Bagtown Clans

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Clan Nairn Crest

Clan Nairn Crest
Clan Nairn Crest
CREST: A celestial globe on a stand Proper
MOTTO: Plus ultra
TRANSLATION: More beyond this
VARIATIONS: N/A
The annals of Clan Nairn trace back to the early days of Scottish history. One of the earliest known records introduces us to Adam de Marryn, a chaplain at the altar of the Blessed Virgin in Inverness. This marks the beginning of the Nairn name’s presence in the region.

Alexander Nairn of Sandford left his indelible mark as Comptroller of the Royal Household to James II, a position that reflected his influence and trustworthiness in the royal court. His involvement in peace negotiations with England in 1547 underscores his role as a diplomat and statesman.

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Robert Nairne’s legacy resonates in the world of justice. As Lord President of the Court of Session, he held the highest judicial office in Scotland. His son, Robert Nairne of Strathford, distinguished himself as a royalist supporter of Charles I, enduring imprisonment in the Tower of London after the Battle of Worcester. A testament to their commitment to principle and crown.

The Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745 are pivotal in Clan Nairn’s history. The second Lord Nairne’s support for the 1715 rising saw him captured, his title forfeited, and his life spared. The tragic Battle of Culloden saw Robert Nairne’s sacrifice, and his brother John’s exile to France after the defeat.

The threads of loyalty weave through generations. William Nairne’s restoration to peerage showcases the family’s resilience. His marriage to the celebrated Jacobite poet Carolina Oliphant brings a touch of artistry to the clan’s history, with her famed songs echoing through time.

From legal luminaries like Sir William Nairne of Dunsinnan, who ascended to the Bench with the title ‘Lord Dunsinnan’, to trailblazers like Michael Nairne of Kirkcaldy, whose impact on the Scottish linoleum industry resonates to this day, the Nairn name continued to mark itself in various fields.

Charles Nairne’s journey across the Atlantic led him to become a Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University in New York. And Ainslie Nairn of Ballincrieff carries forward the clan’s legacy in the legal realm, particularly in matters of peerage and heraldry.

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, Canada
  • Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia”, by Collins, HarperCollins Publishers 1994