Clan Cunningham

Clan Cunningham is a lowland Scottish Clan originating in the Ayrshire district. The surname Cunningham likely developed from the place name Cunninghame, which was derived from the words cunny, which means rabbit, and hame, meaning home, therefore the Cunningham etymology is “rabbit’s home”. According to legend, the first people to adopt the surname Cunningham were Warnebald and his son Robertus, sometime in the 12th century, after they received a grant of land in Cunninghame. It is believed that the Cunningham Clan, led by Harvey de Cunninghame aided Alexander III in his battle against the vikings in 1263. The Cunningham’s were also supporters of Robert the Bruce in the First War of Scottish Independence.

The motto of the clan is “over fork over”, The clan’s motto is said to have be derived from a traditional clan story that Malcolm, son of Friskin, helped Prince Malcolm escape death by hiding him under hay. The motto “over fork over” would symbolize the deed of burying the prince with a pitch fork. The the clans crest features a unicorn’s head.

The historic seat of Clan Cunningham is Finlaystone Castle in the village of Langbank, Renfrewshire. The Castle was originally owned by the Dennistoun family and was passed to the Cunningham’s through marriage in the 15th century. In 1796 the chief of Clan Cunningham died without an heir and the castle was passed to a cousin Robert Graham. In 1862 the Grahams sold the property and it has passed though many hands until the early 20th century when it was purchased by the MacMillan Chief and became the current seat of that clan.

After the chief’s death in 1976 the chiefship of the clan became dormant for over 200 years. In 2013 Sir John Christopher Foggo Montgomery Cunninghame, Baronet of Corsehill, was recognized by the Lord Lyon Court as the rightful clan chief.

Clan Cunningham International was founded in 2002 and is open to all Cunningham’s, descendants and associated families of the clan around the world. The society is a member of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations.

Further Reading:
Clan Feud – Montgomery vs. Cunningham