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Donnachaidh Clan Crest

Clan Donnachaidh Crest
Clan Donnachaidh Crest
CREST: Dexter hand holding up an imperial crown Proper
MOTTO: Virtutis gloria merces
TRANSLATION: Glory is the reward of valour
TARTAN: Red ground, Green and Blue Checks, Green and Blue Lines
VARIATIONS: Robertson
The Scottish Clan Donnachaidh, also known as the “Children of Duncan,” has a rich and fascinating history that spans over a thousand years. The clan’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Pictish nation, one of the earliest known inhabitants of Scotland.

The Kaledonioi, one of the eleven tribes of the northern Pictish nation, inhabited the area now known as Atholl in Perthshire, Scotland. In 84 AD, the Kaledonioi fought in the famous battle known as Mons Graupius against the Romans. This was one of the first recorded entries on this people, and it was just the beginning of the clan’s long and proud history.

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The Clan Donnachaidh traces its descent from King Malcolm II, who reigned from 1005 to 1034. Malcolm was the last king in the direct male line to descend from Kenneth MacAlpine, the founder of Scotland. One of Malcolm’s three daughters, Bethoc, married Crinan, the secular hereditary Abbot of Dunkeld. Through her, the Abbot’s son, Duncan, was installed by Malcolm as the King of Cumbria in 1018.

The first recognized chief of the Clan Donnachaidh was Donnachadh Reamhair or “Stout Duncan.” He led the clan and supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He played a key role in the famous victory at Bannockburn in 1314, which is still celebrated as a national holiday in Scotland today.

The Clan Donnachaidh Society in Scotland was founded in 1893 to maintain and renew the family bond among a clan that had become scattered throughout the world. There are now branches of the society all over the world, including 14 in North America. The society organizes events, reunions, and activities to keep the clan’s heritage alive and to connect members of the clan who live far from their ancestral homeland.

The Clan Donnachaidh is known for its strong and independent spirit, its fierce loyalty to family and community, and its commitment to preserving Scottish traditions and culture. Members of the clan proudly wear their tartan, which is green and blue with a black stripe, and display their clan crest, which features a stag’s head and the Latin motto “virtutis regia merces,” or “royal reward for valor.”

The Scottish Clan Donnachaidh has a rich and storied history that spans over a thousand years. From their origins in the ancient Pictish nation to their support for Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence, to their modern-day efforts to maintain their family bond and heritage, the Clan Donnachaidh is a testament to the enduring spirit and traditions of Scotland.

Citations:

  • – Descriptive catalogue of the clan tartans and family tartans of Scotland with a brief note on their antiquity: also roll of the landlords and Baillies of lands in the Highlands and isles, A.D. 1587: roll of the clans; badges of the clans,
  • – John Catto and Company, King Street, Toronto, CanadaScottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia”, by Collins, HarperCollins Publishers 1994
Clan Donnachaidh Scottish History Poster