Clan MacGill Crest
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CREST: A phoenix in flames Proper MOTTO: Sine Fine TRANSLATION: Without end VARIATIONS: McGill, Makgill |
| According to the eminent historian George Fraser Black, the surname MacGill derives from “Mac an ghoill,” which translates to “son of the lowlander” or “son of the stranger.” The clan’s presence can be traced back to the ancient lands of Galloway, even before the thirteenth century. In 1231, Maurice Macgeil witnessed a charter of Maldouen, Earl of Lennox, to the church of St Thomas the Martyr of Arbroath, marking an early documented connection to the region.
During the reign of James V of Scotland, Clan MacGill saw the rise of influential figures who left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. James Makgill, a descendant of the Galloway family, emerged as a prominent Edinburgh merchant and later assumed the role of Provost of Edinburgh. He became an ardent supporter of the reformed religion, and his son, Sir James Makgill, acquired the estate of Nether Rankeillour in Fife. |
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| Sir James Makgill, a respected scholar and member of the College of Justice and the Lord of Session, further strengthened the family’s legacy. He was bestowed with the judicial title “Lord Rankeillor” and developed a close friendship with the eminent religious reformer John Knox. His journey, however, was not without turmoil. Implicated in the murder of Queen Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio, Lord Rankeillor faced the loss of his judicial rank and exile from Edinburgh. Despite the setbacks, he was later pardoned and reinstated, showcasing his resilience and enduring commitment.
The legacy continued through subsequent generations, as Clan MacGill witnessed a line of illustrious individuals holding prestigious titles and positions of influence. The family’s involvement in diplomacy and their connection to the courts of Scotland and England further solidified their prominence in Scottish society. The 18th century brought forth a period of dispute within Clan MacGill regarding its chiefship and titles. After the death of Robert Makgill, second Viscount Oxfuird, with no male heirs, claims were made by James Makgill of Nether-Rankeillor and William Maitland, son of Christian Makgill. The House of Lords, however, rejected both claims, leaving the title dormant. In subsequent years, the Nether-Rankeillor estates passed through an heiress to Frederick Maitland, who assumed the surname Maitland Makgill. Notably, one member of this branch, David Maitland Makgill, successfully established the right to the chiefship of Clan Crichton in 1980, conforming to the requirements of the Lord Lyon King of Arms. In a significant turn of events, George Hubbard Makgill was recognized as the thirteenth Viscount of Oxfuird and the chief of Clan MacGill in 1986. The mantle of leadership passed to Ian Arthur Alexander Makgill, the fourteenth Viscount of Oxfuird, the present-day chief of the clan. |
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