Cairns Clan Crest
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CREST: A Yellow Blossom MOTTO: Effloresco TRANSLATION: Blossom VARIATIONS: N/A |
| Clan Cairns is a Scottish clan that can trace its history back to the lands of Cairns in the parish of Mid Calder near Edinburgh. While the clan does not have an official motto or badge, it has a rich and fascinating history that is worth exploring.
According to historian William Black, the first recorded member of the Cairns family was William de Carnys, who witnessed a charter in 1349. William and his son Duncan held the baronies of Easter and Wester Whitburn, and the name Cairns appears in many deeds in the Midlothian and West Lothian areas. The name Cairns is still common in the Edinburgh area. |
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| The Cairns family was quick to recognize the advantages of emigrating to the new settlements in Ulster, and the name appears in Ulster from the early sixteenth century. Over time, members of the Cairns family would spread to other parts of the world, including Australia.
One of the most notable members of the Cairns family was Hugh Cairns, who was raised to the peerage as Lord Cairns in 1867 and was promoted to the rank of earl in 1878. Hugh Cairns was a distinguished lawyer and was appointed to the office of Lord Chancellor of Great Britain in 1876. His coat of arms proclaims his descent from the ancient family of Cairns of that Ilk, bearing the same three gold martlets on a red field differenced only by a silver border bearing three green trefoils. Another prominent member of the Cairns family was Sir William Cairns, who served as the Governor of Queensland in Australia from 1875 to 1877. The northern city and port that bears his name was founded in 1870 and is now one of Australia’s most important tourist centers. While the Cairns clan may not be as well-known as some of the more prominent Scottish clans, its history is no less fascinating. The Cairns family’s legacy is one of resilience, determination, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. From their roots in Mid Calder to their influence in the legal and political realms, the Cairns family has left its mark on both Scotland and the wider world. |
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