Clan Keith

Clan Keith is a Scottish clan originating in East Lothian, Aberdeenshire.  According to legend the clan gained its land in 1018 after a Chatti Warrior killed the Danish General Camus in battle.  Scottish King Malcolm II granted this warrior the lands of Keth as a reward.  The surname Keith is derived from the common brittonic word for the Welsh term for wood.

The clan’s motto is Veritas vincit which means, truth conquers, and, the clan crest features a bucks head emerging from a crown.

The historic seat of clan Keith is Keith Marishchal House, located in Humbie, East Lothian.  The house/castle was built in 1589 by the clans chief George Keith, the 5th Earl of Marischal.  The Keiths lost control of the property in the 17th century after their lands were seized by the crown during the Jacobite rebellion.  The current seat of the clan is Keith Hall located in Aberdeenshire.

In 1801 the Lord Lyon King of Arms restored the clans charter by recognizing Keith of Ravelston as the clan chief.  In 1978 the chiefs of the Keith and Gunn clans signed a peace treaty that ended a clan feud that traced back to the 15th century.

There are several Clan Keith organizations around the world with the largest being Clan Keith USA.  The society is a nonprofit organization who’s mandate is to promote education and fellowship among clan members.  The clan has a presence at many highland game events around the world.