Clan MacQuarrie

Clan MacQuarrie is a Highland Scottish Clan originating in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.  They are considered to be one of the Siol Alpin clans, which is a group of seven clans that claim to be descended from Kenneth MacAlpin, father of Cináed mac Ailpín , King of the Picts (844-860).   The surname MacQuarrie is an angelized version of  the Gaelic name Mac Guaire, which means “proud” or “noble”.  It is believed that the progenitor of the clan was Guaire, the brother of Fingon, the progenitor of the MacKinnon Clan.

The Motto of the clan is Turris Fortis Meus Mihi Deus, which translates into “God is a strong tower to me”, and its crest features  a dexter arm in armour embowed, the hand grasping a dagger projected fessways all Proper, Issuant from a tower head embattled and crenellated Argent.

The MacQuarrie’s owned the islands of Ulva, Staffa, Gometra and controlled large tracks of land on the Island of Mull.  The MacQuarrie family gained control over these lands sometime before the 11th century and held them up until the mid-eighteenth century.  Unfortunately, the family papers and documents were destroyed in a fire in 1688 and again  in 1777 so there are few records of the MacQuarries administration of these territories.

Currently Clan MacQuarrie does not have a recognized chief.  Their last official chief was Lauchlan MacQuarrie of Ulva, the 16th chief of the clan, who was forced, in 1778, to sell off the clan’s property, to pay creditors.  At the age of 63 Lauchlan left Scotland and served in the American Civil war.  He died in 1818 at the age of 103 with no male heirs.