. Another Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547

The fifth Baronet, another Andrew, married a kinswoman, Eleanor Agnew of Lochryan, the union producing no fewer than twentyone children. He was a decorated soldier commanding the 21st Foot, which later became the Royal Scots Fusiliers, at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. George II of Great Britain, the last time a British monarch led troops in battle, remarked to Agnew that French cavalry had been let among his regiment. Sir Andrew replied, "Yes, please your Majesty, but they didna win back again".

During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Sir Andrew held Blair Castle, seat of the Duke of Atholl, against the Jacobite forces. Agnew's forces were near starvation when Charles Edward Stuart called the forces to retreat to Inverness to meet the advance of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland.

In spite of his name, former Vice President of the United States Spiro Agnew is not related to this clan; his name is a shortening of the Greek name Spiros Anagnostopoulos.