Clan Irvine

Clan Irvine or Clan Irving is a lowland Scottish Clan originating in the Ayrshire region of Scotland.  The surname Irvine was derived from the name of the town of Irvine, located in Ayrshire.  Irvine is a Welsh term that means Green or fresh river.   The first recorded evidence of the surname was from Robertus de Irvine who owned a barony in the 13th century, where the town of Irvine currently sits.  It is believed that the Irvine family may have been descendants of the early Celtic monarchs of Scotland and were settled between the River Esk and the River Kirtle sometime after 1018.

The clan’s motto is Sub Sole Sub Umbra Virens which translates into “Vigorous both under the sun and shade”, and the clans crest features a banded sheaf of nine holly leaves.

The historic seat of the clan was Drum Castle located near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  It was built in the 13th century by famous medieval architect Richard Cementarius.  In 1325 the castle and it’s grounds were granted to William de Irwyn by Robert the Bruce.  The Irvine’s were neighbors and therefore supporters of the Bruce Family during the Scottish Civil War.  The castle remained property of Clan Irvine until 1975 when Forbes Irvine passed ownership of the Castle to the National Trust of Scotland.  The castle is currently a tourist attraction claiming to have almost 50000 visitors per year.

During the Jacobite rising of 1715, Clan Irvine supported the Jacobites and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir.  the chief of the clan, the Laird of Drum was killed by a head wound during the battle leaving no male heir.  The clan leadership passed to his uncle John Irving.  The Irvine’s again supported the Jacobites in 1745 and fought at culloden in 1746.  After their defeat the chief of the clan had to flee Scotland and exile in France for several years until he was able to return to Drum Castle.