Clan Farquharson

Clan Farquharson of Invercauld is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan hails from Aberdeenshire and was a member of the Chattan Confederation.

Origin of name

• Farquhar - from the Gaelic 'fear' and 'char' meaning 'dear one'.
• Fhionnlaigh - from the Gaelic 'fionn' and 'laoch' meaning 'bright warrior'.

The name derives its name from Farquhar Shaw, 4th son of Alexander "Ciar" Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus, 5th Chief of the Clan Shaw, who settled in the Braes of Mar, the source of the River Dee. His descendants took the name Farquharson.

History

Farquhar Shaw's son married Isobel Stewart, heiress of Invercauld, however, it was their son, Finla Mor who has become known as the first real Farquharson. He was killed during the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, aged 60, while performing the duty of the King's Standard Bearer.

His nine sons ensured that the clan became numerous and influential. In 1595 the clan entered a bond of manrent with the Clan MacKintosh, so also associating themselves with the Chattan Confederation.

At the end of the sixteenth century the Erskines attempted to reclaim the Earldom of Mar. Jon Erskine, who styled himself Earl of Mar, built Braemar Castle in 1628 to defend himself against the claims of the Farquharsons. The castle passed into the hands of the Farquharsons and remains the clan seat to this day.

Jacobite Rebellion

The Farquharsons were staunch supporters of the House of Stuart and in 1689, John Farquharson of Inverey declared for John Graham of Claverhouse, Bonnie Dundee. He burned Braemar Castle and was a source of irritation to the government until his death in 1698. During the 1715 Rebellion, John Farquharson of Invercauld supported the Clan Chattan and was a colonel of the regiment in support of James Francis Edward Stuart.

During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Angus, the chief of Clan MacKintosh, was a serving member of the British Black Watch however while he was away on duty his wife, Lady Anne Mackintosh, daughter of Invercauld was a supporter of Charles Edward Stuart and ensured that 350 members of the Clan Chattan Regiment fought at the Battle of Culloden on the side of the Jacobites. During her husband's absence, she successfully rallied the Clan Mackintosh to their Chattan allies including Clan Farquarson. Angus was captured at the Battle of Prestonpans and was paroled to his wife. She famously greeted him with the words, "Your servant, captain" to which he replied, "your servant, colonel" thereby giving her the nickname Colonel Anne.

Gaelic names

• Mac Fhionnlaigh Mor

Crest

• On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a demi-lion Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Proper

Motto

• Fide et Fortitudine ("By Fidelity and Fortitude")
• (On compartment) I force nae freen, I fear nae foe

Tartans

• 4 different Farquharson tartans

Septs of Clan Farquharson

• Barrie
• Bowman
• Brebner
• Christie
• Christison
• Christy
• Coates
• Coats
• Coutts
• Cromar
• Farquhar
• Ferries
• Findlay
• Findlayson
• Findlaison
• Finlay
• Finlayson
• Gracie
• Grassick
• Greusach
• Hardie
• Hardy
• Kellas
• Kerracher
• Leys
• Lion(s)
• Lyon(s)
• MacArtney
• MacGaig
• MacCartney
• MacCuaig
• MacEaracher
• MacErcher
• MacErracher
• MacFarquhar
• MacFerchar
• MacHardie
• MacHardy
• MacKerchar
• MacKerracher
• MacKindlay
• MacKinlay
• MacKinley
• MacWade
• Paterson
• Patterson
• Reiach
• Reoch
• Riach
• Tawse

Clan Farquharson Today

• Approximate numbers in various countries: Unknown
• Prominent members: Unknown
• Ancestral lands: Braemar Castle and estate remains in the hands of the clan. It consists of around 20,000 acres (81 km²) of forest and heath in Grampian.
• Chief : since 1941, Captain Alwyn Compton Farquharson of Invercauld.

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