Clan Dundas

Clan Dundas is a highland Scottish Clan originating in the West Lothian district of Scotland.  The surname Dundas was derived from the town of Dundas located near Edinburgh.  The placename is Gaelic in origin and translates into “a fort south”. It is believed that the Dundas family in Scotland extends back to the 12th century when Helias, son of Uctred, received lands in West Lothian from then king, Malcolm IV.   The first recorded use of the surname Dundas comes from a deed signed in the late 12th century by Serle de Dundas.

The clan motto is Essayez meaning “Try”, and the clan’s crest features a lion’s head, affrontée, looking through a bush of oak, Proper.

The historic seat of the clan is Dundas Castle located  in the Dalmeny parish of West Lothian.  In 1416, James Dundas was granted a permit to build a keep, from the Duke of Albany, who was at that time ruling Scotland.  The Keep was extended in 1436 turning it into a home and a fortress.  The Castle was again expanded in 1544 adding the Great Hall.  Parts of the castle were torn down and rebuilt in 1818 by James Dundas.  the Dundases were forced to sell the castle in 1875 due to financial difficulties.  The castle is currently owned privately.

In the 18th century Henry Dundas was created 1st Viscount Melville and was given the task of managing Scotland for then British Prime Minister William Pitt.  Henry was so powerful in Scotland that many referred to him as the “Uncrowned King of Scotland”.  Under Henry’s leadership many of the  Scottish Clans were able to gain back their estates that they had forfeited during the Jacobite Uprising of 1745.  The clans were also allowed, to once again, wear their specific tartans without fear of reprisals from the government.