Clan Henderson/Clan MacKendrick

Clan Henderson or Clan MacKendrick is a highland and lowland Scottish Clan originating in the Glencoe region of Scotland. The surname Henderson means the son of Henry, it is believed that the clan descends from the Pictish prince “big” Henry (MacEanruig), son of King Neachtain. There are five unique branches of the clan that populated the regions of Caithness, Fordell, Glencoe, Liddesdale and Ulster.

The clans motto is Sola Virtus Nobilitat which translates into “Virtue alone ennobles”, and the clan’s crest features a hand, holding a six pointed star, beneath a blue crescent.

The historic seat of the clan is Fordell Castle located near Dalgety Bay in Fife, Scotland. It is known through official records that the Henderson’s had control of the property before 1217 and it is believed that the original castle was built in the 15th century. The castle was extended in 1566 by the third chief of the clan James Henderson. The interior of the castle was renovated in the 1960s and the chapel was renovated in 2000. The estate is currently privately owned and not open for public tours.

The chiefdomship of Clan Henderson died out in 1839 when John Henderson, emigrated from Scotland to Australia. The clan went without a chief for a hundred and forty six years until the Lord Lyon Court recognized Dr. John William Philp Henderson of Fordell as the rightful chief of the clan.

The Henderson’s of Glencoe were known as the hereditary pipers and bodyguards for the MacDonald’s of Glencoe. It is believed that many of the victims of the Massacre of Glencoe, that took place in 1692, were from the Henderson Clan.

In 1986 the Henderson Clan Society of United States and Canada was authorized to form an organization which was formalized in 1988. The society was formed to promote Scottish culture and bring together clan members from around the world.