Clan Leslie
Clan Leslie is a lowland Scottish clan originating in the Aberdeenshire district of Scotland. The progenitor of the clan is a Hungarian nobleman named Bartolf, he arrived in Scotland in 1067. Bartolf was employed by Edgar II, who was born in Hungary but had a claim on the throne of England. Bartlolf arrived in Scotland with Edgar.
The clan’s motto is grip fast, and the crest features a demi griffin, armed, beaked and winged.
The historic seat of clan Leslie is Balquhain Castle located west of Inverurie. The castle was built in the 14th century and was the family stronghold until it was sacked by the Forbes Clan in the 16th century. The castle was rebuilt by the Leslies but was again destroyed and abandoned in the 18th century after the Jacobite defeat at Culloden. The current seat of the clan is Wardhill Castle in Meikle Wartle.
Bartolf, the clan’s first chief, was granted lands by Malcolm III in Fife, Angus, The Mearns and Aberdeenshire. Bartolf’s great grandson, Sir Norman Lesley expanded the clans holdings in 1282 by acquiring the lands of Fythkill. The clan again expanded their properties in 1320 by supporting Robert the Bruce in his battle against Clan Comyn.
The Clan Leslie society was formed by Alexander Leslie Klieforth in 1978 at the request of the clan Chief. The society quickly expanded to over 600 members and it was decided to reform into an international organization. The purpose of the society is to “promote, foster, collect and preserve historical and genealogical records and information about descendants of Clan Leslie throughout the world.”
Septs. and Dependents – Abernethy
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