Clan Davidson

Clan Davidson is a highland Scottish Clan that originates in the Spey River Valley near the town of Avimore in Scotland. Davidson is a patronymic surname that means “son of David”. It is believed that the Davidson’s began as a branch of Clan Cumming and broke away after the Cummings defeat by Robert the Bruce in the 14th century. David Dubh of Invernahaven is considered to be the progenitor of the clan, he was married to the daughter of the chief a Clan Mackintosh. The clan is considered to be one of the founding members of the Chattan Confederation an organization, that unites twelve separate clans under a superior chief, for the purpose of mutual solidarity and protection.

The motto of the clan is “Sapienter si sincere” which means “Wisely if sincerely”, and the clan’s crest features a stags head.

The historic seat of the clan is Tulloch Castle which is located in the town of Dingwall Scotland. The Castle was built in the 16th century by the Bain Family. It was acquired by Henry Davidson in 1762. The Davidson’s lost ownership of the castle in 1917 upon Duncan Davidson’s death. The castle is now used as a hotel and convention center.

After Duncan VI of Tulloch died in 1917, without a male heir, the chiefship of the clan was vacant and disputed for the next eighty years. In 1996 the Lord Lyon Court awarded the chiefdomship to Duncan Hector Davidson of New Zealand.

The original Clan Davidson Association was formed in 1909 as the Clan Dhai Association. The Clan Davidson Society of North America was created in the late 1970s by Colonel Floyd Stayner and now claims to have over 500 members throughout the continent. There are also organizations in the Uk, Australia and New Zealand.

Septs and Dependents – Davie, Davis, Dawson, Kay, Keay, MacDade, MacDavid, MacAye.