Clan MacKinlay

Clan MacKinlay is a Highland Scottish Clan originating in the Lennox District of Scotland.  The name MacKinlay is derived from the Gaelic name MacFhinnlaigh which translates into “Son of Fair Hero”.  The oldest account of the family is from the Buchanan of Auchmar in 1723 who stated that the family descends from the Buchanan‘s of Drumkill.  According to the Scottish Council of Clans the Mackinlay family also has hereditary relationships with Clan MacFarlane, Clan Farquharson and Clan Stewart of Appin.  It is believed that a man named Finlay first settled near Callander, Perthshire in the year 1600.  He had several sons who were the first to adopt the surname MacKinlay.

The Clans motto is Ne quid nimis which translates to “Not Too Much”, and the crest features A dexter hand and arm in armour embowed the hand holding a wreath of heather all proper.

The Historic seat of the clan would be “The Anie” which translates to the “Ford of the Stag”, located near Callander, Scotland.  It is believed that the MacKinlay family lived in this area from the late 16th century up until at least 1894.  The old Churchyard of St. Bride’s was the traditional burying place for the MacKinlay’s, the only remaining standing headstone is of James McKinlay who died in 1825.  A map from 1783 indicates that there were two settlements in Anie (Upper and Lower).  Lower Anie no longer exists but a 19th century farmhouse remains in Upper Anie.   It is believed that the 25th President of the United States, William McKinlay is descended from Anie.

In 1893, there was a gathering of the MacKinlay Clan at the Kansas State building, in Topeka, Kansas set to correspond with the Chicago World Fair.    During this meeting, which they claimed was the first gathering of MacKinlay’s since the battle of Culloden in 1745, they elected a chief for life, Dr. L. D. McKinley, who was the organizer of the gathering.  There was at least 50 MacKinlays present at the governing meetings of the clan and possibly up to 1000 showed up at the events.  One of the speakers was then, Governor of Ohio and soon to be president, William McKinlay.  There has been several gathering since the first in one in 1893, with the last one appearing to take place in Linton, Temora, New South Wales, Australia in 1976.