Clan Cumming/Clan Comyn

Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a central highland clan that was at one point considered the most powerful family in Scotland. The clan is of Norman descent and the family name is thought to be derived from Comines in Flanders. Robert de Comyn was the first of his clan to arrive in Great Briton, following William the Conqueror. Roberts’s great-nephew is considered to be the propagator of the clan in Scotland.

The motto of Clan Cumming is Courage, and, the crest features a lion rampant with a dagger in it’s paw.

Clan Cumming has two historic seats, the first is, Inverlochy Castle, located near Inverlochy in the highlands, it was built by John “the black’ Comyn in the late 13th century. The Comyn’s lost control of the castle to the Camerons in 1431. The second historic seat is Lochindorb castle located in Strathspey. The castle was built upon an artificially created island. This castle was lost in the early 14th century and was passed to the Stewart clan.

During the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century, John “the Red” Comyn, was considered to be the most powerful man in Scotland. John Comyn was the co-leader of the Scottish forces in their battle against the English after the death of William Wallace. John was killed or murdered by Robert the Bruce in 1306 during a dispute over the claim to the throne. The Comyn’s and the Bruce’s descended into a conflict that eventually saw the Comyn’s final defeat at Inverurie in 1308 at the hands of the Bruces and their allies.

On April 15, 1997 the Clan Cumming Society of the United States was founded. This Society’s goal is to preserve the history and heritage of the clan and to united clan members from North American and around the world. Clan members will visit various highland games and publishes a quarterly newsletter called An Cuimean.