Clan Agnew

Clan Agnew is a lowland Scottish clan originating in Galloway, Scotland. The surname Agnew is believed to be of Norman origin and may have been descended from the Agneaux or Aygenll families from the Barony of d’Agneaux. The first recorded evidence of the Agnew family in Scotland was William de Aigneus who had witnessed a charter in 1200. In the 15th century Andrew Agnew was given the position of constable and gained land in Galloway. He became Andrew Agnew the 1st of Lochnaw.

The motto of the clan is Consilio Non Impetu which translates into “By wisdom, not by rashness”, and the clans crest features an Eagle.

The historic seat of the clan is Locknaw Castle in the town of Stranraer, Wigtownshire. It was originally built in the 16th century to replace an older castle. The original castle was given to the Agnews in the 14th century but within 30 years it was attacked by the Douglas clan and dismantled. The Agnew’s lived in Locknaw castle until World War II when it was abandoned and eventually fell into ruins. It has been recently purchased by new owners who are in the process of restoring it.

The Agnew Association was formed in 1979 at the request of the chief of clan Agnew. The purpose of the organization was to ” bring together all of the name”. The first general meeting of the association took place on Saturday, September 1st, 1979 at the Lonsdale Terrace in Edinburgh, where a board of directors was elected. Branches of the clan society now exist in Australia, Ireland, United States, Canada and Scotland.

Further Reading:

The Top Ten Brutal Scottish Clan Massacres
Top 10 Haunted Scottish Castles
Top 10 Surprising facts you may not know about Scottish Clans