Clan Chisholm

The Chisholm Clan is a highland Scottish clan, thought to be of Norman and Saxon origin.  According to legend the family emigrated to Scotland sometime after the Norman conquest.  The name is derived from the Norman French word chese, meaning“to choose”, and the Saxon word holm, which means“meadow”.

The Clan’s motto is Feros ferio, which means, I am fierce with the fierce, and, the badge crest features a hand holding a dagger through a boars head.  The chiefs of the clan have been traditionally known as “The Chisholm”

The earliest recorded history of the family goes back to 1296 when Richard de Chesehelme’s name appears in the Ragman Rolls, subscribing allegiance to King Edward I of England.

It is said that the Chisholm clan was granted land in Inverness-shire, Scotland in the 14th century after two brothers saved the life of the Scottish King from a wild boar.

The historic seat of clan Chisholm was Erchless Castle near Struy on the River Beauly.  Erchless Castle was build in the 13th century by the Bissetts but was aquired by the Chisholm’s in the 15th century through marriage.  The highland property holdings of the clan were located in Comar and Strathglass where it is located. The castle was sold in 1937 after the last member of the Chisholm’s direct line passed away.

In the 18th century the Chisholms fought for Prince Charles and the Jacobites at Culloden, it is said that only fifty men from their fighting force survived the battle.   Three of the seven men that hid the Prince after the battle were from the Chisholm family.

The Clan Chisholm Society was founded at the end of the 19th century by Chief James Chisholm.  The mission of the society is to preserve the clans heritage and to connect members from around the world.  The clan has branches in five countries and plans international gatherings every so many years.