Clan Shaw Crest
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CREST: A savage with dexter cubit arm couped and holding a club erect all Proper MOTTO: Fide et fortitudine TRANSLATION: By faith and fortitude VARIATIONS: N/A |
| The story of Clan Shaw starts with Shaw Macduff, a descendant of Duncan, Earl, or Thane of Fife. Shaw Macduff was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the strategic royal castle at Inverness by King Malcolm IV. This marked the clan’s initial steps into the pages of Scottish history.
Over time, Shaw’s descendants, known as the ‘Mhic an Toiseach’ or ‘sons of the thane,’ consolidated their power in the Inverness region, staunchly supporting the royal government. Their influence expanded with Shaw Macwilliam’s acquisition of significant lands at Rothiemurchus in 1236. However, the clan faced constant threats from neighboring clans, especially Clan Comyn. To bolster their position, Ferquard, the son of Shaw Macwilliam, forged a strategic alliance by marrying Mora, the daughter of Angus Mhor, Lord of Islay. This alliance played a pivotal role in shaping the clan’s future. |
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| The most significant milestone in Clan Shaw’s history came in 1291 when Ferquard’s son, Angus, married Eva, the daughter of Dougall Dall, a descendant of Ghillechattan Mhor. This union led to the birth of the large tribal confederation known as Clan Chattan. Additionally, it marked the emergence of Clan Shaw as a distinct entity within Clan Chattan, with John, the second son of Angus and Eva, becoming the first chief of Clan Shaw.
As the clan continued to grow, it became embroiled in regional conflicts, most notably the long-standing feud with Clan Comyn. Clan Chattan rallied behind Robert the Bruce, fighting valiantly at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and participating in Scottish invasions of England in 1318 and 1319. The feud with Clan Cameron, which had led to the Battle of Invernahavon, continued to threaten the region’s stability. To settle the dispute, a trial by combat of champions was proposed, with Shaw ‘Bucktooth’ leading Clan Chattan to the battleground at the North Inch of Perth in September 1396. This historic event, witnessed by luminaries such as Robert III and the Dauphin of France, solidified Clan Chattan’s place in Scottish history. As the centuries passed, Clan Shaw continued to prosper. Aedh, the grandson of Shaw ‘Bucktooth,’ settled at Tordarroch in 1468, establishing a powerful force in their own right known as Clan Aedh or Clan Ay. In the 18th century, Clan Shaw played significant roles in the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745. Notably, Clan Shaw members were known for their discipline, equipment, and bravery, with some individuals, like Angus of Tordarroch, facing personal conflicts over allegiance during these tumultuous times. In 1970, Major Iain Shaw of Tordarroch received recognition from the Lord Lyon in the undifferenced arms of the name, signifying an unbroken continuity to the ancient earls of Fife. Today, the Clan Shaw legacy lives on through its tartans, including the distinctive Shaw of Tordarroch tartan and the green Shaw tartan, symbolizing the clan’s resilience and commitment, even in the face of adversity. |
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