Ainslie Clan Crest
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CREST: Issuing out of a cap of maintenance a naked arm embowed grasping a scymitar all Proper MOTTO: Gude in need TRANSLATION: Good in need VARIATIONS: Ainsley |
| Clan Ainslie is a proud Scottish family with a rich and fascinating history. The family has its roots in England, but they fled to Scotland in the face of the advancing forces of William the Conqueror and became settled in lands around Dolphinstone. Over the centuries, the Ainslies have been involved in many important events, from mediating disputes to participating in the Crusades, and from opposing Robert the Bruce to serving as ambassadors and military leaders. | |
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| One of the most notable members of the Ainslie family was Sir Robert Ainslie, who served as the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at Constantinople from 1776 to 1792. He was also a Member of Parliament and was created a baronet in 1804. Sir Robert is best remembered today for his three volumes of drawings and sketches of Egypt, which provide a fascinating glimpse into life in that part of the world in the late 18th century.
Another important figure in the Ainslie family was Robert Ainslie, a lawyer who was born on January 13, 1766. He became a friend and confidant of the poet Robert Burns and traveled through the Borders with him. Ainslie later visited Burns at Ellisland, where he was given a manuscript copy of Tam o’ Shanter, which he later presented to the writer Sir Walter Scott. General Charles de Ainslie was another distinguished member of the Ainslie family. He commanded the 93rd Highland Regiment, which has passed into legend as the “Thin Red Line,” at the Battle of Balaclave in 1854. This shows that the Ainslies have not only been accomplished in diplomacy, law, and the arts, but also in the military. The Ainslies have also secured their fortunes through strategic alliances by marriage with other prominent Borders families, such as the Pringles, Douglases, Homes, and Kerrs. Marjory, daughter of John Ainslie, married Mark Kerr of Cessford, a doughty warrior known as the Terror of the Borders. The Ainslies were also known for their legal acumen, and David Ainslie of Costerton, who died in 1900, left a fortune amassed from his legal practice to build the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh. The Ainslie family has a long and proud history, and their legacy of courage and accomplishment continues to inspire generations. There is a memorial to the Ainslie family on the wall of the parish church of South Leith, reminding us of the important role they have played in the history of Scotland. Whether you are a member of the Ainslie family or just an admirer of their rich heritage, it is clear that they have left a lasting mark on the world. |
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